The Integrative Biology Core (IBC), in collaboration with other Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) Cores, uses translational research to determine what specific molecular, physiological and histological mechanisms contribute to age-related decreases in motor function and physical skills. Increases can result in loss of muscle mass, loss of strength and decline in physical function. Therapeutic modification of these factors can slow progression to disability.

Goals and Services

  • The IBC adds value to OAIC-supported research by offering molecular/biological resources for all OAIC investigators and junior scholars.
  • We incorporate assessment of systemic biomarkers, as well as measures of miRNA gene expression and other epigenetic markers in blood, and offer assessments of muscle denervation/innervation, and assessments of bioenergetic function of various tissues/cells.
  • We oversee the storage of biological specimens and biomarker analyses from ongoing prior studies and assist with muscle biopsies in ongoing externally funded studies.

Integrated Aging Studies Databank and Repository (IASDR)

The Repository currently holds over 200,000 cryovials of serum or plasma from over 4,500 participants, 5,290 DNA samples and 1,973 participants with either stored adipose tissue or muscle hundreds of pre/post sets of stored muscle from participants in different intervention studies.

All samples are collected from study participants enrolled in research protocols at Wake Forest University, Wake Forest University Health Sciences or other collaborating institutions.

The overall goal of the Pepper Center Integrated Aging Studies Databank and Repository is to guarantee the proper collection, transfer and central storage of biological tissue (e.g., blood, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, cartilage and DNA) to be used for conducting future ancillary studies by investigators with an interest in aging-related research.

Access the Wake Forest Pepper Center Specimen Repository (IASDR).