Voltage imaging of astrocyte-neuron interactions

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PROJECT SUMMARY This application is for a diversity supplement to the R01 NS113499 “VOLTAGE IMAGING OF ASTROCYTE- NEURON INTERACTIONS” of Dr. Chris Dulla at Tufts University. The candidate is Jacqueline Garcia, a pre- doctoral student in the lab of Dr. Dulla focusing on astrocyte voltage imaging and how astrocyte membrane voltage affects glutamate uptake. Jacqueline will take the tools currently in use the Dulla Lab and use them to pursue her interests in how traumatic brain injury affects astrocyte membrane potential and downstream glutamate signaling. Discussions with the R01 program officer, Dr. Miriam Leenders, deemed this approach was “in scope” and will provide Jacqueline with a launch pad for her own independent career. Jacqueline qualifies as a diversity candidate as a Latina and due to her economically disadvantaged background. Therefore she is a member of multiple underrepresented groups. This supplement will fund Jacqueline for 3 years of her graduate thesis work. Funding for Y3 will be contingent on submission of an NRSA application during Y2. During this time Jacqueline will receive training in cellular and molecular neuroscience, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, glial biology, and more. She will gain expertise in biochemistry, models of traumatic brain injury, astrocyte genetically encoded voltage indicator (GEVI) imaging, iGluSnFR glutamate imaging, and electrophysiology. This training will guide her towards an NRSA application and a future as a leader in neuroscience research. Ms. Garcia is devoted to academic research with a focus on traumatic brain injury. Dr. Dulla has a great deal of experience mentoring students, was awarded the 2018 Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship, and is involved with the HHMI Gilliam Fellowship through other students in the lab. The project laid out here will give Ms. Garcia excellent and rigorous training in glutamate neurotransmission, neuron/glia interactions, and cutting-edge imaging modalities. Dr. Dulla and Ms. Garcia have developed a structured, rigorous, and customized mentorship and training plan. The funding offered through this supplement will give Jaqueline the opportunity to enrich her graduate training so that she can gain additional training and create an extensive network of professional colleagues. This diversity supplement will give Jacqueline a clear path toward an exciting future as a up and coming researcher in the field of epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and glutamate neurotransmission. The activities laid out and the enrichment opportunities will be critical to Ms. Garcia’s development and future as a successful independent investigator.