# Cells, Circuits, Systems (Core C)

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $159,171

## Abstract

CORE C: Abstract 
The need for physiological assessments was generated by UC-TRaN faculty who required 
electrophysiological studies beyond collaborations. These electrophysiological assessments 
consisted of experiments performed in brain slices, acutely isolated neurons or in cultures, 
providing a functional analysis of changes in neurons, local circuits and microcircuits induced 
primarily by genetic alterations in cellular, mouse or rat models. The first objective of Core C will 
be to continue these analyses because the need remains and the Core will assist investigators 
with functional analysis at the cellular, circuit, and systems level using state-of-the-art 
electrophysiology and optogenetic recording methods in in vitro and in vivo preparations. 
Recent advances in both genomic and stem cell technologies, particularly hESC and hiPSC, 
have opened the door to new approaches in IDD research based on human cells. For example, 
cortical neurons harboring genetic mutations with a given disorder can in principle be readily 
produced from hiPSC generated from patients. A significant challenge remains to translate this 
promise into new discoveries about the basis of IDD and therapies. The second objective of this 
Core will be to facilitate this process by assisting UC-TRaN investigators to produce, propagate, 
and differentiate hESC and hiPSC into neural and glial cell types of interest to create in vitro 
models of IDD. Another function of the Core is to work with investigators and molecular 
screening resources available at UCLA to harness the potential of these in vitro models for drug 
discovery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9836706
- **Project number:** 5U54HD087101-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** HARLEY IAN KORNBLUM
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $159,171
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2020-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9836706

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9836706, Cells, Circuits, Systems (Core C) (5U54HD087101-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9836706. Licensed CC0.

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