CSRC Metabolic Kinetics Sub-core Director: Bruce Patterson, PhD
Phone: 314-747-1575
Email: bpatters@wustl.edu

CSRC Metabolic Kinetics Sub-core Assistant Director: Gary Patti, PhD
Phone: 314-935-3512
Email: gjpattij@wustl.edu

Location

The CSRC provides services through dedicated office, clinical, and laboratory space in the Division of Nutritional Science & Obesity Medicine located on the 2nd floor of the West Building and the 5th floor of the adjacent Irene Walter Johnson Building, and a number of shared resources within a few minutes walking distance on the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) campus, which makes it possible to leverage services and reduce cost.

The goal of the CSRC is to support and enhance leading-edge clinical and translational nutrition/obesity research at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) by providing:

  • Comprehensive and affordable services that assist investigators in designing and implementing both simple and complex clinical and translational research protocols, obtaining reliable measures of key outcomes, and interpreting the results
  • Services that make it possible for young investigators, non-physician investigators, and basic scientists to conduct sophisticated clinical and translational research studies
  • Training and education in key areas of clinical and translational nutrition/obesity research for both young and established investigators and their research staff

To achieve these goals, we have developed two distinct but interactive sub-cores that provide the following specific services to investigators through a cohesive, “one-stop” organizational structure that ensures optimal integration of high-quality services.

The Clinical Studies Performance Sub-core (Director: Bettina Mittendorfer, PhD) assists investigators in conducting clinical nutrition/obesity protocols by:
  1. Providing consultation in designing a clinical research study and in interpreting the results of the data generated by core analyses
  2. Providing biostatistical support to determine adequate sample size and appropriate statistical analysis
  3. Measuring body composition and energy expenditure, iv) developing and preparing study protocol-specific meals for metabolic testing and take-out meals for diet intervention studies
  4. Preparing stable isotopically labeled metabolic tracer and hormone infusates to assess metabolic function
  5. Obtaining muscle and adipose tissue biopsy samples and inserting radial artery catheters for blood sampling
  6. Evaluating cardiovascular function, ix) performing exercise and physical performance testing
  7. Providing inpatient and outpatient sleep monitoring services
  8. Providing assistance in implementing lifestyle interventions (diet manipulation, weight loss/weight gain, exercise training)
  9. Providing training in specific procedures to aid investigators in the performance of clinical studies
The Metabolic Kinetics sub-core (Director: Bruce Patterson, PhD) offers services which include:
  1. Providing consultation in designing protocols to evaluate metabolic kinetics (e.g., the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test in conjunction with stable isotopically-labeled tracer infusions to evaluate whole-body and tissue-specific insulin action and β-cell function) and in interpreting the results of the data generated by core analyses
  2. Mass-spectrometry analysis of biospecimens to determine tracer enrichment in metabolic substrates and macromolecules
  3. Mathematical modeling of tracer and non-tracer data to assess metabolic kinetics, and iv) providing education and training in specific analyses

Equipment

The major equipment items available through the Clinical Studies Performance Sub-core includes equipment that is housed in the Clinical Translational Research Unit (CTRU), and that is jointly maintained and/or operated by the CTRU and the NORC Clinical Studies Performance Sub-core:

1Lunar iDXA with CoreScan™ software for body composition and bone mineral density analysis in persons weighing up to 204 kg (450 pounds)
4Parvo Medics True Max 2400 indirect calorimetry systems
2Cycle ergometers (a Lode upright and a Cateye reclining bike)
1Woodway treadmill
1Biodex System 4 Pro dynamometer
1Hoist multi-station exercise gym
1Cadwell Industries, Sierra Summit electromyography and nerve conduction assessment system
1Sonosite ultrasound system to assist with vascular access line placement
1Philips Epiq 7 ultrasound system to assess cardiovascular function, tissue perfusion, and liver stiffness
1SphygmoCor system to assess vascular compliance and arterial stiffness
2EndoPat 2000 systems to evaluate endothelial function
1Helena Labs Plateletworks system to assess platelet function
2Compumedics Grael PSG/EEG with video monitoring for inpatient sleep assessment
2Alice PDx portable sleep diagnostic system for outpatient sleep assessment

Also available are physical activity, Holter, and continuous glucose monitors, and smart scales.

