Transformative Research in Metabolism (TRiM) achieves center status

The UA Transformative Research in Metabolism (TRiM), supported with funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (P20GM130443) using the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), is a collaborative effort between the University of Alaska Fairbanks (lead institution) and the University of Alaska Anchorage (partner institution). The program is designed to support research activities related to hibernation and metabolism to address human metabolic disease and related conditions. Metabolic health disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, disuse muscle atrophy and vascular dementia, are of particular concern to Alaska’s increasing older adult population. Research is critically needed to increase our understanding of these conditions and to develop effective treatment and therapies to promote healthy aging.

On Sept. 16, 2020, UAF Chancellor Dan White approved TRiM as a Center for Transformative Research in Metabolism. The UA Center for TRiM is the first and only biomedical research center in the U.S. to adopt a model of natural adaptations in metabolism as an approach to treat metabolic disease. The center builds on UA’s institutional commitment and 60-year legacy of hibernation research by bringing together existing research activities related to hibernation and metabolism. This recognized status is expected to increase research and training grant funding, expand UA’s biomedical research capacity in translational studies related to hibernation, metabolism and the microbiome, as well as  advance our long-term goal of growing our own Alaska-based biomedical research scientists.

For more information about the Center for TRiM, please contact director Kelly Drew, director, or Denise Daniello, program coordinator.

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