Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc/research-cores/cell-and-molecular-imaging.aspx

Description

The goal of the Cell and Molecular Imaging (CMI) Core is to provide RFK-IDDRC investigators with a comprehensive package of expert guidance, training and assistance in all types of optical, electron and related microscopy techniques and image processing, together with access to costly state-of-the-art equipment.

Services

1. To provide consultation on experimental approaches and design
2. To provide training and assistance with specimen preparation and data acquisition
3. To provide training and assistance with data analysis
4. To provide top-quality and readily accessible graphics services

Equipment

• Optical Imaging Facility
• Electron Microscopy Facility
• Laser Capture and Microdissection Facility
• Image Analysis and Graphics Facility

URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc/research-cores/human-clinical-phenotyping.aspx

Description

The Human Clinical Phenotyping (HCP) Core is designed to build a clinical IDD database for use by IDDRC investigators.

Objectives

1. To provide sophisticated phenotyping of participants for RFK-IDDRC investigators, including evaluations of cognition, language, behavior and clinical diagnosis, all performed by our highly qualified clinicians
2. To facilitate diversity in research by recruiting from the local Bronx community
3. To maintain an extensive research-participant database (currently containing 600-plus children) to service important IDD research endeavors
4. To serve as the coordinating hub of the three IDDRC cores that collect human data; indexing when genetic samples are collected by the Neurogenomics Core and when neuroimaging data are collected by the Translational Neuroimaging Core, for a given HCP registrant
5. To develop cutting-edge measures of IDD-relevant phenotypes, such as repetitive movements (Dr. Sylvie Goldman) and multisensory processing (Dr. John Foxe)

Services

• Internet-accessible deidentified participant registry database
• Participant recruitment
• Research-grade clinical diagnosis
• Neuropsychological testing
• Evaluation of peripheral and central auditory processing
• Collection of biosamples
• Assistance with IRB applications for studies involving children

URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc/research-cores/neurogenomics.aspx

Description

The goal of the Neurogenomics Core is to provide the most advanced genomics and epigenomics assays and analyses to support the neurological and neuroscience research goals of the IDDRC community at the RFK-IDDRC. Modern neuroscience and neurology research has an increasing need for sophisticated genome-wide genetic and epigenetic assays in the quest to understand not only disease states but also the normal functioning of the nervous system. With the goals for the IDDRC encompassing areas such as the study of the pathogenesis of autism; the links among nutrition, obesity and brain development; deafness and communication disorders; and the pathogenesis of neurogenetic disorders, both genetic and epigenetic influences are obvious potential factors that must be considered. A strong cutting-edge Neurogenomics Core that supplies access to the most up-to-date sophisticated genomic technologies in a cost-effective and efficient manner is therefore an essential resource within a center such as this.

Services

1. To provide prioritized access to the most advanced epigenomic and genomic molecular assays
2. To provide expert consultation with and training of IDDRC investigators performing these molecular assays
3. To provide expert consultation on experimental approaches and design
4. To maintain an advanced bioinformatic data analysis and management system
5. To provide cost-reduced microgrants to promote pilot and feasibility studies

Equipment

The deliverable goal for the Neurogenomics Core Facility is to allow the investigator to take an interesting experimental question requiring genomic or epigenomic assays, get advice on how to approach the problem, have samples analyzed using powerful technologies and have analyses performed to generate a data set that can be integrated with phenotypic and imaging data.

Massively-parallel sequencing-based assays:

a. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays:

• ChIP-seq

b. Cytosine methylation assays:

• Restriction enzyme-based (HELP-tagging)
• Bisulphite-based (MethylC-seq)

c. Transcription assays:

• Directional transcriptome sequencing
• RNA-seq
• miRNA-seq

d. Genomic sequencing assays:

• Whole genome resequencing
• Targeted resequencing using capture techniques
• De novo sequencing and assembly

Other genomics assays:

• SEQUENCING, Traditional: Plasmid and PCR product sequencing
• MICROARRAYS: Gene expression, Exon, SNP arrays (Affymetrix)
• DNA PURIFICATION: Plasmid and PCR product purification
• FRAGMENT ANALYSIS: High-resolution fluorescent electrophoresis
• PYROSEQUENCING: SNP typing and CpG methylation
• SEQUENOM: SNP typing, CpG methylation, Gene expression
• REAL-TIME PCR: Sybr Green and Taqman assays
• BIOANALYZER: RNA QC

