# Mouse Behavior Phenotyping Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $361,952

## Abstract

MOUSE BEHAVIORAL PHENOTYPING CORE – PROJECT SUMMARY
The COBRE in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Core (MBPC) provides
equipment, expertise, and training to NDD investigators integrating mouse behavioral assessment into their
research programs. The core provides support for investigators at all points in their studies, including
consultations on appropriate animal models, husbandry training (genotyping, breeding), designing and running
experiments, data analysis, display, and interpretation. The goal of the MBPC is to maintain and expand the use
of behavior assays with relevance to NDD, provide technical expertise in the use of multiple mouse behavior
paradigms, and remove barriers to entry and provide detailed training for COBRE investigators interested in
using mouse behavior methods in their studies. The MBPC houses an array of behavioral apparatuses that allow
for phenotyping of motor, mood, learning and memory, social, and other NDD-relevant phenotypes. This includes
1) assessment of ambulatory, rearing, and stereotypy behaviors using open fields, locomotor chambers with
multi-level IR-beam arrays, rotorods, and balance beam; 2) multiple anxiety assays (elevated plus, open field,
marble burying, light/dark box) and mood-related tests (sucrose preference, forced swim test, tube test, novelty
preference) and 5-choice serial reaction time testing for impulsivity; 3) assays designed to test working, short,
and long-term memory including Barnes maze, T-maze, fear conditioning, fear potentiated startle, sucrose self-
administration; 4) social assays including social interaction and preference in open field and 3-chamber
variations, USV communication assays for distress and social calls in pups and adults. In addition, the MBPC
proposes to expand offerings to include EEG and telemetry monitoring to provide information on sleep, seizure,
and other physiological measures and advanced behavior analysis using AI-assisted pose estimation and motif
identification. In addition to providing training and access to available equipment, NDD investigators also have
the option for studies to be run by the MBPC animal technician. To achieve the stated objectives, the MBPC will
be composed of three aims as follows: 1) Maintain, expand, and develop behavior assays with relevance to
NDD, 2) Provide access to expert technical assistance to design, conduct, and analyze mouse behavior assays,
and 3) Support and mentor Junior Investigators and CNDD members as they develop and integrate mouse
behavior models into their research programs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10814756
- **Project number:** 5P20GM148302-02
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Rachel Penrod-Martin
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $361,952
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2028-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10814756

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10814756, Mouse Behavior Phenotyping Core (5P20GM148302-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10814756. Licensed CC0.

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