Studies in animal models are vital if we are to add to the understanding of normal physiology as well as what goes wrong in conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. The expectation is that improving our overall understanding of metabolism and how various metabolic processes are controlled and integrated in whole animals will help identify strategies that could result in potential treatments for these debilitating conditions.

Our overall strategy is to:

• promote excellent science by facilitating scientific collaborations within the Institute and with external collaborators from academia and industry
• incorporate up-to-date technologies and new procedures to ensure continued scientific excellence and advance implementation of the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement – http://www.nc3rs.org.uk
• establish the Core as a recognized international centre of expertise in rodent metabolic phenotyping, and as a hub for training and a source of expert advice to internal and external collaborators

The Disease Model Core offers a wide range of support to researchers at the MDU and the Institute of Metabolic Science. The Core offers a range of specialised techniques available to both researchers within the institute and academic and external collaborators. The services offered include, but are not limited to, husbandry, breeding transgenic lines and general phenotyping.

We also work with investigators to develop the range of procedures we offer.

Specialised techniques available include:

Energy balance

• Indirect calorimetry with simultaneous measurement of water intake, food intake and physical activity, conducted at temperatures between 5-34°C
• Body composition by either DEXA or TD-NMR
• Food preference studies
• Acute exposure or chronic acclimation to environmental temperatures between 5-34°C

Insulin sensitivity

• Glucose tolerance tests (IP and Oral)
• Insulin tolerance tests (IP)
• Pyruvate tolerance tests (IP)
• Lipid tolerance tests (oral)
• Lipid uptake (oral)
• Euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamps (anaesthetised mice) with a range of tracers (commonly ¹⁴C-DOG and ³H-glucose)

Blood pressure measurement

We also support new investigators applying for a Home Office licence and with introducing new protocols, and train researchers in all aspects of metabolic phenotyping.

If you would like to know more about any of the activities offered by the Disease Model Core, please contact us using the link on the right.