Research Cores and Services
The CTRC offers a unique opportunity for investigators seeking high-quality, cost-effective research services. Thanks to support from the National Institutes of Health, through the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) and Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST), we provide the following services to collaborating researchers:
Program Administration
The CCTST provides guidance in all aspects of protocol design, data management, research study approval processes, grant writing and funding opportunities.
Our Behavioral Science Core offers several services for researchers studying behavior and mental health, including:
- Execution of various behavioral measurement techniques / instruments
- Consultation in design of research with behavioral dimensions
- Preparation of behavioral sections of grant applications
- Consultation on data management and analytic strategies for behavioral data
- Assistance in preparation of manuscripts describing behavioral outcomes
- Consultation for adherence assessment and intervention
The Bionutrition Core offers a wide range of services to support investigators, including:
- Detailed nutrition analysis of dietary intake by study participants
- Comprehensive instruction for study staff and / or participants on dietary intake data collection
- Development and preparation of study-specific menus for controlled feeding studies
- Resting metabolic rate / resting energy expenditure assessment via indirect calorimetry
- Administration of diet and / or physical activity questionnaires and physical fitness tests
- Anthropometric measurements including height / weight, circumferences and skinfolds
- Body composition analysis via skinfolds, bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
The Bionutrition Core also provides education and training to support research teams, as well as consultation on nutrition research methodology, tools and equipment. Forms and guidelines are available to make bionutrition data collection easier for researchers.
The Body Composition Core provides imaging using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).
This core, part of the CCTST BioMETrCS program, offers comprehensive biostatistical support for related research.
Core Laboratory
The CTRC provides investigators access to Core Laboratory services, provided by two subdivisions:
- The Biochemistry Core, which provides clinical and research assays for the study of mineral and bone metabolism disorders and various assays by arrangement with investigators
- The Sample Processing Laboratory, which provides processing and storage for specimens collected in the CTRC
The Informatics Core, part of the Biomedical Informatics Program, offers comprehensive data management support for investigators.
The Research Nursing staff is trained to take complex, detailed research observations and conduct precise collection and storage of specimens. Each investigator has a primary research nurse coordinator who serves as a liaison for study implementation, trains clinical staff for the research study and monitors the clinical outcomes.
The research subject advocate ensures that human subjects’ protection is the highest priority for studies conducted at the CTRC.
The CTRC offers regular education and training opportunities.
