Translational Research Program

The IDOM Translational Program facilitates translational and patient-oriented research by providing a focal point for interactions between basic and clinical investigators. The translational program encourages cross-fertilization of ideas between disciplines such as biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and immunology, and between scientists engaged in common pathophysiological processes such as the development of insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress and alterations in central and peripheral neural activity that contribute many disease states. The program attempts to identify common research needs of the translational research community of IDOM and in conjunction with other IDOM units and the Center for Human Phenomic Science (CHPS – former CTRC), foster programs and resources to support these needs.

Presently, the translational program supports three research resources. Each resource provides complementary services to the conduct of translational and patient-oriented metabolic research and each or all may apply to any particular project. They are:

1. Human Metabolism Resource - The Human Metabolism Resource aims to provide consultation and services to IDOM investigators in the conduct of metabolic tests specifically relevant to diabetes, obesity and related metabolic disorders.


2. Metabolic Tracer Resource - The Metabolic Tracer Resource aims to provide consultation and services to IDOM investigators interested in using stable isotope labeled tracers in cell-based, animal and human metabolic studies.


3. Human Metabolic Tissue Bank - The Human Metabolic Tissue Bank is a repository created and maintained for the collection and distribution of human tissue materials and blood samples for research purposes.