UMICH Animal Studies Core

Overview of Services

The Animal Phenotyping Core Our Mission: To offer researchers the ability to perform advanced, standardized, metabolic phenotyping studies using a variety of animal models. To provide efficient, low cost project execution and data analysis performed by our staff. To offer consultations involving the design, execution, and analysis of metabolic-related studies in rodents. To maintain an innovative and technologically advanced research core in order to provide the best service to investigators. To order a test click here.

The Islet Core offers different services: rat or mouse islets isolation, islet perifusion, respirometry, transfection, insulin secretion assays; insulin, glucagon, Ki67 and TUNEL immunostaining and β- and α-cell mass and proliferation/apoptosis quantification. In situ imaging of fluorescent islets in appropriatley labeled genetically engineered mouse models.

For islets, investigators can provide the mice (ULAM needs to be notified several days ahead of time for such transfers), or we can directly order them for an additional cost from approved vendors (e.g., Jackson Labs). Depending on the needs of the investigators, the islets are then either immediately used for RNA or protein extraction or cultured overnight in RPMI culture media with 10% serum. An additional option is that we can now perform perifusion studies which allow the continuous monitoring of the dynamic islet responses to acute changes in glucose levels or in response to a secretagogue of the investigators choice.

The Neural Control of Metabolism Core  will provide access to custom equipment, techniques, and expertise that can be used assess the role of specific neuronal populations in physiology and behavior. These techniques include in vivo intracellular calcium measurements with fiber photometry to monitor neuronal activity and in vivo optogenetic manipulation of cell activity in awake freely moving animals. NCOM studies will take advantage of the novel genetic models developed within the individual PI. 

Leadership

Location and hours of operation

Animal Phenotyping Core:

Islet Core:

NCOM:

Links and Resources

1. Michigan Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center in Live Models (MMPC-Live)
2. Metabolic, Physiological and Behavioral Phenotyping Core
3. Caswell Diabetes Institute (CDI) Islet program
4. CDI Islet Core

Contacts