CAREER: An Integrated Approach to Neuron Mechanics: Deciphering the Functional, Mechanical, and Structural Interactions between Microtubules and Actin

该学院早期职业发展（CAREER）奖的研究目标是使用一套定制成像和微尺度操作工具来研究神经元中运动，粘附和运输的相互依赖性。神经元是具有高度细长几何形状的特化细胞，其形成机械连接的网络以使信号能够在神经系统中传输。健康的神经网络的发展取决于丝状细胞骨架结构的作用：肌动蛋白引导神经元的生长和粘附，而微管作为蛋白质和细胞器的长距离细胞内运输的轨道，这是维持细胞突起延伸所必需的。根据该奖项进行的研究将通过测量长距离运输中的错误如何影响细胞粘附和运动，以及调节粘附的化学和机械工程支架如何影响运输来确定肌动蛋白和微管结构之间协调的程度和性质。还将确定突然冲击损伤对单个神经元力学、粘附和运输的影响。如果成功的话，这项研究将为神经元的实验研究提供一个新的范例。一种将不同的特征，如粘附或运输整合到一个神经元功能的综合模型中的方法。最终，研究结果将导致设计改进的神经设备和植入材料，以及用于各种神经系统疾病和创伤性脑损伤（TBI）的新治疗策略。教育目标是包括本科生在研究的各个方面，并开发新的教材对新兴领域的神经元力学。一个新的实习计划，退伍军人学生实习在生物力学研究和神经技术（VIBRANT）将开发，使退伍军人学生从当地社区学院到校园追求独立的研究。将提供一对一的指导和专业发展机会，以鼓励和授权老学生攻读科学和工程学位。

The research objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award is to use a suite of custom imaging and microscale manipulation tools to investigate the interdependence of motility, adhesion and transport in neurons. Neurons are specialized cells, with highly elongated geometries, that form mechanically connected networks to enable transmission of signals in the nervous system. The development of healthy neural networks depends on the action of filamentous cytoskeletal structures: actin guides neuron growth and adhesion, while microtubules serve as the tracks for the long-distance intracellular transport of proteins and organelles that is required to maintain the extended cell protrusions. Studies conducted under this award will determine the extent and nature of the coordination between the actin and microtubule structures by measuring how errors in long-distance transport affect cell adhesion and motility, and how chemically- and mechanically-engineered scaffolds that modulate adhesion affect transport. The effects of sudden impact injury on single neuron mechanics, adhesion and transport will also be determined. If successful, this research will provide a new paradigm for the experimental investigation of neurons (-). One that integrates distinct features such as adhesion or transport into one comprehensive model of neuron function. Ultimately, the results will lead to the design of improved neural devices and implantation materials, and novel treatment strategies for a wide range of neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The educational goals are to include undergraduate students in all aspects of research, and to develop new teaching material on the emerging field of neuron mechanics. A new internship program, Veteran-student Internships in Biomechanics Research and NeuroTechnology (VIBRANT) will be developed to bring veteran students from local community colleges to campus to pursue independent research. One-on-one mentoring and professional development opportunities will be provided to encourage and empower veteran students to pursue science and engineering degrees.