All rooms in the CTRU are equipped with a YSI analyzer to measure glucose and lactate, and vital sign monitoring systems; also available are body scales and stadiometers, ECG equipment, and a cardiac emergency cart.

In addition, the CTRU provides equipment for blood and tissue sample processing, storage and shipping in dedicated laboratory space, including laminar flow hoods, analytical scales, centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers that are connected to a remote monitoring and notification system.

Equipment housed in the NORC exercise facility (5th floor Irene Walter Johnson Building) includes:
1Woodway Desmo-M treadmill and 1 Quinton Q55 treadmill
1Cateye recumbent cycle ergometer
1Parvo Medics TrueMax 2400 metabolic cart
4Treadmills
2Elliptical exercise ergometers
6Rowing ergometers
4Monark cycle ergometers
4Reebok spin cycles
5Schwinn Airdynes
1Schwinn exerciser cycle
3Hoist multi-station weight machines
3Weight benches
2Pull-up/multi gym towers
1Powertech Hack squat machine
1Smith machine
1Eccentron
2Foam rollers
43Dumbbells, ranging from 1lb-70lb
1Aerobic step platform
14Risers for aerobic step
3Weight medicine balls
5Stability balls
10Sand ankle/wrist weights
1Bosu balance trainer
4Miniature cones for agility drills
1Training hurdle
1Cardiac emergency cart with defibrillator

The exercise facility is also outfitted with a 4-lane 90-meter indoor track.

Equipment housed in the pharmacy-grade infusate preparation facility in the CTRU includes:
1IsoTech MicroSphere – ISO Class 5 Compounding Aseptic Isolator for the preparation of IV admixtures
1BAXA volumetric automated repeater pump – for fluid transfers during compounding of sterile preparations
1Centrifuge – for preparation of peptides during compounding of sterile preparations
1Mettler Toledo MS303S Balance – for compounding sterile preparations
1Ohaus Adventurer Pro Balance – for compounding sterile preparations
1Portable heating water bath – for the preparation of CSP (compounded sterile preparations) at specific temperature
1Endosafe PTS – portable device used for bacterial endotoxin testing of CSPs
1Vortex Genie mixer –for the preparation of dilutions for endotoxin testing
4Refrigerators to store CSPs
3Incubators – for environmental monitoring and sterility testing procedures (all require incubation at different temperatures)
5Digital data logger thermometers – used for temperature monitoring
1Hot plate – used for the preparation of thioglycolate media with indicator used for sterility testing of final product
1IV inspection light box – used for end preparation assessment for visible particulate contamination against white and black background
Equipment available in the CTRU metabolic kitchen:
1Vulcan commercial 10 plate electric range
1Commercial countertop convection steamer
1Hobart LXEH commercial under-counter dishwasher
1Norlake Walk-in Refrigerator/Freezer
1Traulsen G-series reach-in refrigerator
4Traulsen G-series reach-in freezers

Assorted small equipment for ingredient measurement, formula mixing, food preparation and packaging, including six analytical balances, microwave ovens, a digital sonifier, stir plates, laboratory glassware, a Robot Coupe food processor, a stand mixer, blenders, vacuum food sealer, heat sealer, and digital thermometers.

Equipment housed in the Central Laboratory for Clinical Studies (CLCS) includes:
1Roche Diagnostics c501 chemistry analyzer
1Roche Diagnostics e601 immunoanalyzer
1Beckman Coulter UniCel DxH600 hematology analyzer
1Siemens Immulite 1000 immunoanalyzer
1Singulex Erenna immunoanalyzer (digital single molecule counting)
1ICN Biomedical 10/600 Plus gamma counter
1Titertek Plus gamma counter
1Bio-Tek ELx 800 ELISA plate reader
1Bio-Tek Powerwave 200 plate reader
18Alarmed and monitored -70° C freezers

Assorted small equipment for sample processing (vortexers, heating blocks, water baths, analytical balances, stir plates, microfuge, pH meter, etc.)

