# Core D: Physiology Core for the Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic Networks (PC-MN)

> **NIH NIH P20** · MAINEHEALTH · 2021 · $265,022

## Abstract

The long-term goal of the Physiology Core for the Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic
Networks COBRE (PC-MN) is to provide high quality tissue, cellular, and in vivo phenotyping services
for Maine Medical Center Research Institute COBRE scientists and other internal investigators, and to
share resources with outside investigators. The proposed PC-MN is built on the premise that in order to
elucidate the fundamental homeostatic mechanisms of metabolism in the mammal, there must be a
standing Core to offer phenotyping services as well as intellectual resources to guide investigator-
initiated studies. To achieve this goal, the PC-MN will become the investigative `home' for whole body
and tissue phenotyping for each proposed project in the COBRE. Four specific aims are proposed:
First, the PC-MN will integrate the infrastructure previously developed in the Physiology Core (as part
of the Stem Cell COBRE) and then expand services for in vivo phenotyping in the current COBRE
projects. We will offer an array of biochemical assays for investigators for comprehensive hematologic,
metabolic and skeletal phenotyping. We will perform dynamic metabolic phenotyping (e.g. energy
expenditure, food consumption, physical activity) in animal models and expand services. This will
include additional metabolic cages housed in a temperature-controlled chamber, with telemetry for core
body temperature analysis, augmented by thermal imaging capabilities, and in vivo NMR and DXA.
Second, the PC-MN will provide advanced cellular and mitochondrial bioenergetics by measuring
oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in cells, selective tissues (e.g. 3D adipose cell cultures in vitro,
visceral and inguinal white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, neonatal metatarsals, and calvariae)
and mitochondria. Third, the PC-MN will counsel investigators in defining the optimal experimental
design and then analyzing metabolic profiling of mutant strains, total and fractional tissue mass, energy
expenditure, biochemical markers and substrate utilization. Fourth, the PC-MN will maintain the
highest quality control while instituting metrics to assess services on a yearly basis. We will continually
define and re-evaluate cost structures including charge-back fees for non-COBRE users to insure that
the PC-MN will be able to support further expansion of services with new methodologies from
colleagues and collaborating scientists. Successful expansion of Physiology Core services and
integration with four projects in this COBRE will benefit individual investigators by providing
high quality data sets for their proposed projects and for planning future R01 applications.
Insights from these basic and translational studies could ultimately be applied in clinical trials
of individuals with osteoporosis and obesity.!

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10246813
- **Project number:** 5P20GM121301-05
- **Recipient organization:** MAINEHEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** CLIFFORD JAMES ROSEN
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $265,022
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10246813

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10246813, Core D: Physiology Core for the Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic Networks (PC-MN) (5P20GM121301-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10246813. Licensed CC0.

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