# Core C: Phenotyping Core

> **NIH NIH U2C** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $440,434

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract – Core C. Metabolic, Physiological and Behavioral Phenotyping Core
The purpose and primary goals of the Metabolic, Physiological and Behavioral (MPB) Phenotyping Core are to
provide expert consultation, state-of-the art equipment, and technical services that are critical for the detailed in
vivo metabolic and behavioral phenotyping of mouse models of obesity, diabetes, and associated disorders. A
thorough understanding of the physiological responses to nutrients and environmental factors and of the
pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to diabetes and related metabolic diseases is required if we are
to effectively combat these conditions. However, the resources and technology necessary to phenotypically
probe whole animal models of altered glucose homeostasis and metabolism at a level that reveals basic
underlying mechanisms of control are not available in most investigators’ laboratories. The MPB Core meets
these needs through a comprehensive, convenient, and cost-effective menu of platforms that includes: 1)
Glucose homeostasis and metabolic clamps (the Core performs hyperinsulinemic clamp studies including
specialized analysis of metabolite storage and release in mice), 2) Whole animal metabolic assessment: The
CLAMS and Promethion indirect calorimetry systems are used to examine metabolic rate, respiratory
exchange ratio, food consumption, and locomotor activity in conventional mice or their germ-free counterparts,
3) In vivo lipid metabolism using 3H-labeled triglyceride, fatty acid, or glycerol for assessment of the tissue lipid
incorporation and disposal or lipolysis. 4) In vivo steady-state stable isotope labeling of metabolites (the core
performs bolus-continuous intravenous infusion to establish a steady-state of any given metabolite and
provides samples to an independent Metabolomics Core at the university for further analyses of metabolic
tracing or fluxes in tissues), 5) Automated blood/body fluids sampling and infusion utilizing a Culex/Empis
platform to remotely collect serial samples and infuse substances to freely behaving, unstressed mice, 6)
Mouse models of parabiosis, bariatric surgery, or germ-free mice. These models are provided by the Core and
subsequent phenotyping can be performed with the combined resources of all the Cores in the Michigan
MPMOD, 7) Exercise training and testing of running capacity including VO2max. 8) Basic behavioral tests to
determine general locomotor activity, anxiety, exploration habits, or spatial learning in mouse models of
metabolic dysfunction. 9) Ingestive behavior: Meal microstructure and reinforcing properties of dietary
constituents are measured in either home-cage or operant-conditioning paradigms. 10) in vivo fiber photometry
and optogenetic stimulation to monitor and manipulate activity in specific neuronal populations to assess their
role in metabolism and behavior. The MPB Core also provides consultation and advice on experimental
design, reliable dat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10772034
- **Project number:** 5U2CDK135066-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Nathan R. Qi
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $440,434
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-02-01 → 2028-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10772034

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10772034, Core C: Phenotyping Core (5U2CDK135066-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10772034. Licensed CC0.

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