# Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics (Core C)

> **NIH NIH P30** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $229,409

## Abstract

MBMG Core 
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT 
The Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics (MBMG) Core has served the NYORC obesity research community 
for the past 4 cycles of this grant. The MBMG Core provides critical research support for obesity-related clinical 
and basic research activities in the area of molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and model organism 
characterization. The services are widely used and have increased productivity of NORC investigators, while 
curtailing costs and facilitating access to advanced genomics technologies. 
The primary objective of this Core is to assist investigators to apply the tools and technologies of molecular 
genetics and genomics to elucidate the molecular-genetic bases for the pathogenesis and 
medical/physiological co-morbidities of obesity. The Specific Aims of the MBMG Core are: 1) To facilitate the 
application of molecular genetics to problems of obesity by providing expert consultation on both study design 
and applicable molecular biological techniques; 2) To provide standard laboratory services to young 
investigators and those without formal labs for studies related to obesity; 3) To develop and make available 
new cutting edge research tools and reagents. To these ends, the MBMG Core offers, among others, 
consultation and services, including gene expression, DNA extraction, genotyping, DNA and RNA sequencing, 
bacterial phylogenetic characterization by 16s rRNA, mouse transgenics, stem cell derivation and 
differentiation, and genome editing with CRISPR Cas9, analytic tools related to these techniques. Core 
services are of 3 basic types: (i) On-site Direct Services. (ii) Consultative-Collaborative with Institutional Cores. 
(iii) Consultative-Referral. To gain access to cutting-edge technologies, avoid duplication and to maximally 
leverage our resources, we collaborate extensively with other local Core facilities and laboratories. Core 
personnel provide assistance ranging from study design to execution of studies and data interpretation. We 
particularly emphasize service to young investigators and holders of P&F grants. The Core has been active in 
developing new research tools and reagents, and has played an essential role in establishing iPS cell 
technology for our community. Our R&D activities are focused on developing new tools and reagents for brain 
research and genetic manipulations in cells and model animals. The MBMG Core has been a nexus for 
intellectual exchange and collaboration, and an important training venue for students, fellows and young 
faculty. During the past cycle, the Core responded to >3,000 service requests from 34 NORC users supported 
by 49 grants, in addition to 11 non-ORC members. These services helped investigators generate 35 new 
grants and 147 publications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9901512
- **Project number:** 5P30DK026687-40
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Wendy K Chung
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $229,409
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2021-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9901512

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9901512, Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics (Core C) (5P30DK026687-40). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9901512. Licensed CC0.

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