Integrated Metabolic Physiology Core

The ability to query dynamic metabolic states in vivo and ex vivo under genetic or therapeutic manipulation or physiologic perturbational conditions is critical to pathway discovery in diabetes and metabolic science. The Integrated Metabolic Physiology Core (IMPC) provides a comprehensive platform for the design, execution, and interpretation of highly specialized procedures to study metabolic physiology in vivo using murine models and ex vivo using cells and islets, including human cell systems. 

The IMPC supports the efforts of Vanderbilt Diabetes Research Center investigators in three key ways:

• Provides sophisticated in vivo metabolic phenotyping services in rodent models. These services include a variety of surgical approaches (e.g., vascular catheterization, brain cannulation, bariatric surgery), experimental methodologies to assess metabolic fluxes using sophisticated isotopic tracer techniques under conditions that test insulin action, pancreatic function, counter-regulation, and exercise capacity, and measurements of energy balance components (i.e., food intake, energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, activity). Measurements are made in rodents in which phenotypes are provoked by interventions such as pharmacological treatments, diet, and alterations to light/dark cycles. Most of the experimental samples are analyzed in the VDRC’s Analytical Services Core.
• Provides ex vivo platforms for metabolic analyses to complement in vivo services, including murine islet isolation, static hormone secretion, and islet perifusion, including measurements of intracellular signaling molecules (Ca2+, cAMP, ATP) and membrane potential using genetically encoded sensors in islets, human islets, human pseudoislets, and other cell types.
• Promotes standardization and transparency in methods used to assess phenotypes to improve rigor/reproducibility. IMPC also trains VDRC investigators through courses on best practices for metabolic phenotyping. Of note, the IMPC and NIDDK’s Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center at Vanderbilt complement each other, with the MMPC providing services to investigators outside Vanderbilt (excluding VDRC investigators) and the IMPC providing critical services for VDRC scientists. 

The IMPC is led by experts in metabolic studies and islet physiology (Drs. Ayala, Jacobson, Lantier) and supported by technical staff with more than 20 years’ experience. For more information about IMPC services and pricing, please contact Louise Lantier.