Wednesday, January 28, 2026 1/28/2026

Single-cell and target-specific resolution of multiple memories across the brain

Award Number: R01HD101402
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/13/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Single-cell and target-specific resolution of multiple memories across the brain - PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT A tremendous amount of research has provided us with an understanding of how neurons work in concert during the formation and retrieval of individual memories. While we understand how memories are stored in a limited number of brain regions, we do not yet understand how multiple memory traces are stored across whole-brain neural networks, as well as their real-time physiological dynamics, genetic landscape, and preferential wiring. What is needed now is technology to bridge the gap in our understanding between microscopic interactions at the neuronal level and macroscopic structures that perform computations across networks involved in learning and memory. Using a combination of two activity-dependent tagging systems that utilize the immediate early genes (IEG) Arc and c-fos, the aim of this proposal is to address the critical need for obtaining a map of multiple memories and provide the dynamic states of the brain in the context of behavioral performance and memory expression. We will first utilize behavioral assays and whole-brain imaging to provide unprecedented insight on how multiple memories (e.g., positive and negative memories) are stored with single-cell resolution in a brain-wide manner. Identification of similarities and differences between populations and projections of positive and negative memory ensembles will be quantified and correlated with behavioral performance by using neuronal modeling developed in the Denny laboratory. Tagged cells will also be pulled down and sequenced to delineate the genetic landscape differentiating positive and negative memories. We will then use in vivo Ca2+ imaging to resolve the real-time dynamics (e.g., Ca2+ activity) of neural ensembles as they participate in positive and negative memory encoding and retrieval. Moreover, we will use optogenetic modulation to manipulate the positive or negative ensembles in a within-subject manner during behavioral performance to identify key nodes involved in memory expression. Finally, we will use viral tracing strategies to determine how these ensembles are structurally wired across brain, thereby providing a wiring diagram for multiple experiences in the brain. In summary, comprehensive molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, network modeling, Ca2+ imaging, and optogenetic techniques will be utilized. As most studies have narrowed their analyses to a single brain structure, these studies will expand this scope exponentially by analyzing whole-brain memory traces mediating multiple memories. This combinatory system will result in a whole-brain atlas for individual memories, including positive and negative memories, with single- cell resolution.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC.	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	5	1/19/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $758,206 )
2023	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC.	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	5	8/18/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$758,206
														Subtotal = $758,206

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $753,589 )
2022	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE INC	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	4	8/24/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$753,589
														Subtotal = $753,589

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $758,206 )
2021	2021	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC.	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	3	8/26/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$758,206
														Subtotal = $758,206

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $761,284 )
2020	2020	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC.	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	2	9/4/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$761,284
														Subtotal = $761,284

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $776,784 )
2019	2019	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC.	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	9/13/2019	NEW	$776,784
2019	2019	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC.	1051 RIVERSIDE DR	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	1	9/18/2019	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $776,784

Grand Total All Awards = $3,808,069

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Single-cell and target-specific resolution of multiple memories across the brain

Award Number: R01HD101402

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/13/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer