MRI: Acquisition of Integrated Mouse Test System

College Of The Holy Cross, Worcester MA

Investigators

Abstract

This grant supports the purchase of an Integrated Mouse Test System (IMTS), designed in conjunction with two leading manufacturers of this type of instrumentation. IMTS will enable students and faculty at Holy Cross College to conduct automated state-of-the-art experiments in comparative intelligence and in interdisciplinary research that brings together the comparative intelligence and neuroscience laboratories. This instrumentation will result in two significant enhancements in our research and research training activities. First, the system will expand the number and range of experiments that can be initiated in our labs. As a consequence, this instrumentation will permit the conduct of experiments not heretofore possible at Holy Cross and will facilitate increased collaborative work between the two laboratories. Second, this instrumentation will lead to significant improvements in the precision and reliability of our research, particularly in the automated running of experiments and recording of behavioral measures. Finally, IMTS represents a significant expansion in the available equipment in our labs. As a consequence, this system will directly result in a significant increase in the number of students who can participate in our ongoing research programs. This acquisition comes at a time when there is intense interest within the scientific community in developing behavioral mouse models. As detailed in a lead article in a recent issue of the American Psychological Association's Monitor on Psychology, there are now a number of highly sophisticated genetic techniques available for use with mice to link genes with behavior (Azar, 2000). Unfortunately, the powerful techniques of molecular biologists have not been matched by a parallel sophistication in the development of complex behavioral techniques using mice. There is a pressing need for new and innovative priorities in the training of scientists in this area. The research supported by this instrumentation grant will provide Holy Cross students and faculty with the means to participate significantly in this broadly-supported scientific initiative at the undergraduate level.