The  Model Systems Core (MSC) is designed to leverage institutional strengths in genetics, neuroscience, bioinformatics and neuroimaging to address key questions on the causes and treatments of IDD with particular reference to genetic abnormalities and environmental factors. Through its team of interactive scientists, the MSC provides seamless expertise, resources, and assessment to committed WU investigators involved in discovering the basic molecular and cellular pathways shared by diverse causes of IDD, determining neural signatures associated with IDD at the neural circuit level and the whole brain, characterizing core neurobehavioral features of IDD and clarifying their causal origins, and  harnessing the discovery of IDD mechanisms using functional genomic approaches.

The Specific Aims of the Model Systems Core are to:

  • Aim 1: Provide consultation to investigators interested in human cellular and rodent models of IDD.
  • Aim 2: Characterize deficits in human cellular and rodent models of IDD.
  • Aim 3: Assess novel therapies and/or biomarkers in reprogrammed human somatic cell and animal models of IDD.
  • Aim 4: Integrate information across units, cores, and other existing facilities at Washington University and IDDRCs.