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.

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

Animal Phenotyping Core:      
Malcolm Low, MD, PhD Mi-MMPC Director 734-647-1350 mjlow@med.umich.edu
Nathan Qi, MD, PhD Core Director 734-232-8223 nathanqi@med.umich.edu
Melanie Schmitt, MHA Lab Manager 734-764-7043 mlschmi@med.umich.edu
Islet Core:      

Scott Soleimanpour, MD

Corentin Cras-Méneur

Islet Core Director

Islet Laboratory Core Director

 

734-232-8165

ssol@med.umich.edu

corentin@med.umich.edu

Neuroendocrine Control of Metabolism (NCOM):      

Paula Goforth, PhD

Director   pgoforth@umich.edu

Location and hours of operation

Animal Phenotyping Core:

Hours Location

 Monday - Friday 
 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM  

 NCRC B020-30C
 2800 Plymouth Road
 Ann Arbor, MI, 48105

Islet Core:

Hours Location

 Monday - Friday 
 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM  

 Brehm Tower, Rm 5131
 1000 Wall St
 Ann Arbor, MI, 48105

NCOM:

Hours Location

 Monday - Friday 

 NCRC B020-311c
 2800 Plymouth Road
 Ann Arbor, MI, 48105

 

Links and Resources

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

Contacts

Name Role Phone Email Location
Nathan Qi. MD, PhD
Animal Phenotyping Core Director
 
734-232-8223
 
nathanqi@med.umich.edu
 
NCRC B20, Rm 30C
 
Scott Soleimanpour, MD
Islet Core Scientific Director
 
734-232-8150
 
ssol@med.umich.edu
 
Brehm Tower, Rm 6454
 
Corentin Cras-Méneur, PhD
Islet Core Director
 
734-232-8165
 
corentin@med.umich.edu
 
Brehm Tower, Rm 5131
 
Paula Goforth, PhD
NCOM Director
 
734-232-8166
 
pgoforth@umich.edu
 
NCRC 26-311C
 

Service list


Search available services: View: by category alphabetically
Islet Core Services (11)