A Shared Neuroscience Platform for National Dissemination and Training in Brain Organogenesis, Behavioral and Brain Disease Models, Viral Vectors, and Imaging Technologies

Advances in neuroscience depend on robust in vivo and in vitro models with innovative technologies to carry out functional and mechanistic studies accompanied by advanced imaging techniques. The Human Brain Organogenesis Program (HBOP), Behavioral and Functional Neuroscience Laboratory (BFNL), Gene Vector and Virus Core (GVVC), and Neuroscience Microscopy Services (NMS) make up a platform, the Stanford Neuroscience Research Center (SNRC), for centralization and dissemination of innovative neuroscience models, reagents and methods. The vision of SNRC is to provide an integrated platform in which users can expand their research to areas outside their expertise or engage multiple modalities in their research, such as applying viral vector approaches and neuroimaging approaches to behavioral models of disease or human organoid cultures. SNRC outreach will approach Neuroscience departments nationally with a call for applications for 6 fully-funded merit-based pilot studies designed to engage diverse SNRC resources. We will also offer comprehensive workshops on techniques and teach participants how to apply and integrate novel approaches into their current research programs. SNRC is strategically equipped with resources to provide critical support to a range of national research projects and has supported over 500 labs nationwide with over 200 peer-reviewed publications in the last decade. SNRC has a growing national user base from institutions including Yale, Harvard, University of Missouri, Cornell, Princeton, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas, MIT, and many more. Investigators anywhere in the world can request a viral vector, phenotype rodent lines, or have an in vivo stroke study or an efficacy study in a model of neurodegenerative disease run remotely. Anyone can attend a workshop for training in behavioral models, 3D imaging of whole brains, or methods for 3D human cellular models (organoids and assembloids). SNRC supports many small and large biotech companies in proof of concept efficacy studies of clinical drug candidates. This contribution has supported the advancement of these projects to human clinical studies. Through SNRC, academic users will have access to these same industry- standard efficacy studies. All SNRC activities will be supervised by a steering committee consisting of external, internal, and NIH members. Under this U24 grant, we will disseminate essential and cutting-edge resources. We will expand our external user network to share emerging technologies with the Pilot Study program and Annual Workshops. BFNL will expand its automated testing and data processing capabilities, including the Digilab cloud- based automated behavioral phenotyping system. GVVC will set up large-scale viral production as well as higher-level purification technology. NMS will include training classes in STARmap genomic imaging and array tomography proteomic imaging. Under this program, SNRC will engage with the national neuroscience community via newly improved resource sharing websites, hands-on instruction, and annual in-person or online workshops to facilitate networks for collaboration and acceleration of discoveries in brain function and pathology.