NIH Blueprint Initiative: Tools for Germline Gene Editing in the Nervous System

The NIH Blueprint Initiative is seeking to advance its mission by supporting the development, optimization, validation, and application of germline and somatic transgenic and gene-editing approaches in experimental systems modeling key features of human brain anatomy, circuitry, cognition, behavior, and lifespan. The initiative will build on the previously supported marmoset gene-editing infrastructure, by integrating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) with other models, to advance understanding of human brain function and disease. • The initiative will support the development of germline and somatic transgenic and gene-editing approaches in experimental systems. • The initiative will integrate New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) with other models to advance understanding of human brain function and disease. • The initiative will support research on human-derived NAMs for cross-species comparisons across development. • The initiative will support research on mechanisms of complex conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and other behavioral/developmental disorders.