Microscope and tissue preparation core facility for the molecular and neuroanatomical dissection of neurocircuits

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Research aimed at deciphering brain function, and crosstalk between the various brain regions is critical for understanding mental and neurological disorders, but also to apprehend the integrated mechanisms of the brain in relation with other physiological systems. Since highly complex processes are involved, accurate and efficient ways of monitoring neuronal cell function and their connections are needed. In particular, one needs to assess gene and protein expression in different tissues under various normal and pathological conditions, as well as in response to drugs that represent potential targets for treatment. This application is to request funding for a core facility that will allow to process brain tissues from the collection phase (perfusion table) and preparation (cryostat, vibratome) to the analysis of genes and proteins using specialized fluorescence microscopy. This equipment will be used to study how the various regions of the brain are interconnected in broad networks and how genes and proteins are modified in these networks when animal models of mental illness are examined. Building on a complete behavioral assessment of the animals using facilities already in place at the Douglas Institute, this facility will enable us to link the biochemical and genetic changes to the behavioral impairments that often characterize mental pathologies. We wish to use this facility to enhance the potential of various aspects of our research in particular the NSERC research programs of each of the applicants, which rely heavily on the use of the equipment included in this core facility. An additional benefit of acquiring this equipment will be improved training of undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows in cellular and molecular techniques: the use of the advanced and powerful technology of the requested facility will constitute an important part of their diversified training in neuroscience.