The major equipment items available in the NORC Metabolic Kinetics Sub-core include equipment housed and operated in the GC/MS module of the Metabolic Kinetics Sub-core:
1Hewlett Packard (Agilent) 5977B GC/MS MSD system (EI/PCI/NCI) with autosampler
1Hewlett Packard (Agilent) 5973N GC/MS MSD system (EI) with autosampler
1Hewlett Packard (Agilent) 5973inert GC/MS MSD system (EI) with autosampler, headspace injector, and flame ionization detector
1Beckman/Coulter Optima LE-80K ultracentrifuge with 3 rotors
1Beckman GS-6KR refrigerated centrifuge
2Thermo Fisher SC250EXP0 SpeedVac centrifugal concentrators
1Beckman DU-520 spectrophotometer
1 BioTek Epoch 2 plate reader with spectrophotometric detector
2-20°C freezers
9-80°C freezers that are connected to a remote monitoring and notification system

Assorted small equipment for sample processing (vortexers, heating blocks, water baths, analytical balances, stir plates, microfuge, pH meter, etc.)

Equipment housed and operated in the LC/MS and NMR module of the Metabolic Kinetics Sub-core:
1Agilent UHD swarm QTOF (6545) with autosampler
1Agilent UHD extended resolution QTOF (6540) with autosampler
1Agilent QTOF (6530) with autosampler
1SCIEX TripleTOF 5600+ QTOF with autosampler
1Thermo Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap with autosampler
2Thermo tribrid ID-X Obritrap with autosampler
1Waters Synapt XS QTOF with ion mobility and autosampler
1Agilent QqQ (6460) with autosampler
1Thermo TSQ Altis with autosampler
1Acquity UPLC I-Class PLUS LC system
4Agilent 1290 UPLC LC system
3Agilent 1260 HPLC LC system
1Eksigent UHPLC LC system
4Dionext UltiMate 300 UHPLC LC system
2Bruker 500 MHz NMR spectrometers with 5-channel probes
3Beckman GS-6KR refrigerated centrifuge
2Thermo Fisher SC250EXP0 SpeedVac centrifugal concentrators
1Cytation 7 BioTek fluorescence microscope and plate reader
1Thermo Fisher Nanodrop UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
1MP Bio Tissue Homogenizer
1Li-Cor Odyssessy CLx Imaging System for Western blots
1Agilent Seahorse XF Metabolic Flux Analyzer
8Thermo Fisher 6.5 Cu ft incubators
4Thermo Fisher 4 ft biosafety cabinets
5-20°C freezers
8-80°C freezers that are connected to a remote monitoring and notification system

Assorted small equipment for sample processing (vortexers, heating blocks, water baths, analytical balances, stir plates, microfuge, pH meter, microscopes, etc.)

Services available

  1. Consultation for study design, protocol development, sample collection and storage, and interpreting results of the data generated by core analyses
  2. Clinical Studies Performance Sub-core services
    1. Body composition analyses (DEXA)
    2. Indirect calorimetry
    3. Research meals
    4. Intravenous infusate preparation
    5. Clinical laboratory tests
    6. Clinical procedures (muscle and adipose tissue collection, radial arterial catheterization, cardiovascular assessments)
    7. Sleep monitoring
    8. Exercise and physical performance assessments
    9. Lifestyle intervention
    10. Biostatistical support
  3. Metabolic Kinetics Sub-core services
    1. Sample processing and GC/MS analysis
    2. Mathematical modeling of metabolic data
    3. Dynamic metabolomics
  4. Training and education

If you have any questions regarding the CSRC’s cost structure, please feel free to contact Bettina Mittendorfer: mittendb@wustl.edu

Please acknowledge the Washington University NORC, Nutrition Obesity Research Center, in your publications by: “Supported by NIH grant P30 DK056341 (Nutrition Obesity Research Center).”