# COBRE in Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic Networks - Metabolic Phenotyping Equipment

> **NIH NIH P20** · MAINEHEALTH · 2021 · $249,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Whole body metabolism is regulated by integration of multiple tissues, including adipose tissue, the skeleton,
and bone marrow. Imbalanced regulation of these tissues leads to prevalent, chronic disorders, obesity and
osteoporosis. Adipocyte precursors and osteoprogenitor cells share a common mesenchymal precursor, and
are highly regulated during aging, under nutritional stress, and in temperature regulation. There is growing
appreciation that the sympathetic nervous system plays a unique role in metabolic regulation in normal health
and disease, although mechanisms are just starting to be uncovered. Our program goal is to define specific
molecular and signaling pathways that integrate brain, bone, and adipose tissue regulation of metabolic
networks. This COBRE was initiated with four projects that test complementary aspects of adipocyte and
skeletal metabolic function, and their regulation by central nervous system input. Project 1 (A. Brown) studies
the role of BMP signaling in brown adipogenesis and thermogenic activity, and is optimizing thermogenic
capacity in human iPS-derived brown adipocytes. Project 2 (M. Reagan) addressed bone marrow adipose
tissue, a depot that is regulated during osteoporosis and obesity. Dr. Reagan has graduated with her own
independent R37 funding. Her project was replaced by A. Guntur, who studies mechanisms of mitophagy and
cellular bioenergetics in osteoblast differentiation. Project 3 (C. Duarte) is a translational project addressing
the consequences of atypical antipsychotics on bone fracture risk. Project 4 (K. Motyl) is complementary to
Project 3, and uses mouse models to test the novel hypothesis that risperidone acts on the central nervous
system to target bone loss directly or via activation of brown adipose tissue. Dr. Motyl will be graduating this
year, as she will be receiving her first R01. Two new junior investigator recruits are in process, and COBRE
unobligated funds have been set aside for these recruitments. The COBRE projects are supported by an
Administrative and Professional Development Core that oversees a pilot project program. Our successful pilot
project program has supported investigators who have gone on to acquire NIH funding. We also support the
scientific cores: (i) Proteomics and Lipidomics Core (C. Vary), (ii) Histopathology and Histomorphometry
Core (V. Lindner), and (iii) Physiology Core (C. Rosen). This administrative supplement request is for a
Promethion 8 cage multiplexed metabolic and behavioral monitoring system with temperature cabinet
from Sable Systems, which will enhance our current 16 cage system and address the high demand, which is
causing a bottleneck in research productivity. In addition, this acquisition will allow for the implementation of a
treadmill and temperature controlled studies as part of the metabolic and behavioral capacity of this core
facility.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10396172
- **Project number:** 3P20GM121301-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** MAINEHEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Lucy Liaw
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $249,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10396172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10396172, COBRE in Mesenchymal and Neural Regulation of Metabolic Networks - Metabolic Phenotyping Equipment (3P20GM121301-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10396172. Licensed CC0.

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