Core Director
Reina Villareal
Reina.Villareal@bcm.edu
Associate Director
Fida Bacha
fbacha@bcm.edu
About the Core
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.
Core Services
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 counseling services
- Exercise intervention counseling services
Clinical Specimen Assistance Services
- DNA extraction
- RNA Extraction