What Duke Molecular Physiology Institute does

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI) is a research institute within Duke University School of Medicine that produces integrated multi-omics and physiologic profiles of chronic human diseases. It operates five core facilities — the Metabolomics/Proteomics Core, Molecular Genomics Core, Human Physiology Testing Core, Biomarkers Core, and Research Informatics Core — that together generate genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and physiologic measurements on shared study populations, with the unifying aim of linking molecular signatures to disease mechanisms and clinical phenotypes.

The institute's technical platform combines wet-lab multi-omics pipelines with proprietary informatics assets. Notable components include retention-time spectral libraries developed in partnership with Agilent for metabolomics, spatial transcriptomics capability enabled through a partnership with 10x Genomics, and the PEDIGENE database integrating multi-omics data across more than 500,000 individuals. DMPI leads or participates in major NIH-funded consortia including MoTrPAC (Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity), the Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) initiative, the Rare Disease Research Catalyst (RADIANT), NCDRC, and All of Us. Key faculty include Christopher Newgard (Director), William Kraus, Deborah Muoio, James Bain, Carlos Pita, and Bryan Bennett, with multiple investigators named to Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers list (2019, 2021, 2025-2026).

DMPI's business model is academic rather than commercial. Operating revenue derives from federal research grants (predominantly NIH), institutional support from Duke University School of Medicine, and recharge fees for use of core facility services. The institute does not sell products commercially; it serves as a shared research platform for Duke faculty investigators and external academic collaborators operating through NIH consortium structures. There is no disclosed industry or commercial customer base.

Name

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute

Legal name

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute

Website

https://dmpi.duke.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute is a Duke University School of Medicine research institute that generates integrated multi-omics and physiologic profiles of chronic human diseases across five core facilities, serving Duke investigators and NIH-funded consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metabolomics & Lipidomics Services (HLAGANAG), Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Services (HLAGANAB), Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• Multi-omics profiling services
• Metabolomics and proteomics
• Single cell sequencing services
• Biomarker discovery research
• Clinical physiology testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DMPI provides integrated multi-omics and physiologic profiling services through five core facilities (Metabolomics/Proteomics, Molecular Genomics, Human Physiology Testing, Biomarkers, and Research Informatics) supporting chronic human disease research. The institute delivers targeted and non-targeted metabolomics, MS-based proteomics, single cell and spatial transcriptomics, SNP genotyping, ultra-sensitive digital biomarker immunoassays, clinical exercise and metabolic testing, and large-scale pedigree/genetic data management via the PEDIGENE system. Services are primarily supplied to Duke University researchers, NIH-funded consortia, and external academic collaborators.

Product overview

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI) operates as a research institute organized into five interconnected core facilities that provide specialized services. The cores include: (1) the Metabolomics/Proteomics Core offering mass spectrometry-based targeted and non-targeted metabolomics, metabolic flux analysis, and proteomics; (2) the Molecular Genomics Core (MGC) providing 10x Genomics-based single cell and spatial transcriptomics, SNP genotyping, and digital immunoassay services; (3) the Human Physiology Testing Core delivering clinical physiology assessments including exercise testing and metabolic measurements; (4) the Biomarkers Core for biomarker detection; and (5) Research Informatics maintaining the PEDIGENE database system for multi-omic data management. Together, these cores enable integrated multi-omics and physiologic profiling of chronic human diseases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metabolomics/Proteomics Core Provides targeted and non-targeted metabolomics, stable isotope-based metabolic flux analysis, MS-based proteomics (Q Exactive Plus Orbitrap with EASY-nLC 1200 UHPLC), and O-Link proteomics platform services for comprehensive metabolic profiling of biological samples. Operates 13 MS instruments measuring 300+ metabolites including acylcarnitines, amino acids, acyl CoAs, organic acids, ceramides, sphingomyelins, and nucleotides. Used by Duke researchers and external collaborators.
• Molecular Genomics Core (MGC) Offers single cell/nuclei sequencing (10x Genomics Chromium X: 3' and 5' scRNAseq, snRNAseq, Flex/Fixed RNA profiling, V(D)J immune profiling, scATAC-seq), spatial transcriptomics (Xenium in situ sequencing and Visium spatial profiling), SNP genotyping, Quanterix HD-X Simoa digital immunoassay biomarker detection, multimodal cellular analysis, and sample quality assessment services.
• Human Physiology Testing Core Offers clinical testing services including cardiopulmonary exercise testing, resting metabolic rate assessment, oral glucose tolerance tests, body composition analysis, and muscle biopsy services. Located at the Duke Center for Living, 3475 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC.
• Biomarkers Core Provides biomarker detection and analysis services for research studies, supporting molecular profiling of biological samples for chronic disease research.
• Research Informatics (PEDIGENE Database System) Provides the PEDIGENE database management system for managing large-scale clinical, pedigree, molecular, and DNA sample data across family and population studies. Stores family history on 500,000+ individuals and 6,000 families, 100,000 DNA samples, 460,000 metabolite results, and billions of genotypes. CTSA-affiliated core.

