# Animal Physiology Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · JOSLIN DIABETES CENTER · 2022 · $242,656

## Abstract

ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY CORE: Abstract
The purpose of the Joslin Diabetes Research Center (DRC) Animal Physiology Core is to provide technically
advanced physiological evaluation of rodents for the study of diabetes, obesity, and their associated
complications. These studies provide a critical platform for extension of molecular discoveries to in vivo settings
that provide critical insights for relevance to human metabolic diseases. The study of animal models is an integral
part of Joslin Research. In addition to study of rats and established mouse models, Joslin DRC investigators
have generated new strains of genetically engineered mice, the majority of which have been studied using the
Animal Physiology Core.
Services provided by the Animal Physiology enable investigators to quantify in vivo energy expenditure, activity
and fuel utilization; body composition and bone density; arterial blood pressure and blood glucose levels; and
hypoxia and hyperoxia. Equipment and expertise are available for in vivo and longitudinal animal imaging;
controlled exposure to cold and thermoneutral temperatures using diurnal incubators; exercise using a rodent
treadmill and activity wheel cages; assessment of muscle strength; and advanced retinal imaging and function.
In addition, the Animal Physiology Core provides a Gnotobiotic Mouse Facility to study the role of the microbiome
in metabolic diseases. Based on technological advances and needs of the DRC research base, the current
application proposes substantial advances in the capabilities for quantification of energy expenditure and fuel
utilization enabled by recent acquisition of a state-of the-art Sable Promethion System.
The Animal Physiology Core provided services to 19 Joslin DRC Investigators and 11 outside Investigators in
the past cycle. In addition, the Core educated investigators and fellows on the theoretical understanding of core
procedures and data collection, consulted on study design, and provided hands-on training for some procedures
and equipment. The Core has been essential in the publication of numerous papers, including many published
in high impact journals such as Cell Metabolism, Nature Medicine, Nature Metabolism, Journal of Clinical
Investigation, and Science Translational Medicine. Both institutional and DRC support for the Animal Physiology
Core are substantial and enable Joslin’s Research Base to make physiologically relevant discoveries with
potential for translation to improved treatments, prevention, and ultimately, cures for diabetes and related
metabolic disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10407756
- **Project number:** 2P30DK036836-36
- **Recipient organization:** JOSLIN DIABETES CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** LAURIE J GOODYEAR
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $242,656
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-02-15 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10407756

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10407756, Animal Physiology Core (2P30DK036836-36). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10407756. Licensed CC0.

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