# Metabolic Regulation Core

> **NIH NIH U2C** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $464,354

## Abstract

The Metabolic Regulation Core (MRC) provides services that are distinct in that they permit
complex study of mouse models without handling or stress. The MRC has continually refined its
methodology to accurately assess metabolism in healthy, conscious mice. The Core has
improved the accuracy of methods to measure metabolic flux using isotopes and developed
blood replacement methods to prevent anemia due to blood withdrawal. Besides the unique
skills of the MRC in chronically implanting catheters into the carotid artery and jugular vein for
sampling and infusions, it has developed techniques to catheterize the portal vein and stomach
to deliver hormones and nutrients by their physiologic routes. The MRC has developed
experimental designs to apply stable isotopes to measure hepatic metabolic flux in vivo and in
vitro. The ability of the MRC to gain vascular access in the absence of stress permits flexibility
as well as sophistication. For example the intracerebroventricular delivery of a compound on
whole body metabolic flux or hormone secretion has been assessed. Additional services include
in vitro perfusion techniques (liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle). It partners with the DRTC Islet
Procurement and Analysis Core to provide high quality islets to investigators as well as tools to
characterize islet function. MRC has developed novel imaging technology to study metabolic
processes in real time at the physiological and molecular levels. Imaging Resources include: a
multi-photon excitation confocal microscope to visualize real time kinetics of calcium, NAD(P)H,
pH the movement of biomolecules (e.g. insulin) across the vascular endothelium and tissue
blood flow using fluorescent probes in whole organ preparations and in vivo; The MRC provides
state-of-the-art technology to comprehensively characterize metabolic regulation in mouse
models of metabolic disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9972939
- **Project number:** 5U2CDK059637-20
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** OWEN P MCGUINNESS
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $464,354
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9972939

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9972939, Metabolic Regulation Core (5U2CDK059637-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9972939. Licensed CC0.

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