State-of-the-Art Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Core
The upcoming state-of-the-art mouse metabolic phenotyping core initiated by the LSUHS Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program represents a first of its kind facility that is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated technologies available in the field.
Central to this advanced facility are the Bruker Minispec series and the Sable Systems Promethion platform. These systems leverage Time Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR) technology, providing unparalleled precision in measuring lean tissue, body fat, and body fluid volumes in live mice. This non-invasive method facilitates longitudinal studies without the use of anesthetics, crucial for ongoing metabolic monitoring and interventions.
BRUKER MINISPEC
The core will integrate the Bruker Minispec series, equipped with proprietary TD-NMR sequences that significantly enhance sensitivity and specificity in metabolic measurements. These sequences are adept at distinguishing subtle variations in body composition under different physiological states—whether the mice are resting, feeding, or exercising—thereby offering insights into how experimental conditions influence metabolic rates and energy expenditures.
SABLE PROMETHION CORE
The Promethion Core system from Sable Systems specializes in synchronizing behavioral data with high-resolution metabolic information. This setup not only supports a comprehensive analysis of metabolic dynamics but also operates an advanced air exchange system that maintains near-ambient CO2 levels with 15 air exchanges per hour.
This feature is critical in preventing CO2 buildup, which could otherwise skew research outcomes. Temperature stabilization at a constant 37°C within a thermally insulated housing ensures that the Bruker Minispec systems provide high accuracy and reproducibility. This level of control is essential for maintaining the precision of NMR measurements, as fluctuations in temperature can significantly impact magnetic field strength and measurement accuracy.
The facility also prioritizes animal welfare. The Bruker systems utilize a red restrainer system that minimizes stress by allowing animals to voluntarily enter the measurement probes, a practice that helps maintain normal physiological conditions during measurements. This non-invasive approach ensures that metabolic data are not confounded by stress-induced physiological changes. Importantly, a dedicated technician will manage, operate, and oversee the core, ensuring operational accuracy and providing ongoing support to LSUHS Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program researchers.
Altogether, these platforms will ensure fast setup times and minimal downtime between experiments. Thus, the establishment of the mouse metabolic phenotyping core with its state-of-the-art Bruker and Sable systems marks a significant advancement in metabolic research capabilities at LSU Health Shreveport. This facility not only enhances our ability to conduct detailed and reproducible experiments but also promises to accelerate the translation of basic research into clinical applications, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes in the field of metabolic health.
