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Description
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – ANIMAL PHENOTYPING
Phenotyping animal models of disease is a critical element in our Center’s goal to understand, effectively treat,
and when possible, prevent intellectual and developmental disabilities in children. Accordingly, the mission of
the Animal Phenotyping Core (Core E, AP) is to assist investigators seeking to discover behavioral,
physiological, structural and metabolic phenotypes in diverse rodent models of intellectual and developmental
disabilities. The AP Core performs studies primarily in mice and rats to identify the functional alterations
resulting from genetic, developmental or environmental manipulations that may impair neural and behavioral
development. These include changes in developmental milestones, sensorimotor function, cognitive function,
affective and social behaviors, feeding and activity patterns, body composition and/or energy expenditure,
patterns of brain activity and anatomy as assessed by brain imaging in MRI/DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) and
PET scans. The AP Core accomplishes its goals through SubCores focused on (1) behavior, (2) metabolism,
and (3) brain imaging. By combining existing capabilities and highly experienced faculty we have established
an animal phenotyping facility uniquely suited to plan, perform and evaluate coordinated behavioral, metabolic,
and functional neuroimaging assessments in developing and adult rodents. Through close collaborative efforts
with the Neural Cell Engineering and Imaging (NCEI) Core and the Human Clinical Phenotyping (HCP) Core,
as well as the Neurogenomics (NGEN) Core, the consequences of defined genetic, environmental and/or
physiological alterations are thoroughly characterized to determine their impact in the context of measures
most relevant and translatable to the human disease phenotype. The AP Core also makes critical contributions
to Aim 2 of the RFK IDDRC signature research project focused on links between mutations in KDM5C and
IDD. In addition to the wide range of expertise of its leadership and the resources they bring to this effort, the
AP Core also emphasizes the importance of integration across measurement and analytical capabilities, i.e., it
facilitates a combination of methodological approaches such as pursuit of brain imaging simultaneously with
behavioral studies. We also emphasize, when possible, phenotyping techniques that are most comparable to
those used in children with IDD. In pursuit of these scientific objectives, the AP Core leadership, in concert
with ADM Core oversight, also carefully monitors IDDRC investigator Core access and user satisfaction, cost
effectiveness and quality control.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 7/23/21 → 5/31/23 |
Funding
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: $173,286.00
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: $166,666.00
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Projects
- 1 Finished
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SUPPORT FOR THE ROSE F KENNEDY IDDRC P50
Molholm, S. & Walkley, S. U.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
7/23/21 → 5/31/22
Project: Research project