Unique research opportunities with ECDOI

The East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute is continuing to build on the legacy of past researchers while steering in a new direction to conduct translational, high-impact research. ECDOI is the only diabetes and obesity institute in the UNC system and is poised to contribute to interdisciplinary research on preventing and treating these metabolic diseases and their comorbidities.

In support of this mindset is the design of the facility, located on East Carolina University’s Health Sciences Campus in the East Carolina Heart Institute, that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration by researchers, including student contributions.

Maddison Salois, left, has her blood pressure measured by Siri Pederson in an exercise testing room.

“We are a unique facility at ECU, and even in the UNC system, that we can collect a biospecimen on one floor and take the elevator to another floor to perform experiments on those samples,” said Dr. Nick Broskey, assistant professor of kinesiology. “We are also unique in that we have an exercise testing room that allows us to collect and analyze these samples during acute bouts of exercise. These types of research studies typically involve having to navigate between multiple buildings.”

Research extends from basic science in rodent and cell models to examining metabolic outcomes in humans, using glucose infusion techniques, exercise testing, and acquiring tissue samples such as skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Clinical research staff are part of a core to help researchers from starting levels to coordinating and conducting study visits and even collecting and processing samples.

“ECDOI is truly a gem in ECU’s portfolio of centers and institutes,” said Dr. Jennifer Barkin, associate dean for research in the College of Health and Human Performance. “As a leader, Dr. Broskey inspires great confidence and is positioning ECDOI for continued success.”

Experiential learning for students also is a key aspect of success.

“We span the full spectrum of trainees from undergraduate students to postdoctoral scholars,” Broskey said. “Trainees are able to conduct and be involved in clinical as well as bench research, which allows them to be more competitive for continued education opportunities in higher education or the job market.”

ECDOI first gained occupancy in 2014 on the fourth floor of the East Carolina Heart Institute. Broskey began at ECU five years later in 2019. He has seen ‘major growth’ in multiple research areas associated with ECDOI.

“There has been major growth in other areas outside of just metabolism,” Broskey said. “We have a strong emphasis and success in securing extramural funding in reproductive biology and neuroscience. This adds richness and allows for new areas of collaboration as these new disciplines bring new perspectives in biomedical research discovery. We also have state-of-the-art equipment and techniques for measuring how cells and tissues produce energy.”

ECDOI was originally called the Metabolic Institute, established to focus on metabolism research. It has since developed into an open-floor layout and space providing a range of opportunities for mentorship, teaching, collaboration and research.

“What I love about ECDOI is that Dr. Broskey and the other researchers there never lose sight of, ‘What is their why?’” said Dr. Nicole Bromfield, dean of the ECU College of Health and Human Performance.

Pederson, pictured, and Tiralla are cellular and molecular bioenergetics doctoral students under the mentorship of Broskey.