The Center of Research Excellence in Natural Products Neuroscience (CORE-NPN) promotes the ability of investigators at the University of Mississippi to conduct state-of-the-art research to identify components and properties of natural products that affect the nervous system.  This research will lead to a better understanding of the health promoting aspects of dietary supplements, and the development of new medications to treat neurological and psychiatric diseases.  The CORE-NPN supports a number of resources and programs which enhance the research infrastructure at the university.

Junior Investigator Project: Provides mentoring and funding for individual research projects of faculty who are in the early stages of developing their careers.

Community Outreach Program: Comprised of an informal panel discussion that is organized to foster interactions and facilitate the exchange of information between the lay public and basic and clinical scientists.

Small Grants Program: Provides short-term funding for research projects of faculty, particularly those who are in the early stages of developing their careers.

Distinguished Lectureship Program: Hosts distinguished scientists for seminars at the university.

Grants Review Program: Arranges external reviews of grant proposals prior to submission to national funding agencies.

Research Cores: Expands the research capabilities of center investigators through core research facilities.

• Sourcing, Acquisition and Database Core: Responsibilities include the acquisition and supply of natural product samples to the other cores and research programs within this project. Secondly, this core is to provide a database management system to help track screening information for the overall project.
• Chemistry Core: The major aims of the Chemistry Core is to isolate the active principles of the selected plants, fungi, and marine organisms with CNS activity, to elucidate their structures and provide material for in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies in order to create the preliminary data for RO1 applications by junior faculty. The chemistry core will also have an advisory role for individual projects that require expertise in isolation and structure elucidation of secondary metabolites from selected organisms.
• In Vitro Pharmacology Core:The Core has assays for GTPgS and CB1 cannabinoid receptors and is working on the development of assays for mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors.  Also in development are assays for CB2, and OFQ receptors and Ca2+ signaling.  Additional receptor, ion channel, and transporter binding assays are in the planning stage.
• Behavioral Neuroscience Core: This Core focuses on pharmacological evaluation of natural products for neurobehavioral effects.  The studies target a battery of tests that could reveal potential membership of the tested compounds in one of four categories: opiate-like, stimulant-like, cannabinoid-like, and depressant-like actions.