KSCIRC Neuroscience Cores
The mission of each of the KSCIRC Neuroscience Cores is to support and enhance neuroscience research by assisting in research project development, reviewing research, molecular biology, tissue culture, surgical models, animal behavior, and imaging
KNC Director: Scott R. Whittemore, Ph.D.
Core A - Project Development and Analysis
Core A functions to:
Learn More...- Administer and oversee the Core facilities. This includes scheduling and documenting Core-related meetings, all Core-related space and Physical Plant, and personnel issues.
- Biostatistical assistance and analysis including consultation on experimental design, adequately powering projected sample size requirements, determining the appropriate statistical procedures for analysis, assessment tests, and periodically, developing new testing procedures and establishing protocols for their implementation, and thorough documentation of all testing procedures.
- Grant and experimental design mentorship by senior KSCIRC faculty. Grants and experiments will be pre-reviewed by KSCIRC faculty.
- Overseeing pilot grants. Funding for up to 3 pilot project grants will be awarded each year of funding. The criteria for judging these awards will be based both on preference to unfunded PIs and innovation/perceived benefit to SCI research. These awards will be potentially renewable, but such a grant will have to compete with the entire pool of applicants.
Director: Scott R. Whittemore, Ph.D.
Staff: Ruth O'Bryan
Janet Herbener
Core B - Molecular Biology & Tissue Culture
Core B functions to:
- design and produce viral vectors/expression plasmids required
- provide primary cells/cell lines required
- create a learning environment for the PIs and their trainees so that they can become self-sufficient in properly designing and interpreting experiments using the gene delivery/cell culture systems
- provide assistance in and/or development of other innovative molecular biological methodologies needed to facilitate the research programs of laboratories
Director: Michal Hetman, M.D., Ph.D.
Staff: Russell M. Howard, M.S., M.B.A
Core C - Surgery & Animal Care
Core C functions to:
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- provide standardized rat and mouse surgery and other animal procedures
- provide extensive training for research personnel on surgical procedures, anesthesia, animal pre- and post-op care and the use of the three different spinal cord injury devices present in the Core
- assist laboratories to develop and establish novel surgical procedures
Director: Theo Hagg, M.D., Ph.D.
Staff: Christine Nunn
Kimberly Fentress
Core D - Animal Behavior & Electrophysiology
Core D functions to:
Learn More...- provide a knowledge base and expertise to facilitate standardized behavioral and electrophysiological assessments of rats and mice.
- train COBRE/KSCIRC PIs to perform high quality behavioral and electrophysiological assessments
- assist with the development of novel behavioral and electrophysiological assessment techniques.
Director: David S. K. Magnuson, Ph.D.
Staff: Darlene Burke, M.S.
Johnny Morehouse
Core E - Imaging
Core E functions to:
Learn More...- provide consultation prior to histological tissue and cell preparation to ensure appropriate and sensitive detection of desired neubiological endpoints that will provide accurate images for analyses
- oversee and assist investigators in microscopic imaging of these readouts
- provide consultation on appropriate analyses of captured readouts.
- develop novel microscopy-based endpoint measures of the pathobiology of CNS trauma, as well as the evaluation of the efficacy of putative therapeutics.
Director: Richard L. Benton, Ph.D.
Staff: Melissa Maddie, M.S.
Core F - The Human Locomotion Research Laboratory
The Human Locomotion Research Laboratory has been operational for 12 years, most recently at the University of Louisville and Frazier Rehab Institute, for 4 years.
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Director: Susan Harkema, Ph.D.
Staff: Andrea Wilhite, Research Associate.
Thanksgiving Break
Bucks for Brains Feature with Dr. Scott Whittemore
