# NEURAL CELL ENGINEERING AND IMAGING CORE

> **NIH NIH P50** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $166,666

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – (Core D: NCEI Core) 
The Neural Cell Engineering and Imaging Core (Core D, NCEI) has been a vital component of the Kennedy 
Center for 30 years, steadily growing in resources and user base, with 70 individuals from 50 IDDRC 
laboratories utilizing the Core in the last 3 years alone. The NCEI Core consists of 3 major divisions: The Cell 
and Tissue Engineering Subcore, with facilities and expertise for cell/tissue culture work including primary, 
embryonic, iPS cells and modern neural differentiation protocols. The Modern Microscopy Subcore, with 
instruments for tissue sectioning and imaging. And the Analysis and Graphics Subcore, which provides 
workstations with sophisticated software for deconvolution, quantitative 2D to 5D image analyses and 
reconstruction, custom software and macros, as well as graphics and printing services. To optimize use of 
these tools for IDDRC investigators and their trainees, NCEI leadership provides in-depth user consultation, 
emphasizes well-planned experimental design, and engages in vigilant monitoring of project progress. The 
Core’s value is extended linkage with expert advisors allowing studies on gene targeting, gene therapy, RNA 
constructs, optogenetics, electrophysiology, and human ES, iPS and fetal cells, including organoids. 
Productivity and innovation are also enhanced by interaction with other IDDRC Cores, coordinating, e.g., 
studies correlating brain cell and anatomic changes with behavioral phenotypes (AP), genetic or epigenetic 
evaluations on isolated cell subpopulations/single cells (NGEN), and translational studies on reprogrammed 
cells and iPSC-derived organoids from patients (HCP). Core resources also serve the P50 research project on 
KDM5C disease by providing imaging and quantitative analyses of changes in gene expression, analysis of 
neural subtypes and dendritic changes in mouse models, and generating iPS cells/organoids and 
differentiating neurons from patient samples carrying KDM5C mutations. The Core maintains high standards of 
quality control through scheduled internal evaluations and the annual user survey carried out by the ADM 
Core. Collectively, the NCEI Core represents a significant part of the scientific bridge between genetics and 
cognitive phenotypes and as such has a broad and significant impact on the research carried out by IDDRC 
investigators and their trainees focused on, and critical to, understanding and treating IDDs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10239751
- **Project number:** 1P50HD105352-01
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** KOSTANTIN DOBRENIS
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $166,666
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-23 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10239751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10239751, NEURAL CELL ENGINEERING AND IMAGING CORE (1P50HD105352-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10239751. Licensed CC0.

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