Research

Human Phenotyping Core

Master
Terms
Dr.

Item Term
Core Director

Item Definition

Reina Villareal
Reina.Villareal@bcm.edu

Fida

Item Term
Associate Director

Item Definition

Fida Bacha
fbacha@bcm.edu

Heading

About the Core

Content

The objective of the Human Phenotyping Core is to enhance and expand the research capabilities of investigators performing clinical and translational studies in human subjects with obesity and/or nutrition-related diseases. Our core will provide comprehensive phenotyping essential for identifying at-risk patients, revealing disease phenotypes, and testing clinical intervention outcomes. The Human Phenotyping Core is a collaborative network of shared resources and state-of-the-art facilities that aims to support users through the following services offered across three campus facilities: Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital, USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center.

Heading

Core Services

Content

Imaging Services

  • Body composition and visceral adipose tissue volume by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
  • Abdominal MRI
  • Bone mineral density measurement using DXA
  • Bone microarchitecture and bone strength using high-resolution pQCT

Metabolic Studies

  • Oral glucose tolerance test
  • Indirect calorimetry
  • Stable isotope infusion
  • Clamp studies (e.g. hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp)
  • Cardiovascular fitness

Tissue Procurement Services

  • Adipose tissue biopsy
  • Muscle biopsy

Lifestyle Intervention Services

  • Dietary and nutritional counselling services
  • Exercise intervention counselling services

Clinical Specimen Assistance Services

  • DNA extraction
  • RNA Extraction