Phase Two of the John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center (PNRC) is specifically designed to enhance inter-disciplinary research, communication and collaboration as a means of facilitating innovation. It co-locates into an innovative setting researchers from 10 NIH institutes, launching a bold research initiative organized by crosscutting themes that are not specific to any single institute. Rather, the PNRC research approach seeks that which is common among seemingly diverse disorders. The facilty's design encourages collaboration and communication, employs a flexible laboratory architecture that can change over time with the science and accommodates research approaches as diverse as animal models, cell culture and computer science.

From the outside, it blends with the campus and the neighboring community. Designed to attract and retain the finest scientists, its functional, flexible design enables neuroscience to flourish as a leading intellectual enterprise in the post-genomic era. PRNC features a central atrium, open laboratories and offices, state-of-the-art infrastructure and technical facilities, seminar and conference rooms, a vivarium, a cafeteria, lab support spaces and an imaging suite. .