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Behavioral Core
The mission of the Behavior Core is threefold. Firstly, we aim to provide reliable and translational rodent models of human diseases and behaviors. Secondly, we aim to disseminate expertise in the behavioral sciences to the other members of the Kennedy Center and the University. Lastly, we exist also to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical studies and to foster collaboration and synergy between disciplines. The Behavioral Core provides expertise staff and behavioral testing equipment for mice and rats. These tests are broadly applicable to the study of heritable and developmental disorders of cognitive function, sensorimotor disorders, psychiatric and affective disorders, neuropathologicial diseases, aging and social interactions. Facilities and Resources The Core aims to facilitate functional testing at every level. Some of our resources and services include:
Tests and Equipment Presently Available
The first priority of this core is to support the research efforts of investigators who are studying problems related to the mission of the Kennedy Center, that is to further research on mental retardation and developmental disabilities of the nervous system.
The Cellular and Molecular Neuroimaging Core at the Kennedy Center provides state-of-the-art equipment and technical support for high-resolution microscopy-based studies of the central nervous system spanning from specimen preparation to digital imaging to image processing and quantitative data analysis. The goal of the neuroimaging core is to further the investigation and understanding of neural function down to the single cell level through optical and electron microscopy methods. This includes detection of subcellular structure and molecular expression as well as analysis of cell-cell interactions, cellular sub-types and cytoarchitectonic organization. Equipment is available for preparation of specimens for both light and electron microscopy. Additionally, a laser microdissection and capture facility is available for gene expression and proteomic analyses on selected brain regions, sub-populations of cells, or single cells obtained through cell culture and from tissue specimens. Microscopes include widefield upright and inverted types equipped with digital CCD cameras and camera lucida; two scanning confocal fluorescent microscopes equipped with incubation chambers for live cell and tissue imaging; and a transmission electron microscope. Today’s advanced and precise imaging technology, coupled with an explosion of the types and numbers of cellular probes available for microscopy, has led to greater emphasis on reliable, quantitative analysis of image data. In support of such approaches enabling unique insight into cell type-specific subcellular activities, the neuroimaging core also provides five workstations with a wide-range of advanced image data processing and analysis tools. Some of the capabilities include: EPR deconvolution; 3D and 4D reconstruction; animation production; integrated morphometry; intensity and shape analyses; object recognition; tracking and measurement; and co-localization of multiple probes. These have been used for an extensive array of investigations ranging from neuronal vesicular trafficking to analysis of functional magnetic resonance image data pertaining to human behavior. As part of the neuroimaging core’s policy, the ample and highly experienced staff invests considerable time and effort to insure that new users and established users with new applications can quickly develop successful staining and microscopy protocols, and obtain productive visualization and analysis of results. The objectives of the Cellular and Molecular Neuroimaging Core:
The first priority of this core is to support the research efforts of investigators who are studying problems related to the mission of the Kennedy Center, that is to further research on mental retardation and developmental disabilities of the nervous system.
