Translational Biomarker Analytical Core
The ability to measure biomarkers in diabetes research is essential. The disrupted secretion and action of insulin in diabetes impacts on the regulation of whole body metabolism, affecting the composition of blood and other body fluids. Biomarkers provide the ability to identify individuals with subclinical prediabetes before the development of overt clinical diabetes, facilitate the study of mechanisms, and provide surrogate endpoints for the assessment of preventive and therapeutic interventions. The understanding of diabetes and associated metabolic diseases has been greatly enhanced in recent years by the development of precise technologies and methods for comprehensive metabolic profiling, such as metabolomics. Metabolomics provides a unique approach to identify and assess metabolic characteristics, changes and phenotypes in response to environment, lifestyle, diet, disease states or interventions, and to study genotype-phenotype relationships.
The Translational Biomarker Analytical Core (TBAC) makes available to Diabetes Research Center investigators a variety of high quality radio-immunoassay, ELISA, and other analytical methods, and facilitates access of DRC investigators to the measurement of small molecules by targeted and untargeted metabolomics/lipidomics with the Irving Institute Biomarkers Core. TBAC also provides consultations and services for in vivo methods to measure insulin secretion and sensitivity.
Reservations and Prices
Investigators should set up a consultation with the TBAC core director, Dr. Blandine Laferrère, MD, PhD to discuss the project objectives, type of assays, sample collection, and processing requirements before initiating sample collection.
- All requests should include title of project, IRB/IAUC number, source of funding (NIH grant #), and name of PI.
Sample Submission
- All samples should be labeled (no PHI should be included) and delivered along with a biomarker log template, detailing the protocol number, subject ID, blood draw, etc…
- TBAC will store the aliquoted samples at -80°C until the requested assays are completed.
- Please contact the lab technician Thomas Kolar or at 212 851 5333 prior to dropping off samples.
Cost
- Investigators are responsible for purchasing their own ELISA, RIA, and Luminex kits and bringing them to the core to ensure proper recommended storage. Please contact us for instructions prior to ordering RIA kits.
- A fee per sample is charge to cover cost of supplies. See supply price list for reference.
- A chart string is needed prior to initiating a project.
- A cost estimate can be provided. Prices are agreed upon prior to the initiation of the project, but are subject to change on a yearly basis. Please contact Thomas K. Kolar to obtain a quote.
- Mini awards are available to junior investigators to support biomarker assays development, metabolomics analyses, or biomarker assays related to an innovative project. Please contact the Core Director Dr. Blandine Laferrère for more information.
Services
- Consulting services for study design, sample processing, assay methods for diabetes clinical investigators. Contact the Core Director Dr. Blandine Laferrère, MD, PhD.
- RIA: see list below. Custom assays can be set up after consultation.
- ELISA: see list below. Custom assays can be set up after consultation.
- Enzymatic assays
- Luminex
- Lipidomics and metabolomics services
Full list of TBAC services
RIA
- Adiponectin
- Cholecystokinin
- Cortisol
- C-peptide
- Total ghrelin
- Total GLP-1
- Glucagon
- Insulin
- Leptin
- Osteocalcin
- Proinsulin
- PYY total and PYY3-36
- Resistin
ELISA
- Amylin
- Beta-OH butyrate
- CRP
- IL6
- IL2
- Insulin
- GIP
- GLP-1
- Proinsulin
- Insulin
- Leptin
- PAI-1
- TNF-a
Enzymatic
- Acetaminophen
- FFA
- Glucose
- Glycerol
- Lactate
- Lipids (cholesterol total, LDL, HDL, triglyceride)
- Tissue lipid content
Luminex
- Cytokines
Spectrophotometry
- D-xylose
Quintron Analyzer
- H2 and methane breath analysis
Bomb Calorimetry
- Heat, (ash, , lipid, protein)
Targeted Lipidomics and Targeted Metabolomics
- · The Core provides these services in collaboration with the CTSA lipidomics Core
Untargeted Metabolomics- Exposomics
- The Core provides these services in collaboration with the Irving Institute metabolomics Core- Please contact the TBAC core director to for more information, Dr. Blandine Laferrère, MD, PhD.
Stable Isotopes Studies
TBAC facilitates access to kinetic studies and pathway analyses required to appropriately interpret these determinations. This is achieved in alliance with the Columbia CTSA and experts consultants. Please contact the TBAC Director Dr. Blandine Laferrère, for more information.
In vivo Metabolic Phenotyping
TBAC provides expert guidance, training, service, and quality assurance for experimental research for in vivo phenotyping of humans with diabetes and associated metabolic abnormalities (obesity, insulin resistance, genetic disturbances of metabolism). Consultation on design of human studies to translate basic laboratory findings; regulatory requirements, selection of relevant metabolic testing and biomarkers, application of new technologies (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring), OGTT, FSIVGTT, meal challenges, glucose/insulin clamps, fat and muscle biopsies, peptide infusion protocols, and tracer studies. Please contact the TBAC core director, Dr. Blandine Laferrère, for more information.
