METABOLIC AND CELLULAR PHENOTYPING CORE

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The overall objective of the Metabolic and Cellular Phenotyping Core (MCPC) at the University of Washington Diabetes Research Center is to provide affiliates with analyses of glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function and intracellular signaling to support research of diabetes, obesity and related disorders. To achieve this goal, the Core aims to: (1) Provide in vivo assessments of metabolic phenotypes in rodent models important in diabetes research; (2) Provide real time cellular function analysis using in vitro perifusion and Seahorse systems (3) Provide static assessment of cellular metabolism and function in vitro; (4) Harvest, isolate and culture primary tissue from rodents, including islets and islet cells, liver, retina and brain, for subsequent morphological and functional characterization, as well as to procure human islets for the same purposes; (5) Offer training and consultation to affiliates, their trainees and staff; and (6) Develop new analytical tools requested by affiliates to support their studies of the metabolic regulation of cell function as it relates to research in diabetes, obesity and related disorders. Since inception of the Core in 2002, in vitro analysis has been the major focus. Cell and tissue types that have been analyzed include islets, retina, skeletal myocytes, stem cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, adipocytes, endothelial cells, neurons and hepatocytes. During the last funding cycle, in vivo services were added to combine both the detailed and mechanistic analyses provided in cell and tissue studies with the ability to test the roles of identified processes in whole body settings. Whole animal studies currently offered include glycemic clamps, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, islet transplantation, CT/PET imaging, continuous glucose monitor implant and pancreatic ductal infusion of adeno- associated viruses. With the ability to provide in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro services, the Core can better serve the needs of the Center’s research base. As diabetes affects metabolism and signaling in many cell types, the services of the MCPC continue to be of great value to many Center affiliate investigators. The Core plans to continue to provide users with systematic and integrated approaches to the analysis of a wide range of tissues/cell types that are critically involved in diabetes and its complications, obesity and related disorders.