# The Supramolecular Architecture of the Postsynaptic Density

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $340,813

## Abstract

This project addresses the architecture of neuropil in the human cerebral cortex. Aim 1 uses material from
surgically-resected temporal lobe to perform high-resolution quantitative electron microscopic studies of the
structure of excitatory synapses, including synapses onto identified classes of interneurons. Using the same
biological material, Aim 2 performs quantitative immunogold electron microscopy to define the architecture of a
number of different molecules abundant in the postsynaptic density, focusing on proteins whose mutations are
implicated in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disease, especially schizophrenia. Aim 3 performs
work similar to that specified for Aims 1 and 2, but focusing on cortical organoids cultured in vitro. These
results will make it possible to compare the structure and molecular organization of synapses in culture with
synapses in intact brain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10000160
- **Project number:** 5R01NS039444-18
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD J WEINBERG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $340,813
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1999-10-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10000160

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10000160, The Supramolecular Architecture of the Postsynaptic Density (5R01NS039444-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10000160. Licensed CC0.

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