BCH Human Neuron Core

Overview of Services

Patient-derived neurons hold great promise for drug identification and repurposing to treat neurological disorders, therapies for which are often limited. Models of neurological disorders have been established by identifying an array of disease-relevant phenotypes in specific neuronal subtypes differentiated from patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Currently, patient-derived iPSC models for neurological disorders include, but not limited to, tuberous sclerosis complex, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Rett syndrome, and autism and neuropsychiatric disorders associated with copy number variations. To create a streamlined workflow for research from bed to bench and back, the Translational Neuroscience Center (TNC) at Boston Children’s Hospital created the Human Neuron Core to help bridge the gaps between clinics, basic science, and drug development.

At Human Neuron Core, we are dedicated to supporting clinicians, fellow researchers, as well as industry clients by providing services to collect patient samples, differentiate specific neuronal subtypes, and phenotype patient-derived neurons. We optimize standard operating procedures based on published and well-characterized protocols and produce high-quality neuronal subtypes, such as cortical, spinal motor, sensory, GABAergic neurons and organoids. We provide access and training to the Axion Maestro multielectrode array (MEA), which allows user-friendly measurements on spontaneous electrical activities over time. Incucyte, a live-imaging microscope for time-lapse recordings of cells in phase, red, and green fluorescent channels. In addition, the existing Assay Development Screening Facility (ADSF) core facility within the FM Kirby Neurobiology Center provides complementary resources in the form of a high-throughput screening instrument to investigators for monitoring functional responses of neurons and other cell types. These paired facilities enable researchers to create neurons, develop assays, and run drug screens for new therapeutic approaches to neurological diseases.

The Human Neuron Core is staffed by Dr. Elizabeth Buttermore, Dr. Nina Makhortova, Dr. Cidi Chen, Dosh Whye, lab manager - Erika Norabuena, research assistants -Delaney Wood, Kristina Kim, Taryn Polanco, research coordinators - Ryan Guardado and Isabela Iglesias under the supervision of the Translational Neuroscience Center director, Dr. Mustafa Sahin. Please contact us with any questions about the potential services we can provide to support your research programs.

For questions regarding patient sample collection, please contact Core Research Coordinators (NeuroCore@childrens.harvard.edu).

For questions regarding other core services, please contact Cidi Chen (Cidi.Chen@childrens.harvard.edu).

For phenotypic assays and equipment training, please contact Nina Makhortova (Nina.Makhortova@childrens.harvard.edu).

Getting Started 

• Sign up for a new account using the link in the upper right-hand corner, or click here. 
• Non-BCH users, register for an account here. If you already have an account, login here. 
• Login with your approved credentials in the upper right-hand corner. 
• Email Liz Buttermore for information and access to our services and equipment.
• Visit the Customer Help Manual for further guidance using iLab's Core Facility Services.

Links and Resources

Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center

Axion Maestro Pro Multielectrode Array

Ion AmpliSeq Human Transcriptome Analysis

Incucyte Live-Cell Imaging Analysis

Opera Phenix Plus High-Content Screening System

Leadership 

Mustafa Sahin, MD. PhD

Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

Director, Translational Neuroscience Center

Email: mustafa.sahin@childrens.harvard.edu

Phone: (617) 355-8994

Location and Hours of Operation

Contacts

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