Quantifiable outcome

• Led or co-authored >300 publications in leading scientific journals
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIH Common Fund - Precision Nutrition InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022DMPI Metabolomics Lab awarded $3.2M NIH Common Fund grant to become part of Metabolomics and Clinical Assay Core (MCAC) for Precision Nutrition Initiative. Collaboration with UNC Nutrition Research Institute, UNC-Charlotte, and NC State.
• MoTrPAC (Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMPI Metabolomics Core is a key component of the NIH-funded MoTrPAC consortium investigating molecular transducers of physical activity
• UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, NC A&TcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through North Carolina Diabetes Research Center (NCDRC) funded by Diabetes and Endocrine Research Center award shared by Duke and these institutions
• RADIANT ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIH-sponsored RADIANT consortium investigating atypical forms of diabetes with DMPI involvement
• Duke Clinical Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration for biomarker discovery efforts in large clinical trials and cardiometabolic cohort studies
• Environmental Protection AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on gene-environment interactions studying effects of air pollution on cardiovascular health
• 10x GenomicscoreTechnology or IntegrationEarly adopter of 10x Genomics single cell and spatial expression profiling technologies including Xenium, Visium, and Chromium platforms
• CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Awards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEDIGENE database system is CTSA-affiliated core for managing clinical, pedigree, molecular, and DNA sample data

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Broad Institute: MIT/Harvard-affiliated institute operating large-scale multi-omics, genomics, and proteomics platforms (e.g., Broad Metabolomics Platform, Single Cell Portal). Comparable to DMPI as an academic multi-omics research hub, but materially larger in scope and funding.
• Metabolon: Commercial metabolomics leader offering targeted and untargeted assays and a proprietary reference library of metabolites. Comparable as a large-scale metabolomics service provider competing for the same external research customers.
• Regeneron Genetics Center: Industry-scale human genetics and genomics sequencing center with massive linked genotype-phenotype datasets. Comparable in operating at the intersection of large-scale genomics and chronic disease biology, though with a commercial sponsor.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Metabolomics & Proteomics Services): Major life-sciences tools and CRO provider offering mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics and proteomics services through its PPD laboratory business. Comparable as a commercial multi-omics services competitor.

Emerging players

• Nightingale Health: Commercial blood metabolomics platform focused on large-population health and disease risk biomarkers. Comparable to DMPI's targeted metabolomics work applied at scale for chronic-disease research.
• Olink: Commercial proteomics company using proximity extension assay technology for high-multiplex biomarker discovery. Comparable to DMPI's proteomics and Biomarkers Core services for translational research customers.

Direct peers

• Buck Institute for Research on Aging: Independent research institute focused on aging and chronic disease using multi-omics approaches (metabolomics, proteomics, genomics). Comparable as an academic institute studying chronic disease mechanisms via integrated omics.
• Scripps Research Metabolomics Core: Scripps Research operates mass-spec-based metabolomics and proteomics cores supporting biomedical research. Comparable as an academic metabolomics/proteomics service core focused on chronic disease research.
• Yale Center for Genomic Health: Yale core offering genomic profiling, sequencing, and multi-omic clinical research services. Comparable as an academic genomics / multi-omics core supporting translational research.
• Stanford ChEM-H (Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine for Human Health): Stanford institute integrating chemistry, engineering, and medicine to advance human health, with multi-omics and metabolomics capabilities. Directly comparable as an academic multi-omics / physiology research institute.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/duke-molecular-physiology-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Duke Molecular Physiology Institute