Lieber Institute for Brain Development

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Lieber Institute for Brain Development

Translating genetic insights into next generation treatments. LIBD partners with academic, pharmaceutical, foundation, and government agencies world-wide.

The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) was established in 2010 through the historic gift of Constance & Stephen Lieber and Milton & Tamar Maltz as an independent, not-for-profit medical research institute with end-to-end capabilities under one roof. LIBD translates genetic insights into breakthrough treatments utilizing unparalleled resources in human brain tissue and human cell lines to understand the developmental origins of schizophrenia and related brain disorders. Affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, LIBD is led by Dr. Daniel Weinberger, formerly the head of the Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program at the National Institute of Mental Health, and includes a world-class team of scientists with over 200 years’ cumulative experience and 2,500 published scientific papers. The Institute is committed to a collaborative approach and invests in building research networks and partnerships to accelerate scientific discovery.

12/08/2025

Ever wonder how scientists study the brain WITHOUT a brain? 🧠👀 🙋‍♀️

This behind-the-scenes moment shows one of our research assistants collecting tiny cell colonies. Over the next two months, those cells will turn into working human neurons. Once fully developed, we now have the ability to study functioning neurons!

It’s this type of detailed and fascinating work that brings us closer to understanding how brain cells behave in mental illness. You can be part of the excitement when you choose to support us. Learn more by going to our website or checking out our page!

12/05/2025

We are always working to better understand the brain: how it functions, what it needs to stay healthy, and what happens when something goes wrong. Every study we conduct is driven by one goal—finding real answers. Not just to understand what happens, but why, and how we can prevent it.

While many focus on treating symptoms, we believe it is just as important to explore the root causes.
And who better to take on that challenge than the scientists at Lieber?

12/03/2025

"If you're thinking about donating, there is no reason not to."

But we can think of millions of reasons why your support makes a difference. Actually, make that billions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 1.1 billion people had a mental health diagnosis. That stat was from 2021, so we imagine it has only grown in size. Each of those people represents a reason why this work matters. Add to that the 5,000+ families that have contributed their loved ones to our brain repository, and you have enough people to fill up America... three times.

When you think about it that way, that's a pretty good reason to support our work. Learn more at www.libd.org/endmentalillness.

12/02/2025

It’s Today, thousands of people around the world will choose to invest in a healthier future. Every action, whether a one-time gift or a long-term commitment, fuels hope.

Today, your generosity can fund the brain science that will stop mental illness before it begins.

Choose how you want to build that prevention foundation:

Join monthly and become the constant, reliable foundation of our research.

Give non-cash and maximize your impact on breakthrough discoveries.
Join us in building a future where hope, healing, and breakthroughs are within reach. 🧠💙
Link in bio

12/01/2025

The work we do is serious and, in some ways, dependent on a team that trusts one another. What better way to build that foundation than by working—and singing!—alongside each other?

The Freezer Farm is our in-house band. Their shared expertise in neuroscience brought them together, but camaraderie took it a step further.

So, what do you think?! Should we call them back for a lab encore?!

11/29/2025

We are living in a historic moment in brain research. 🧠 In the past few years, we've learned more about how genes and environmental stressors shape the brain than in all of human history!

These dramatic insights are bringing us closer to treatments that don't just manage symptoms but address the underlying biology of psychiatric disorders—and even prevent them before they start. Progress depends on partnership. Science is methodical, but breakthroughs happen because people choose to invest in them.

As we reach , choose to invest in hope. Your generosity allows us to pursue innovative research that traditional funding rarely supports—pioneering work in designing drugs that target the root causes of illness.

Invest in the future of brain health today.
👉 Click the link in our bio to donate now!
📝 For cash-free giving options (stock, DAFs, crypto), please visit the "Ways to Give" section on our homepage via the link in our bio.

11/28/2025

After a tragic car accident, Nolan's family saw an opportunity to use their son's death as a way to improve the lives of other children. His mother remembers that he was always trying to help others, even requesting to be an organ donor on his driver's license. They chose to honor his request and, in doing so, extended his legacy.

You can learn more about Nolan's gift and the gift of over 5,000 families by going to our website: www.libd.org/endmentalillness.

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks not just for what we’ve gained, but for those who gave everything so we could understand more.

Your courage, your stories, your generosity fuel our mission at Lieber. Thank you for believing in science, hope, and healing.

11/26/2025

Every breakthrough begins with a gift.

Dr. Thomas Hyde, who oversees our brain repository, shares how the generosity of donor families gives us a rare and powerful opportunity: to study the human brain in ways that can truly change lives.

These families make the unthinkable choice to help others in their darkest moment. You can find some of their stories by watching our pinned videos on our profile or by going to our website. Those stories are powerful and fuel the dedication behind all of our discoveries.

11/24/2025

Some of our Brain Trust donors give because they want a brighter future for their children.

Britney Lowe shared this sweet moment of her son enjoying a recent field trip with their local Special Olympics. As someone who’s faced her own journey with depression, Britney imagines a future where her child has more answers, more support, and more solutions if he ever faces similar struggles.

She believes in the work we’re doing. Through her monthly support, she’s helping turn that belief into real change...for her family and for so many others.

11/23/2025

Our discoveries are paving the way for prevention, and that prevention means more time with the people we love.

Can you imagine a world where brain disorders don’t cut lives short?
We can. We’re working every day to make it real.

11/21/2025

From six months of work to sixty neurons in one hour. Thanks to new technology, our scientists are moving faster than ever to understand how brain cells behave in disorders like schizophrenia. What once took over half a year to study can now be done in just a single afternoon thanks to a powerful new machine that lets researchers record activity from dozens of brain cells at once.

Why does that matter? Because every cell we study brings us closer to finding new drug targets and new ways to treat and even prevent mental illness.

This is more than just faster science. It’s life-changing progress.

Address

855 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD
21205

Telephone

+14109551000

Website

http://www.libd.org/, https://www.libd.org/endmentalillness

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Our Story

The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) was established in 2010 through the historic gift of Constance & Stephen Lieber and Milton & Tamar Maltz as an independent, not-for-profit medical research institute with end-to-end capabilities under one roof. LIBD translates genetic insights into breakthrough treatments utilizing unparalleled resources in human brain tissue and human cell lines to understand the developmental origins of schizophrenia and related brain disorders. Affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, LIBD is led by Dr. Daniel Weinberger, formerly the head of the Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program at the National Institute of Mental Health, and includes a world-class team of scientists with over 200 years’ cumulative experience and 2,500 published scientific papers. LIBD partners with academic, pharmaceutical, foundation, and government agencies world-wide. The Institute is committed to a collaborative approach and invests in building research networks and partnerships to accelerate scientific discovery.