(Bioanalytic Core, Sanchez) The Bioanalytic Core is a multifunctional core that will support the research efforts of each of the Projects by providing histological services, developing new innovative techniques and assays, and by training members of the Center to improve their own technical skills.
The Aims of the Bioanalytic Core are: (1) To Provide basic neurohistology services for verification of probe placement or injection sites for Projects 1-4, including brain sectioning, histological staining, and immunohistochemistry for viral vector detection, and microscopy for reconstruction of recording and injection sites. (2) To provide assay services and to develop new techniques for molecular characterization of specific cell types, and for validating novel CRISPR viral vectors for Projects 1-4. These services include OXTR autoradiography, and the highly sensitive RNAScope mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) technique to co-localize mRNA in cells for the purpose of molecular phenotyping. This technique will allow for the co-localization of mRNA for OXTR with other neuromodulator systems such as dopamine D1 and D2 receptors or with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). We will also develop PCR/sequencing or Western assays to validate viral vector mediated CRISPR editing of OXTR or OT gene for Projects 1 and 3. Finally, the core will perform genotyping for OXTR polymorphisms in prairie voles in support of Projects 1 and 2. (3) To provide training in the techniques used in the Core to make sure that students, postdoctoral fellows, staff and trainees of the Center gain experience in basic histology and staining, autoradiography, ISH, IHC, neuroanatomy and fluorescent microscopy, which will be useful for their future career development. The services of the Bioanalytic Core will facilitate progress in every project and will serve as the center memory for techniques as trainees come and go. We will also develop new assays as needed and will perform basic neurohistology with standardization across projects while freeing up time for trainees to make progress in their own projects. The Bioanalytic Core is supported by the strong neuroanatomical expertise of the PI (Sanchez) in mapping neuropeptide and steroid receptors in the primate brain, studies performed in collaboration with the Center PI (Young), who has additional expertise with OT receptor systems both in rodent and primate brain. Co-investigator Kiyoshi Inoue brings critical extensive expertise in situ hybridization using RNAScope, OXTR autoradiography, general histology for probe anatomical verification, immunohistochemistry, and genotyping the prairie vole OXTR gene. These services will facilitate the integrated research programs of the Conte Center by providing unified and standardized services for each of the Projects, and allow investigators for the first time to identify the molecular phenotype of neurons activated by the OT system, and facilitate validation of new techniques such as optogenetic transgene expression and CRISPR editing of the OT system. These services will streamline the research activity of the Projects to maximize their productivity, while also providing valuable training on each of the techniques used to all Conte personnel who wish to learn these techniques.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Specialized Center (P50)
Project #
5P50MH100023-09
Application #
10090657
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1)
Project Start
2013-07-01
Project End
2023-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Type
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Dobolyi, Arpad; Cservenák, Melinda; Young, Larry J (2018) Thalamic integration of social stimuli regulating parental behavior and the oxytocin system. Front Neuroendocrinol 51:102-115
Rogers, Christina N; Ross, Amy P; Sahu, Shweta P et al. (2018) Oxytocin- and arginine vasopressin-containing fibers in the cortex of humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaques. Am J Primatol 80:e22875
Ortiz, Juan J; Portillo, Wendy; Paredes, Raul G et al. (2018) Resting state brain networks in the prairie vole. Sci Rep 8:1231
Putnam, Philip T; Young, Larry J; Gothard, Katalin M (2018) Bridging the gap between rodents and humans: The role of non-human primates in oxytocin research. Am J Primatol 80:e22756
Bosch, Oliver J; Young, Larry J (2018) Oxytocin and Social Relationships: From Attachment to Bond Disruption. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 35:97-117
Andari, Elissar; Hurlemann, Rene; Young, Larry J (2018) A Precision Medicine Approach to Oxytocin Trials. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 35:559-590
Miranda-Dominguez, Oscar; Feczko, Eric; Grayson, David S et al. (2018) Heritability of the human connectome: A connectotyping study. Netw Neurosci 2:175-199
Li, Gaizhi; Liu, Penghong; Andari, Elissar et al. (2018) The Role of Amygdala in Patients With Euthymic Bipolar Disorder During Resting State. Front Psychiatry 9:445
Walum, Hasse; Young, Larry J (2018) The neural mechanisms and circuitry of the pair bond. Nat Rev Neurosci 19:643-654
Pohl, Tobias T; Young, Larry J; Bosch, Oliver J (2018) Lost connections: Oxytocin and the neural, physiological, and behavioral consequences of disrupted relationships. Int J Psychophysiol :

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