Lipids and Energy Study: Optimizing the Analysis of Lipids and Energy Metabolism in Blood Samples

The proposed research is a feasibility pilot trial designed to optimize the remote collection dried blood spots (DBS) from a finger stick and the analysis of fatty acid from the DBS and to optimize the analysis of mitochondria activity (or energy metabolism) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or white blood cell samples. Participants in this study will provide a blood sample from venous blood draw and finger sticks. One finger stick collection will be completed remotely using a DBS kit that is sent through the mail while the other finger stick collection will be completed at the research site. These samples will be use to optimize the method for measuring fatty acids and mitochondria function as well as measure other lipids, insulin, glucose and markers of inflammation using established protocols. Demographic, dietary, sleep, and physical activity information will be measured using questionnaires, while height and weight will be measured to calculate body mass index (BMI).