The UC Irvine Behavioral Testing Core (BTC) is a new, interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art, high-throughput core facility, equipped with a variety of cutting edge equipment as well as video monitoring and recording capabilities ensuring rigorous and reproducible testing of rodent behavior. The BTC was made possible by investments from the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, the Office of Research, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine. The Core is located in the basement of Biological Sciences 3, adjacent to the BS3 vivarium. The Core is supervised by Professor and CNLM Fellow Dr. Shahrdad Lotfipour and operations are managed by Dr. Brian Timmerman.
The BTC supports UC Irvine researchers as well as outside collaborators by providing a range of behavioral testing services for mice and rats using rigorous and reproducible protocols. Services include:
- Design, implementation and analysis of behavioral experiments in mice and rats.
- Implementation of behavioral testing protocols and providing results to the investigator(s).
- High-throughput preclinical testing in mouse models and drug development efforts.
- Training laboratory researchers on behavioral testing procedures and analysis.
The BTC currently offers a large number of behavioral tests which comprehensively assess attention, learning, memory, spatial navigation, locomotion, anxiety, depression, fear, motor control, motivation, social preference, and more. We incorporate the use of technologically advanced solutions including Intellicage systems and Bussey-Saksida Touchscreen chambers. We are also working with colleagues to expand our footprint and incorporate additional tests.