 

 

URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc/research-cores/tissue-engineering-cellular-reprogramming.aspx

Description

The Tissue Engineering and Cellular Reprogramming (TECR) Core provides innovative and state-of-the-art interdisciplinary expertise, equipment, essential molecular, cellular and systems-level reagents and associated equipment and dedicated space techniques for the study of cell and tissue preparations from both human and animal models of intellectual and developmental disorders. These services are designed to facilitate research projects employing a wide variety of experimental approaches ranging from the use of cellular and molecular biology techniques, genomic, epigenomic and systems biological analyses and neurophysiological approaches to the study of distinct animal and human cellular and tissue preparations. The core supplies these services in conjunction with other RFK-IDDRC core facilities and specialized support services by providing extensive training, oversight, facilities and novel and unique resources to expedite these interdisciplinary goals.

Services

1. To provide state-of-the-art equipment and expertise to facilitate the study of a broad variety of cell and tissue types from individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilites as well as from cell and animal models
2. To facilitate combined use of in vitro and in vivo approaches to study individual genes and epigenetic modulators during brain development in health and genetic disease
3. To develop novel therapeutic strategies and promote neural cell protection and/or neural regeneration through genetic and epigenetic cellular reprogramming and tissue engineering

Equipment

• In vitro dissociated cell culture, slice and organotypic and whole embryo cultures
• Embryonic stem (ES) cell experimental applications
• Viral vector cellular manipulations for in vitro and in vivo applications
• Human fetal cell experimentation
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for analytical and preparatory experimental approaches
• Quantitative analysis of gene expression

URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc/research-cores/translational-neuroimaging.aspx

Description

The Translational Neuroimaging (TNI) Core provides IDDRC investigators access to state-of-the-art, in vitro multimodality whole-organism imaging from mouse to human, with special facilities to accommodate pediatric subjects. In addition to state-of-the art hardware, software and applications, this core provides essential collaborative human resources to support the design, implementation and acquisition and analysis phases of neuroimaging investigation. As such, the TNI core is one arm of a comprehensive effort by multiple IDDRC cores to develop a broad, deep and accessible repository of human and animal data relating to normal development and disease states. The focal point of this core is the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), which houses 9.4 Tesla small animal and 3.0 Tesla human MRI systems, as well as extensive support facilities.

Services

1. To provide IDDRC members with turnkey access to state-of-the-art human and animal imaging optimized to address their unique experimental needs
2. To educate and train IDDRC members and their trainees in the design, execution and analysis of imaging experiments
3. To develop a broad, deep and accessible repository of human and animal data relating to normal development and disease states, in concert with the other IDDRC cores
4. To develop novel data acquisition and analysis methods relevant to IDDRC members' projects

Equipment

Human MRI: The MRI system is extremely versatile and fully capable of imaging all body parts. Of particular relevance to the IDDRC, the MRI system is capable of absolutely state-of-the-art neuroimaging. Virtually any measurement conceivable can be implemented by MRRC scientists, who have full programming access to the MRI hardware and extensive pulse programming expertise. The following are representative examples of neuroimaging measurements relevant to IDDRC research:

1. High resolution (submillimeter) 3D structural imaging
2. Quantitative relaxography for tissue characterization
3. Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging and tractography
4. Quantitative perfusion imaging, with (DSCE) or without (ASL) contrast agents
5. High resolution time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
6. Proton and multinuclear spectroscopic imaging
7. Functional MRI, with visual and auditory stimuli, real-time subject response monitoring, eye tracking and real-time online data analysis on the MRI console

Animal MRI: The 9.4T spectrometer is capable of nearly any measurement one can envision. Imaging of rats and mice will be most in demand from IDDRC members. However, other small animals such as ferrets can be imaged as well. The following are representative examples of neuroimaging measurements relevant to IDDRC research:

1. Perfusion imaging
2. Diffusion imaging
3. Microscopy imaging
   
4. Chemical shift imaging
   
5. Metabolic imaging
   
6. Spectroscopy
   
7. Functional imaging (BOLD) in anesthetized or awake animals
   
8. High-speed imaging (EPI, FISP, TurboFlash)