# Behavioral Phenotyping

> **NIH NIH P50** · JACKSON LABORATORY · 2020 · $340,113

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY CORE B: BEHAVIORAL PHENOTYPING
The Behavioral Phenotyping Core will be responsible for integrating behavioral testing protocols and executing
multidimensional phenotyping batteries in support of the Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction
(CSNA). The Mouse Neurobehavioral Phenotyping Facility (MNBF) at The Jackson Laboratory is a dedicated
behavioral testing facility optimized for conducting sensitive studies in laboratory mice with a mission to provide
investigators the resources and expertise required to conduct comprehensive and complex neurobehavioral
testing. As a research core, the MNBF is well-positioned with its existing infrastructure to support large-scale
characterization of behavioral phenotypes relevant to the genetic underpinnings of addiction. In the proposed
Center, the MNBF will provide advanced behavioral phenotyping capabilities and instrumentation in close
proximity to mouse resources, along with dedicated staff proficient in conducting these procedures and highly
trained in behavioral testing of mice of various inbred strains and the heterogeneous, highly diverse outbred
mouse populations. In addition to the execution of experiments, the Core will support interpretation of complex
behaviors, contribute to biobanking efforts, maintain and provide access to testing protocols, data pre-
processing and transfer through the LIMS system to the IGGC for a publicly available data repository in close
coordination with the Integrative Genetics and Genomics Core. A critical challenge for many investigators
wishing to employ mouse genetics research, particularly in heterogeneous and diverse mouse populations, is
the scale and complexity of experimentation as well as the critical requirements of expertise, particularly in
behavioral testing. We propose three Specific Aims: Aim 1: We will validate complex behavioral tests relevant
to addiction-related behaviors; integrating them into a multidimensional phenotyping battery. The Core will
adopt protocols from the CSNA project leaders and demonstrate through cross-laboratory assay validation the
utility, robustness, reliability, and the ability to integrate the testing paradigms into a multidimensional testing
battery. This aim will also support the demonstration of the proficiency of staff to execute complex testing
batteries and also help to inform assay throughput as well as inter-strain variability. Aim 2: We will perform the
behavioral characterization of diverse genetic, heterogeneous mouse populations (i.e., Collaborative Cross,
DO strains) through the multidimensional phenotyping batteries in support of the CSNA research projects.
Following assay validation, as defined by the ability to reproduce data in select founder strains as published by
the CSNA project leaders, we will focus on applying the expertise of trained staff to execute the integrated
testing batteries on these mouse populations under the guidance of the CSNA project leaders. Aim 3: We will
provide...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9933844
- **Project number:** 5P50DA039841-05
- **Recipient organization:** JACKSON LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** Stacey J Rizzo
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $340,113
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9933844

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9933844, Behavioral Phenotyping (5P50DA039841-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9933844. Licensed CC0.

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