# Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium - Colorado Clinical Center

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2020 · $2,650,000

## Abstract

Physical activity (PA) has numerous and profound benefits on health and function, yet there is limited
knowledge of the mechanistic signals that underlie these benefits. Such knowledge is critical for optimizing the
effective use of PA as a preventive or therapeutic intervention strategy for specific diseases and in specific
populations. The overarching goal of the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) is
to address this knowledge gap by characterizing the molecular responses to PA. This will be accomplished
through the collection of blood and tissue samples from both humans and animals, which will then be
subjected to extensive “Omics” analyses. By generating a comprehensive map of molecular responses to
PA, MoTrPAC will lay the foundation for a new era of biomedical research on Precision Exercise
Medicine. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU-AMC) is exceptionally well poised to
lead a MoTrPAC Adult Clinical Center and to contribute to all Consortium activities. Our investigators and
collaborators have extensive experience with complex clinical PA intervention trials, including tissue sampling,
in cohorts spanning the entire adult age spectrum. Our expertise extends across multiple physiological
systems, diseases, and health conditions, and includes broad proficiency in physiologic, metabolic, and
morphometric phenotyping. The facilities at CU-AMC for MoTrPAC activities are outstanding. The proposed
MoTrPAC – Colorado Clinical Center will accomplish the following Specific Aims (SA):
SA1: Contribute to, and lead when appropriate, all MoTrPAC Phase 1 planning activities (Year 1) described in
RFA-RM-15-015 through participation on the MoTrPAC Steering Committee and Subcomittees. The local goals
for Phase 1 will be to accomplish tasks (e.g., obtain regulatory approvals, train staff) that will enable Phase 2 to
start at the beginning of Year 2.
SA2: Recruit and enroll 450 adults at CU-AMC (or the number determined during Phase 1), conduct the acute
PA tests and PA intervention according to protocols established by the Consortium, and carry out all other
MoTrPAC Phase 2 activities (Years 2 to 5). Highly accomplished clinical investigators will lead the seven
“teams” that will be responsible for: recruitment, screening, and retention; physiologic, metabolic, and
morphometric phenotyping; biospecimen acquisition; biospecimen processing; acute PA tests; chronic PA
interventions; and data management and quality assurance.
SA3: As animal and human data become available from the Chemical Analysis Sites and Bioinformatics
Center, we will participate in all Phase 3 activities, including data analysis, preparation of manuscripts, and
dissemination of results. These activities will be guided by the MoTrPAC Steering Committee and
Subcommittees. On the local level, we will host an annual 1-day local symposium on PA, Health, and Fitness
to catalyze the interest of investigators at CU-AMC and other nearby academic instit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9847946
- **Project number:** 5U01AR071124-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Wendy M Kohrt
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,650,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-12-06 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9847946

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9847946, Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium - Colorado Clinical Center (5U01AR071124-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9847946. Licensed CC0.

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