# Metabolic Molecular Phenotyping Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $139,045

## Abstract

Project Summary - Metabolic Molecular Phenotyping Core
The purpose of the Metabolic Molecular Phenotyping Core (MMP) is to encourage and facilitate use of
molecular and nutritional biochemistry biomarkers for nutritional epidemiological and intervention studies, to
provide access to state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to bench scientists, and to provide cost-effective
assays for investigators without lab facilities. The Core specializes in high quality, validated ELISAs & multiplex
assays for metabolites and cytokines, assays for 1-carbon metabolites, fatty acids and phospholipid fatty acid
analyses. The MMP Core also is dedicated to providing both services and training for cell cytometry/sorting,
assessment of mitochondrial function and glycolysis (Seahorse), and a range of other molecular biology
techniques. The Core gives free advice on biomarker selection and sample handling, provides cost-effective
assays for NORC members, provides exceptional quality control, and assists members with data interpretation.
MMP Core services are unique and do overlap not with the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences
Institute (NC TraCS) or other Core services. Since the last submission, the MMP Core has expanded to the
NRI campus (two hours from Chapel Hill in Kannapolis, NC) to make use of unique equipment and to broaden
access to services for NORC members (12 of which are located in Kannapolis). NORC funding is appropriately
divided so as to support services unique to each site and services requiring on-site equipment such as cell
sorting.
The MMP Core has sufficient equipment and qualified personnel to perform the required assays. Personnel
have been hired in anticipation of increased needs, and assay configurations may be adjusted and re-priced to
reflect savings based on higher throughput or alternative methods. This flexibility demonstrates the Core's
ability to adapt to the changing needs and fiscal constraints of our clients. Assay quality is assessed by
tracking coefficients of variation (CVs) for quality control samples that are run with each assay, or supplied by
kits as the case may be. Internal standards are used where appropriate. Users are advised on sample
processing and shipping to make sure the data is of the highest quality. User satisfaction is tracked in an
annual survey.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9889115
- **Project number:** 5P30DK056350-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Melinda A. Beck
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $139,045
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9889115

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9889115, Metabolic Molecular Phenotyping Core (5P30DK056350-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9889115. Licensed CC0.

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