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Description
PROJECT SUMMARY: Viral Innovation Core
Contemporary research on the neuroscience of addiction utilizes a broad set of genetically encoded tools that
can be used to control neuronal excitability, highlight connectivity between neurons that form microcircuits, and
report cellular activity states in behaving animals. Viral vectors exploiting the beneficial features of the Adeno-
Associated Virus (AAV) backbone have proven invaluable for delivering genetically encoded tools to specific cell
types and circuits in the nervous system, and are critical tools used by the addiction neuroscience community at
the University of Minnesota (UMN). With the recent investments made in hiring to grow addiction-related research
at UMN, the need for high-quality and efficient AAV vector production will increase substantially over the next
decade. The Viral Innovation Core (VIC) seeks to meet the AAV vector needs of the UMN addiction research
community, providing Center Investigators and Affiliates with access to advanced and experimental AAV
production services, as well as a rigorous set of quality control and product evaluation processes that will inform
the optimal design of future AAV-based investigations. The mission of the VIC is encapsulated in two Specific
Aims: 1) Generation and advanced characterization of AAV vectors. The VIC will support the generation of AAV
vectors – including custom vectors – for the UMN addiction research community. The VIC will employ a stringent
process of product evaluation and quality control that, in aggregate, will represent a comprehensive profile of
virus quality that can be used to help optimize vector production and purification approaches. This effort,
combined with application-specific feedback, will help the VIC best advise investigators on the design, use, and
storage of these tools. Providing this labor-intensive service through a centralized entity with skilled staff
represents a critical efficiency for the VIC user base, and will facilitate the centralized examination, evaluation,
and interpretation of data from a large and broad array of vector tools. 2) Engineering tropism of AAV. The VIC
will also direct a research and development (Special Projects) program with the goal of developing new
methodologies to improve the delivery of AAV vectors, oriented around the specific needs of the UMN addiction
research community. The VIC will investigate whether “arming” tropism-null AAV vectors with antibodies or other
non-immunoglobulin scaffolds can redefine their tropism in a user-specified manner. Engineered tropism, which
will enable viral gene delivery based on one or more surface receptors or markers, would represent a powerful
approach to achieving precise manipulation of neural circuits relevant to addiction. Summary/impact. Tools
generated by the VIC will promote engagement with the Structural Circuits Core and Imaging Cells during
Behavior Core, fueling insights that will be consolidated within the Addiction Connectome Core. The efforts of
the VIC will also yield synergies that expand the scope of supported projects and increase the impact of UMN
research in the area of addiction. Furthermore, new multi-modal AAV targeting paradigms will represent a
substantial benefit to the broader internal and external neuroscience research communities.
Status | Active |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 7/1/20 → 5/31/24 |
Funding
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: $427,555.00
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: $427,333.00
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: $424,797.00
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Projects
- 1 Active
-
Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction
Thomas, M. J., Ebner, T. J., Hayden, B. Y., Mermelstein, P. G. & Wickman, K. D.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
7/1/20 → 5/31/24
Project: Research project