The objectives of the Diabetes Research Center metabolic core is to facilitate metabolic studies at UCSF. There is an increasing number of investigators conducting research in obesity and metabolic diseases,and adequate core equipment is necessary to support these studies. The core will provide technical support for UCSF investigators to conduct metabolic studies using a 12-chambered Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS), an EchoMRI, and Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, which together allow measurement of food intake, water intake, motor activities, core temperature, and body composition in live mice.