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Translation Core

An important component of research at the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases is to translate basic and preclinical discoveries to patients. The Translation Core provides services that facilitate and accelerate research involving human subjects, including supplying low-cost, high-quality analyte measurement services for a variety of hormones, cytokines, lipids and other analytes.


Translation Core human studies services include phenotyping (i.e. GTT, clamp studies, tracer studies), and access to a biobank of human tissues and serum. The core has the capacity to undertake specialized and customizable laboratory services, including bringing online assays not previously available at IU School of Medicine.


The Translation Core has approximately 500 square feet of dedicated space for the analyte lab in the VanNuys Medical Science Building, adjacent to University Hospital in downtown Indianapolis.

Contact the Core

Human Studies

Human studies are conducted at the Indiana CTSI Clinical Research Center at University Hospital, in downtown Indianapolis. This 13,606 square foot space includes 10 inpatient beds/procedure rooms, 14 outpatient rooms, a sample processing laboratory, and nurse/physician workspace. The Translation Core has approximately 500 square feet of dedicated space for the analyte lab in the Van Nuys Medical Science Building, adjacent to University Hospital.

Core Services

The following are the most routinely requested measures. If not on the list, interested investigators may inquire about their analyte of interest by contacting the core. Most measures available for both human and rodent samples.

  • Adipose Tissue Hormones
    • Leptin
    • Adiponectin
  • Metabolic Measures
    • Electrolytes
    • Iron
    • Protein
    • Ferritin
    • Albumin
    • TIBC
    • Creatinine
    • Transferrin
    • Urea
    • Hydroxybutyrate
    • AST
    • Glucose
    • ALT
    • HbA1c
  • Lipids
    • Triglycerides
    • Non-esterified Free Fatty Acids
    • Total Cholesterol
    • LDL
    • HDL
  • Pancreatic Hormones
    • Insulin
    • Proinsulin
    • C-peptide
    • Glucagon
    • Pancreatic polypeptide
  • Gut Peptides
    • GLP-1
    • GIP
    • PYY
    • CCK
    • Ghrelin
  • Inflammatory Markers
    • C-reactive protein
    • IL-6
    • IL-1α
    • IL-8
    • IL-10
  • Multiplex Panels

    Methylation specific PCR for preproinsulin DNA as biomarker of β-cell death. Droplet Digital PCR can be evaluated for development of other circulating biomarkers.

  • Human Subject Services
    • Oral glucose tolerance test
    • Frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIVGTT)
    • Meal tolerance test (MTT)
    • Glucagon stimulation test
    • Arginine stimulation test
    • Glucose clamp techniques
    • Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic or hyperglycemic o Co-infusion of somatostatin with or without pancreatic or pituitary hormone replacement
    • Hypoinsulinemia o Sequential insulin infusion
    • Hypoglycemic clamp
    • Hyperglycemic clamp
    • Tracer dilution techniquesIndirect calorimetry
    • Limb Balance Technique
    • Blood Flow Measurement
    • Thermodilution Technique
    • Dye dilution Technique
    • Strain gauage plethysmography
    • EndoPat fingertip plethysmography
    • Stable Isotope tracer technique
    • Doubly labeled water
    • Body composition
    • Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
    • Bioimpedance
    • Bod Pod
    • Tissue biobanks

Core Leadership & Personnel

4921-Considine, Robert

Robert V. Considine, PhD

Professor of Medicine

Read Bio Robert V. Considine, PhD

Anthony Acton

Anthony Acton

Research Analyst

4874-Hannon, Tamara

Tamara S. Hannon, MD

Professor of Pediatrics

Read Bio Tamara S. Hannon, MD

Brett McKinney

Brett McKinney

Senior Clinical Research Coordinator/Laboratory Manager