Michigan Nutrition Obesity Research Center (MNORC)

Advancing obesity prevention and care through data-driven research and expert collaboration.

Apply for MNORC Membership
young researcher smiling in a lab holding a pipette

About

Learn more about MNORC.

Cores

Discover the specialized programs that support MNORC's research activities and projects.

Pilot/Feasibility Grant Program

See how MNORC provides support and mentorship for high-quality diabetes research.

Enrichment Programs

Explore more about our Enrichment Programs

MNORC began in 2010, funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The MNORC is one of 12 U.S. centers designed to inspire and support translational, multi-disciplinary research in obesity and nutrition, across the continuum of basic science to applications in individuals (medicine) and populations (public health).

Objectives
 

  • To facilitate the interaction between basic, clinical and population-based researchers in nutrition, obesity and related metabolic disorders.
  • To support Core Laboratories to provide a range of basic, clinical and translational research tools to Research Base investigators.
  • To provide expertise and infrastructure to promote the integration of basic research technologies into clinical studies.
  • To provide biostatistical design, database management and bioinformatics tools for the Research Base.
  • To support a Demonstration Unit, the Weight Management Program, which will combine state-of-the-art clinical care and translational research in developing methodologies and tools to integrated, advanced human phenotyping in the clinical setting.
  • To facilitate access to human subjects and phenotypic data for obesity and obesity-related research.
  • To evaluate, refine, and apply new knowledge regarding nutrition interventions, obesity and related disorders in clinical and population-based research.
  • To enrich the intellectual and educational environment for researchers in obesity and nutrition through seminars, symposia, classes, clinical research, and clinical care opportunities for faculty, students, and other trainees.
  • To recruit, train, motivate and retain basic, clinical and population-based researchers in the area of nutrition interventions, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
  • To disseminate knowledge to the research community and the public about the causes, consequences and treatments of nutrition, obesity, and obesity-related disorders so that public policy decisions about health care resources can be made in an informed environment.

Weight Loss Independent Effects of Bariatric Surgery vs Weight Loss Dependent Therapeutic Metabolic Effects of Bariatric Surgery

Surgery is one of the most effective and durable treatments for weight loss. Watch Sam Klein, MD and Randy Seeley, PhD, debate the question: Does bariatric surgery contribute to metabolic changes beyond those associated with weight loss?

Research Acknowledgement

It is extremely important that our grant is cited in all publications resulting from the use of MNORC services. Our productivity and effectiveness as a center are measured in part by the citation of the grant in published work. Please use the following acknowledgement in your publications:

"This work utilized Core Services supported by grant DK089503 of NIH to the University of Michigan."