The center will be co-directed by Peter Strick, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and J. Patrick Card, Ph.D., associate professor of neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences.
As a national resource, it brings together leading experts in virology and neuroscience, including those from Princeton University and Thomas Jefferson University, to advance technology that uses viruses to define circuit architecture in the nervous system.
"Tracing certain viruses through the nervous system provides a powerful means for functional dissection of neural circuitry. But the approach is a costly endeavor beyond the reach of most investigators. The center will provide the necessary resources and focus to energize this technology development and make it more widely available," said Dr. Strick.
"In establishing the center here, the NIH recognizes the concentration of world-class expertise in this unique area of research. The University of Pittsburgh is home to a surprising number of investigators who have been influential in the development and application of this methodology," added Dr. Card.
According to Drs. Strick and Card, the center will enable the further development of the virus tracing technique to improve and expand its capabilities; provide training opportunities for scientists from other institutions; and foster collaborations and multidisciplinary studies that will help advance scientific understanding.