The BRAIN-STORRM (Scientific and Technical Operations for Resource/Reagent Manufacturing) Network, established at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), aims to scale up production, validate new AAV serotypes, and democratize access to these cutting-edge tools while fostering diversity in neuroscience research.

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The BRAIN-STORRM is funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative, seeking to uncover cell type-specific neural circuits that underlie cognitive functions and behaviors. A critical challenge in this effort is the lack of widely applicable genetic tools for precise neural circuit manipulation. To address this, the BRAIN-STORRM built a collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), who developed a variety of novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors with cell type-specific enhancers, enabling targeted genetic manipulation in wild-type animals. Together we will address another major bottleneck: the limited production and distribution capacity of these AAVs.

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The BRAIN-STORRM Network has three core objectives: (1) validating novel enhancer-driven AAVs in multiple capsids (AAV9, AAVPhP.eB, retro-AAV2, and AAV8) for cell type specificity in wild-type mice; (2) scaling up production and global distribution of these AAVs; and (3) training a new generation of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds in advanced molecular biology techniques. The project is structured into three phases: Aim 1 focuses on establishing the UMES facility, including infrastructure setup, technology transfer agreements, and mentorship programs to engage UMES students in AAV validation and gene therapy training. Aim 2 involves distributing and testing AAV9-enhancer vectors while validating additional serotypes for optimal neural targeting. Aim 3 expands production capacity, offering AAVs with diverse payloads (optogenetic, chemogenetic, imaging, etc.) and capsids to accommodate different research needs.

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By bridging the gap between AAV development and widespread accessibility, the BRAIN-STORRM Network will accelerate neuroscience research, enabling more precise investigations into neural circuits across species. Additionally, this initiative will enhance diversity in STEM by providing UMES students—many from historically underserved communities—with hands-on experience in high-impact science. Through collaborations with UPitt and CMU, UMES will become a key hub in the BRAIN Initiative’s mission to advance neurotechnology, democratize scientific tools, and drive discoveries in brain function and dysfunction. This effort not only strengthens the BRAIN Initiative’s infrastructure but also ensures that its benefits reach a broader scientific community.