Neurophysiology Core
The Neurophysiology Core provides consultation on a wide range of peripheral and central nervous system electrophysiologic procedures, as well as fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratories and technical staffing. The Core supports studies that examine the neural mechanisms associated with normal and deviant sensory, motor and cognitive processes. In addition, the Core facilitates the assessment of objective and sensitive electrophysiologic biomarkers for changes associated with genetic knockout or transgenic mouse models. In the mouse, available procedures include: peripheral nerve conduction, neuromuscular function, electroencephalography (EEG), and both non-invasive and intracranial recordings of ensemble neural activity. The Core also has the capacity to provide portable neurophysiology equipment that can be used in a barrier facility. The Neurophysiology Core is located on the 3rd floor and basement of the Kennedy Center. The 3rd floor facilities are fully equipped for electrophysiological assessment of the peripheral and central nervous system in experimental animals, while the basement facilities contain a fully equipped AAALAC- and USDA-approved surgical suite for the pre-, peri- and post-operative surgical care of animal subjects. The latter facility is adjacent to the Animal Institute Satellite Facility within the Kennedy Center. Expertise and equipment are available for electrophysiological recordings in mice, rats, gerbils, cats, dogs and monkeys, and for the analysis of similar data acquired in the human. Objectives of the Neurophysiology Core: Assessment of Central Nervous System Function: Available measures include spontaneous and stimulus-evoked (EEG) with concomitant frequency analysis, auditory, visual and somatosensory evoked potentials, measurement of multiunit activity (MUA) and current source density (CSD). CSD indexes laminar distributions of current sources and sinks reflecting net synaptic excitation and inhibition, whereas MUA reflects changes in the net firing rate of neuronal aggregates. EEG recorded in the unanesthetized preparation affords a measure of pre-seizure activity (i.e., presence of sharp waves) as well as a documentation of the onset, nature and spatial distribution of seizures, if they are present. Frequency analysis of the EEG can provide a measure of change in arousal or of an induced shift in the frequency distribution (e.g., increased gamma activity) associated with a genetic or experimental manipulation. Assessment of Neural Function in Genetically Altered Mice: As scientists in the Kennedy Center develop ever more sophisticated abilities to generate and characterize mutant, transgenic and knockout mice, there is a growing need to examine a physiological phenotype for these constructs. The Neurophysiology Core has worked with a large number of investigators to record detailed intracranial evoked potential, in normal and genetically altered mice. The use of multicontact electrodes and multiple unit activity and the ability to work directly in a barrier facility has greatly facilitated these efforts. Assessment of Peripheral Nervous System Function: The Neurophysiology Core offers the physiological expertise and equipment necessary to explore functional deficits in peripheral nerve function, such as altered conduction, changes in synchrony or excitability. The Core has pioneered novel procedures for the direct assessment of patterns of activity in smaller diameter myelinated and unmyelinated afferent axons, including somatic nerve C-fibers and asynchronous activity in distal autonomic nerves (e.g., cavernous nerve). Education and Training: A key element of the service provided by the Neurophysiology Core is consultation with investigators during the early phase of study design. These sessions can often outline the most appropriate procedures, and they can raise issues dealing with adequate statistical power and optimal recording procedures and schedules. The first priority of this core is to support the research efforts of investigators who are studying problems related to the mission of the Kennedy Center, that is to further research on mental retardation and developmental disabilities of the nervous system.
Tissue Engineering and Cellular Reprogramming Core
The mission of the Tissue Engineering and Cellular Reprogramming Core is to provide an extensive, innovative, state-of-the-art and interdisciplinary array of user services that helps to facilitate and enhance the research programs of Kennedy Center investigators involved in basic science, translational and clinical research initiatives related to developmental disorders of the nervous system, associated co-morbidities and innovative therapeutic initiatives involving cell-, genetic-, epigenetic- and advanced pharmacological-based technologies. Our overall goal is to provide an integrated research environment that allows Center investigators to examine the biological properties of a variety of cell types. Available cell types include pluripotent embryonic stem cells and regional embryonic, postnatal and adult neural multipotent stem cells, more lineage-restricted progenitor species and their more differentiated neuronal and glial progeny and regional neural cell subtypes. The Core facilitates the combined use of in vitro and in vivo approaches to study gene-environmental interactions, functional and molecular perturbations in response to genetic and acquired developmental disorders and to use these comparative datasets to develop novel approaches to neural cell protection and repair, including complete tissue remodeling and genetic re-programming. We provide extensive training, oversight, assistance and facilities and resource allocations to help expedite these interdisciplinary scientific and translational medicine goals. The broad scientific and technical expertise of our faculty and staff helps to ensure that particularly novel and cross-disciplinary investigations can be fostered and adapted to the increasingly sophisticated needs of Center investigators. The objectives of the Core facilities are the following:
The first priority of this core is to support the research efforts of investigators who are studying problems related to the mission of the Kennedy Center, that is to further research on mental retardation and developmental disabilities of the nervous system. |
