Cores: HMPG

Human Metabolic Physiology and Genomics (HMPG) Core

The Human Metabolic Physiology and Genomics Core (MHPG) is a DRTC core that allows investigators access to a range of complex methods and procedures to study human metabolism. This core evolved from the Metabolic Physiology Shared Resource which has been part of the DRTC for more than 15 years. Because of the substantial increase in human-based metabolic investigation in the DRTC, we have expanded, reorganized, and assembled services to support human investigation into the MHPG. For many DRTC investigators, initiation of a translational or bioinformatic project is daunting with a very high activation energy. Indeed, a survey of DRTC investigators indicated great demand for both metabolic studies in humans and diabetes-specific support for genomic, transcriptomic, big data analyses, and requests to leverage robust existing Vanderbilt genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic resources for diabetes-related research. The goal of the HMPG is to lower this activation energy by facilitating the development of rigorous and testable metabolic hypotheses, study designs, study execution, analysis and interpretation of human metabolic, genomic, transcriptomic, or phenomic studies. In this way, the MHPG will provide DRTC investigators with platforms for the design, execution, and interpretation of highly specialized procedures for in vivo in humans and/or in silico investigation with data from human studies. The HMPG provides two broad types of research resources, both specifically tailored for diabetes-related research. First, using expertise in in vivo metabolic studies in humans, the HMPG will provide a selected service such as adipose tissue biopsy or it can guide and facilitate all aspects of a study in humans. Second, using expertise in genomics and related omics, the HMPG will enable or assist DRTC investigators with studies involving large datasets to complex experiments with multiple data types. Many such studies will use BioVU, Vanderbilt’s biobank with DNA samples on >250K subjects linked to the electronic health records, providing opportunities for translating model system discoveries to humans. Thus, the HMPG will enhance bidirectional scientific interactions and meet critical needs of DRTC investigators studying human metabolic health. 

• Mouse studies are provided by the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
• For rat studies, please contact the Rat Metabolic Physiology Core
• For human studies, please contact the Human Metabolic Physiology Core
• For large animal and zebrafish studies, please contact MPSR leadership

MPSR Leadership