The mission of the Genomics Core is to assist DRC investigators to discover the molecular bases of the pathogenesis and co-morbidities of diabetes. A growing array of molecular techniques can be applied to fundamental cellular, systemic, and developmental phenotypes related to glucose/insulin homeostasis, energy metabolism, and the functional consequences of disorders of these systems. Access to sophisticated manipulations of the mouse genome and to in vitro manipulation of genes is also critical to generating and testing mechanistic hypotheses.
The Genomics Core provides consultations on study design, and assists in the execution of studies – in humans and rodents – requiring Genomics resources. The Core provides both basic and advanced tools and technologies for quantitative and qualitative analysis of DNA and RNA, proteomics, animal models of diabetes/obesity (including transgenic manipulations), and production and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The Core also provides assistance with basic data analysis and comprehensive bioinformatics and statistical analyses of high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing data. In summary, our objective is to minimize barriers to the integration of cutting edge technologies of molecular genetics and genomics into the research of the DRC’s constituencies, enabling experienced investigators – as well as researchers who are not molecular geneticists – to add genomics approaches to their research at reasonable cost. Studies conducted through this Core can be closely coordinated with relevant efforts by other Cores in the DRC.