The histology and stereology support core was created to maximize the use of available resources formouse brain tissue processing, paraffin or cryo- embedding, serial sectioning and histological staining ofsections for stereology and collaborative studies involving Projects 1, 2, 3 and 4. Core B also providesequipment, supplies and expertise required for the processing, embedding, sectioning and histologicalstaining of brain tissue from patients ascertained through the Director and clinical collaborators. The goals ofCore B include:1. Preparation of tissue and standardization of stereological methods in adult and postnatal brain ofgenetic mouse models. For all models in the PPG the core will produce material facilitating the directcomparison of mouse strains using highly standardized histological and quantitative anatomical methods.2. Whole-brain phenotyping of models. Brains will be paraffin-embedded at key postnatal ages forphenotyping with histochemical (H&E/NissI) and immunological stains. Data will include sizes of majornuclei; total cell number and pathological cell profiles. Projection neuron representation will be assessedby cell morphology and immunohistochemistry (IHC).3. Archiving brains of behaviorally characterized mice. The time and resources invested in behavioraltesting makes it cost effective to paraffin embed and archive all brains from behavioral studies. Thesetissues can be used to confirm an anatomical effect in the same cohort or test posf hoc hypothesesrelated to known behavioral phenotypes.4. Archiving embryos (some BrdU pulse-labeled) of multiple genotypes at a range of gestational ages.Extra embryos generated by Projects 1,2 & 3 experiments will be processed, paraffin embedded andarchived to be available for later investigation of new questions and hypotheses as the work progresses.5. Correlative human brain pathology. While rodent models suggest that human disorders affectingprimarily interneurons are likely, human data are mostly lacking. Core B will process tissue blocks or fixedtissues ascertained through the Director and clinical collaborators. Slides prepared for histochemistry andIHC in Core B will be analyzed by Project 1 and 2 investigators.6. Mouse inventory and identification. Although each project will maintain its own mouse lines, Core B,will periodically update the nomenclature and inventory of genetic models available through the PPG andfacilitate coordination across projects in order to procure and facilitate initial analysis of useful lines andcrosses.
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