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Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience Research Core Resources

Dedicated to building research infrastructure at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and by enhancing the methodological sophistication of the psychiatric neuroscience research endeavors of UMMC faculty, the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience (CPN) provides access to psychiatrically characterized post-mortem brain specimens, state-of-the-art equipment, cutting edge technologies and the technical advice of highly trained faculty members who serve as core directors. The CPN Research Resources Cores are funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant P30GM103328. The sophisticated imaging systems and biotechnologically advanced molecular and genomics core resources are provided on a shared-use basis to CPN and UMMC researchers.

The CPN Research Resources Cores include the Postmortem Brain Core, Animal Behavior Core, Imaging Core and Molecular and Genomics Core.

• Postmortem Brain Core - provides post-mortem brain specimens from psychiatrically characterized subjects and matched normal control subjects for studies of human brain biology.
• Animal Behavior Core - provides a centralized facility with equipment, expertise and testing procedures, as a central base of physical space, mentoring and technical approaches for investigators seeking a functional whole animal measure of CNS activity under normal and pathological conditions. Affording investigators the opportunity to add value and depth to their molecular, cellular, anatomical and pharmacological approaches to neuroscience by providing them with a means of determining the behavioral phenotype of the model they are studying and the way in which that phenotype can respond to manipulation.
• Imaging Core - a centralized base for state-of-the-art microscopes and related equipment with advanced capabilities in the visualization, quantification and interpretation of neuronal systems at the cellular level. Training and assistance are provided in the use of microscopic equipment and quantitative morphological techniques as well as the design of experiments, performance and interpretation of results and writing of manuscripts and grant applications.
• Molecular and Genomics Core - support genetic based research initiatives across all university departments and centers through providing technical expertise in molecular biology, molecular genetics and genomics through access to state-of-the-art technologies, training and mentoring to enhance basic and clinical research related to psychiatric diseases. This Core component of the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience (CPN) will leverage the considerable infrastructure of the Institutional Core to assist investigators at UMMC and other COBRE and INBRE funding sites within the state of Mississippi.