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Cellular and transcriptomic programs linking amygdala progenitors to mature neuronal identity

Award Number: R21MH129995
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/11/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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Cellular and transcriptomic programs linking amygdala progenitors to mature neuronal identity - Project Summary The complex cellular and molecular events driving embryonic brain development are becoming better understood. However, how and to what extent these early processes are linked to the later emergence of neuronal identity and circuit specific patterns of neuronal wiring controlling diverse behaviors remains unknown. Our previous studies of development of medial subnucleus of the amygdala (MeA), a central hub for processing olfactory cues essential for innate (unlearned) social behavior, suggests a direct link between embryonic patterning and later subtype neuronal identity, lineage-specific patterns of output connectivity and innate behavioral regulation. Leveraging the advantages of studying the MeA, a developmentally hard-wired system, the goal of our proposed studies is elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that bridge embryonic brain development with later functional outputs. Based on our previous data, we hypothesize that the mature properties of MeA neuronal subtype identity and subcircuit wiring patterns are preconfigured via cellular and molecular sequalae that unfold as lineages diverge in the VZ/SVZ. We propose to test this hypothesis by determining: the cellular mechanisms underlying early MeA lineage diversification (Specific Aim 1) and 2) linking emerging embryonic transcriptomic programs with the acquisition of genetic identifiers of neuronal identity and circuit assembly and connectivity (Specific Aim 2). This will be achieved by combining the expertise of the Haydar lab in cellular and transcriptomic mechanisms of early progenitor specification and the Corbin lab in the genetic basis of amygdala development and function. We propose to utilize innovative approaches including in utero ultrasound precision guided labeling of MeA progenitor pools, multiphoton imaging to follow neurons as they emerge, and cutting-edge unsupervised single-nuclei (sn) RNA-seq to identify the full repertoire of cellular and molecular factors operating as MeA progenitors generate functionally connected postnatal neurons.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE	111 MICHIGAN AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20010	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	11/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $325,756 )
2023	2023	CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE	111 MICHIGAN AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20010	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	2	1/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$22,312
2023	2023	CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE	111 MICHIGAN AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20010	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	12/19/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$200,813
2023	2023	CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE	111 MICHIGAN AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20010	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	2	12/20/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$102,631
														Subtotal = $325,756

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $267,750 )
2022	2022	CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE	111 MICHIGAN AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20010	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	2/11/2022	NEW	$267,750
														Subtotal = $267,750

Grand Total All Awards = $593,506

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Cellular and transcriptomic programs linking amygdala progenitors to mature neuronal identity

Award Number: R21MH129995

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/11/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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