Resource Core 3 - Teaching/Training/Dissemination Core (TTDC)

Resource Core 3 - Teaching/Training/Dissemination Core (TTDC) Leads: Maisie Lo PhD and Kristin Overton PhD Summary The TTDC’s teaching mission specifically leverages our educational infrastructure for advancing the application of modern neurotechnology methods in short (3-day) or extended-format (3-week) workshops. As key papers are published, the specific methods are taught including 1) circuit optics (frame-projected independent-fiber photometry during behavior, widefield cortical imaging during behavior, and single-cell all- optical 2P interfacing (observation and control) during behavior) as well as 2) circuit molecular anatomy (CLARITY/COLM: latest-generation CLARITY volume acquisition, quantification, and analysis across species; INTRSECT/vCAPTURE: viral targeting for anatomically- and connectivity-specified cellular-resolution activity visualization and causal control designed to take into account history of the cell (including past cellular activity during behavior); and STARmap: species-independent tools for deep molecular phenotyping of circuit elements naturally used during specific behaviors and linked to 3D positioning in tissue). Teaching methods are based on our years of experience with teaching neuroscience technologies like optogenetics, as well as our familiarity with some of the latest curriculum-structure ideas for practical engineering training-- which arise from U19 PI and curriculum creator Karl Deisseroth’s experience as director of undergraduate education (including lab courses) in Bioengineering at Stanford. The mission and scope of the technology cores (POC and PMAC) versus the training core (TTDC) are well-separated. The technology cores, as described therein, will be engaged with developing new advanced technology to advance the leading edge of optical and molecular anatomy methods over the lifetime of the U19, while also ensuring that the U19 members have access to these new methodologies. In contrast, the TTDC is tasked with dissemination of already-developed, more established, robust, and well- validated, technologies to the broader NIH BRAIN community (as well as to any U19 members who will require these foundational skills and technologies before advancing to the newer strategies).