# Animal Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $326,277

## Abstract

The Animal Core will provide essential services and facilities to the preclinical projects in a standardized and
efficient manner, utilizing shared facilities, equipment, and personnel in a coordinated fashion. The services to
be provided to each preclinical project are divided into three specific aims. Dr. Thomas Martin will oversee the
Animal Core and will meet with monthly or as needed with Drs. Hayashida, Peters, and Chen to assure that the
Core efficiently performs these three key functions. Dr. Martin will provide oversight for regulatory affairs within
the Program regarding animal use including approval and compliance with protocols for the IACUC and
Biohazard Safety Committee. Specific Aim 1 is to provide standardized in vivo procedures in animals utilized
by preclinical projects. Both projects involving animals require animal procurement and identification, surgical
preparation, behavioral manipulation using the repeated social defeat (RSD) paradigm, and in vivo
electrophysiological recording of neuronal activity using state-of-the-art wireless technology. Specific Aim 2 it to
provide standardized methods for immunohistochemistry across preclinical projects for verification of viral
mediated protein expression in discreet populations of neurons in brain or spinal cord tissue. These services
include sacrifice and transcardial perfusion with paraformaldehyde, tissue harvest, cryoprotection and
cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescent microscopy including data collection and analysis with
assistance from the Bioinformatics Core. Specific Aim 3 is to provide novel viral constructs to be utilized by
preclinical projects. The two preclinical projects require generation of novel viral constructs that will provide the
necessary tools for completion of specific experiments proposed. While the individual components are
available through commercial sources (Addgene), these individual components must be assembled into
specific vectors for the proposed studies. Dr. Rong Chen has designed subcloning strategies for each vector.
She will also coordinate confirmation of sequences through outside vendors and redesign subcloning
strategies if necessary. These essential functions will standardize and coordinate services and procedures
throughout the Program and provide an efficient and cost-effective structure for collaboration.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9900810
- **Project number:** 5P01GM113852-05
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS JEFFREY MARTIN
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $326,277
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9900810

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9900810, Animal Core (5P01GM113852-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9900810. Licensed CC0.

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