In Vivo Phenotyping

The Neurobehavioral Phenotyping Core (NBP) is a Scientific Research Service housed in the Center for Biometric Analysis. The NBP provides expertise to researchers at The Jackson Laboratory and in the scientific community in the evaluation of short- and long-term behavioral features in mice that are genetic models of human disease. Nearly one-third of Jackson Laboratory faculty — along with all employees within their laboratories — conduct research on diseases of the neurological system, including Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; often called Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, autism, addiction, and epilepsy.

The NBP currently provides over 30 different assays assessing diverse phenotypes (i.e., observable characteristics of an organism) including general activity, sensorimotor phenotypes, and cognitive abilities. All assays are experimentally validated prior to use, and are designed to generate accurate, replicable data. Our staff have extensive expertise in phenotyping the behavior of mouse models for neurological diseases including neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition to performing behavioral phenotyping, we offer training in performing the assays, and scientific consultation to assist with experimental design, data analysis, and data interpretation.