The Research Development Core (RDC) supports cutting edge biological research on the comparative biology and energetics of aging. The RDC accomplishes this goal by administering the UAB NSC Pilot/Feasibility Grants program and by providing mentorship and support for UAB NSC grantees.
Core Leaders
-
John Hartman, M.D.
RDC Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Liou Sun, M.D., Ph.D.
RDC Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Anna Thalacker-Mercer. Ph.D.
RDC Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Core Responsibilities
- Advertises broadly for proposals for Pilot and/or Feasibility studies in comparative energetics of aging from faculty in all disciplines.
- Administers a review system that ensures optimal use of the Center’s research cores.
- Promotes interdisciplinary activities that leverage resources from a range of fields.
- Provides mentoring and support for the Pilot/Feasibility awardees.
- Identifies proposals exploring promising areas of research or seeking to address controversial areas in the basic biology of aging.
- Evaluates the Pilot/Feasibility Program success.
- Facilitates synergy and collaboration among awardees and other aging researchers.
The Comparative Organismal Energetics Core (Organismal Core) provides consultation in methods and study design, training, expertise and state-of-the-art instrumentation to facilitate research on the role of whole animal energetics and metabolism in aging. The Organismal Core provides state-of-the-art instrumentation and analyses for quantifying energy balance and body composition across a variety of animal models. These include measures of energy expenditure, food intake, activity, and core body temperature. Body composition analyses can be performed on living and dead animals.
We are pleased to offer a new set of services using Drosophila models of cardiac, muscle, neuronal, and circadian rhythms-related research during aging, including environmental and genetic factors that affect aging.
Learn about our full list of Services and Core Fees
Core Leaders
-
Girish Melkani, Ph.D.
Organismal Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Daniel Smith, Ph.D.
Organismal Core Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Application for Services
If you are interested in our services, please fill out and submit the form below. The information will be sent to the appropriate parties. Alternatively, you can print the form, fill it out, and email it to the contacts listed.
The Comparative Mitochondrial Health Assessment Core (Mitometabolism Core) offers state-of-the-art services to investigators to facilitate research and training on mitochondrial function and mitophagy as it relates to aging. The core provides expertise in molecular energetics and metabolomics techniques in a variety of species from yeast to mice.
Learn about our full list of Services and Core Fees
Core Leaders
-
Scott Ballinger, Ph.D.
Mitometabolism Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Victor Darley-Usmar, Ph.D.
Mitometabolism Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Jianhua Zhang, Ph.D.
Mitometabolism Core Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Instrumentation
The Mitometabolism Core houses two Seahorse XF24 machines for normoxic as well as hypoxic experiments and two XF96 instruments to measure cellular bioenergetics in as little as a few thousand cells. A Bio-Rad TC20 automated cell counter to provide reproducible and accurate cell counts for adherent as well as suspension cells. The TC20 can count single and mixed cell populations and determine viability via Trypan blue exclusion assay. A Beckman DU 800 Series UV/VIS spectrophotometer equipped with a kinetics package.
Application for Services
If you are interested in our services, please fill out and submit the form below. The information will be sent to the appropriate parties. Alternatively, you can print the form, fill it out, and email it to the contacts listed. All investigators are strongly encouraged to contact Mitometabolism Core prior to sample submission to ensure proper handling and preparation.
Apply Online for Core Services Download Application for Core Services (Doc)
The Comparative Data Analytics Core (Analytics Core) provides consultation in study design, research proposal development, and data analysis, including traditional, specialized, and bespoke methods for scientists performing research on the basic biology of aging. Analytics Core also conducts high-level statistical investigations of secondary data to answer questions about the comparative biology and energetics of aging. Analytics Core works with investigators to develop new analytical tools and offers training in statistical methods for the comparative biology of energetics as it relates to aging.
Specialized services include, but are not limited to: mediation analyses, missing data analysis, structure equation modeling, complex sample design, genetic data analysis, epidemiologic analysis of large datasets, and longitudinal data analysis. Analytics Core assigns the highest priority to aging and comparative energetics-related, peer-reviewed, federally funded research, and NSC-approved pilot/feasibility studies. Rates are determined based on the scope and size of the project.
Learn about our full list of Services
Core Leaders
-
David Allison, Ph.D.
Data Analytics Core Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Stephanie Dickinson
Data Analytics Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Colby Vorland
Data Analytics Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Application for Services
If you are interested in our services, please fill out and submit the form below. The information will be sent to the appropriate parties. Alternatively, you can print the form, fill it out, and email it to the contacts listed.
Apply Online for Core Services Download Application for Core Services (PDF)
Core Leaders
-
Steven Austad, Ph.D.
Center Co-Director, Admin Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Thomas Buford, Ph.D.
Center Co-Director, Admin Core Co-Leader
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
Patrizia De Sarno, Ph.D.
Center Program Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Core Responsibilities
The Administrative Core coordinates the activities of the Center:
- Promotes the quality, services and activities of the Research Cores.
- Evaluates and enhances the impact of the Research Cores for the research community.
- Coordinates education, training, and outreach for the aging research community.
- Stimulates interactions and collaborations between the Center and the aging research community.
- Provides day-to-day administrative support and financial management for the Center.
- Organizes and supports seminars, journal clubs, and symposia focused on the basic biology of aging.
- Offers research career development activities for graduate students and postdoctoral associates affiliated with the Center.
- Works with the Internal and External Advisory Committees.
- Manages the membership of the Center, in collaboration with the Internal Advisory Committee.