Contact: Jason Hellmann, PhD, Director Metabolic Profiling Core

The Metabolic Profiling Core provides integrated, state-of-the-art analytical and phenotyping capabilities to support mechanistic and translational investigations of cardiometabolic health and disease. The Core combines targeted molecular profiling, live-cell bioenergetics, high-parameter flow cytometry, whole-animal metabolic phenotyping, and exercise physiology platforms to enable comprehensive interrogation of cardiometabolic function across biological scales.

Targeted Metabolic and Lipid Mediator Profiling
Targeted metabolic and lipid mediator analyses are performed using a Sciex 5500 QTRAP triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to a Shimadzu Prominence high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Automated sample preparation is conducted using the Biotage Extrahera platform to ensure high reproducibility and throughput. Data acquisition and quantitative analyses are supported by Sciex OS-Q software. These LC-MS/MS capabilities enable sensitive and quantitative measurement of metabolites and bioactive lipid mediators, including pathways relevant to inflammation, resolution, and cardiometabolic signaling, across plasma, tissue, and cellular samples.

Cellular Bioenergetics and Metabolic Flux Analysis
Real-time cellular metabolic function is assessed using the Agilent Seahorse XFe96 extracellular flux analyzer, which enables measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in live cells, tissue explants, and isolated organelles. These assays support mechanistic studies of mitochondrial respiration, glycolytic flux, and metabolic flexibility in response to genetic, pharmacologic, dietary, and environmental perturbations relevant to cardiometabolic disease.

Flow Cytometry and Immunometabolic Phenotyping
High-parameter immunometabolic analyses are supported by a BD LSRFortessa X-20 flow cytometer. This platform enables detailed immunophenotyping and functional characterization of immune and metabolically relevant cell populations, facilitating integration of immune cell identity, activation state, and metabolic phenotype. Flow cytometry services are closely aligned with molecular and in vivo metabolic measurements to support immunometabolic and cardiometabolic research applications.

Whole-Animal Metabolic and Behavioral Phenotyping
Whole-animal metabolic phenotyping is conducted using the Sable Systems Promethion Core metabolic phenotyping system. This system provides continuous, high-resolution measurements of oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure, food and water intake, locomotor activity, and circadian behavior in rodent models. Integrated voluntary running wheels and stable isotope–capable gas analysis allow longitudinal assessment of metabolic adaptations under physiologically relevant conditions. This system is housed within an environmental control cabinet, which allows for user manipulation of light exposure (timing and intensity) and temperature. 

The Sable Systems Promethion Core metabolic phenotyping system is also integrated with a DSI (Data Sciences International) wireless EEG/EMG telemetry platform to enable simultaneous assessment of energy expenditure, substrate utilization, locomotor activity, along with deep sleep–wake architecture phenotyping. This combined approach allows investigators to directly link circadian, sleep, and neurophysiologic states with whole-animal metabolic function under controlled environmental and experimental conditions.

Exercise Physiology and Physiologic Stress Platforms
Exercise and physiologic stress testing is supported by Columbus Instruments six-lane rodent treadmills for controlled forced exercise protocols, in-cage voluntary running wheels with automated activity monitoring, and dedicated rodent swim tanks for swim-based exercise paradigms. These platforms enable quantitative evaluation of exercise capacity, endurance, and exercise-induced metabolic remodeling relevant to cardiometabolic health and disease.

Integrated Data Analysis and Research Support
The Metabolic Profiling Core operates as a collaborative resource providing investigator training, experimental design consultation, and data analysis support. By integrating targeted LC-MS/MS, cellular bioenergetics, flow cytometry, whole-animal metabolic phenotyping, and exercise physiology, the Core enables rigorous, reproducible, and translational research focused on defining mechanisms and therapeutic targets in cardiometabolic disease.