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Metabolic phenotyping core: standardized metabolic assessment in rodent models

Facilities & testing

University

Standardized in-vivo metabolic phenotyping of rodent models for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular research. Partners submit study designs for full-service calorimetry, body-composition, and feeding-behavior assessment.

Overview

The Metabolic Phenotyping Core, part of UIC's Research Resources Center, provides precise, standardized assessments of metabolic function in rodent models to advance research on obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Partners submit study designs for staff-run phenotyping across calorimetry, body composition, and feeding behavior.

Available services

Indirect calorimetry and energy-expenditure phenotyping
Non-invasive body-composition analysis (fat / lean / fluid)
Feeding- and drinking-behavior monitoring
Activity, respiratory exchange ratio, and food/water intake measurement
Support for drug-development studies targeting metabolic pathways
Full-service, staff-run study execution

Equipment & instruments

Sable Promethion — indirect calorimetry + behavioral phenotyping for up to 32 rodents; second-by-second O₂/CO₂, RER, energy expenditure, activity, intake, and wheel running; 4–40°C environmental chamber and isotope analyzer
Bruker LF50 BCA-Analyzer — time-domain NMR body composition (fat, lean, free fluid) in under a minute, no anesthesia; suited to longitudinal/high-throughput screening
BioDAQ Food Intake Monitor (Research Diets / Sable) — home-cage feeding and drinking at bout-level resolution for up to 14 cages, with optional programmed-feeding gate control

Access & booking

Partners contact the core to scope a study; requests and scheduling run through the Getting Started pathway and UIC iLab (uic.ilab.agilent.com). All in-vivo work requires prior IACUC-approved animal protocol.

Location

1840 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612.

About University of Illinois Chicago

UIC researchers are advancing discoveries across the life sciences, engineering, computer science, energy, manufacturing, public health, biomedical and other fields. Our scientists are supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and other federal agencies.

Through UI Health, UIC offers a major academic health system with deep expertise in translational research, clinical trials, health information sciences and community-engaged healthcare. Beyond campus, UIC collaborates extensively with industry, other universities, national laboratories, government agencies, healthcare systems, and nonprofit organizations to translate research into real-world impact. From cutting-edge core facilities and specialized research infrastructure to world-class faculty and interdisciplinary research centers, UIC provides partners with access to a uniquely urban innovation ecosystem designed to accelerate discovery, commercialization and societal benefit.