Center for Glial Biology in Medicine Research Recruitment Core Center

描述(由申请人提供)：在过去的二十年里，神经胶质细胞在正常大脑发育中的重要性越来越受到重视。除了在正常大脑功能中的公认作用外，胶质细胞功能障碍现在被认为在许多破坏性的神经疾病中起着至关重要的作用，包括但不限于胶质源性脑瘤(胶质瘤)、多发性硬化症(MS)、脑瘫以及头部和脊髓创伤。导致这些发现的研究是由神经胶质生物学家进行的，他们通常会发现自己在某种程度上是一种与世隔绝的存在，往往是一个部门甚至整个医疗中心中唯一对神经胶质生物学感兴趣的人。在UAB，情况并非如此，在那里，神经胶质研究已成为优先事项。UAB拥有57名首席研究人员，是美国单一学术机构中神经胶质研究人员最集中的地方之一。UAB已经指定了一个大学范围的跨学科研究中心，完全致力于神经胶质细胞及其在神经疾病中的作用的研究。UAB董事会于2006年2月正式成立了神经胶质生物学医学中心(CGBM)，其使命是制定一项全面的计划，以支持神经胶质细胞生物学的基础和临床研究。CGBM为科学家提供独特的研究基础设施，在校外资助以及对学生、博士后和年轻研究人员的培训方面提供领导和支持。CGBM提供神经胶质生物学的研究生课程，一年一次的期刊俱乐部，并定期举办一系列研讨会。神经胶质生物学医学中心的57名教员横跨3所学校的16个系，仅在2009年就为直接研究提供了17,496,439美元的支持。这项提议将支持为CGBM再聘请两名有前途的新教员。我们希望面向从事白质神经胶质细胞研究并寻求相关临床问题的研究人员进行招募。这些可能与NG2细胞和脑发育、脑白质损伤、脑室周围白质软化或全身神经损伤和髓鞘再生有关。我们认为，对于新招募的个人和现有的中心成员来说，存在着加强互动研究的巨大机会。其他机会领域涉及神经胶质和神经退行性疾病的研究，即阿尔茨海默氏症和帕金森氏症以及Glia和认知。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Over the past two decades the importance of glial cells in normal brain development has become increasingly appreciated. In addition to their well recognized role in normal brain function, dysfunction of glial cells are now recognized to be of critical importance in many devastating neurological disorders including but not limited to glial-derived brain tumors (glioma), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Cerebral Palsy and Trauma to the Head and Spinal Cord. The research that has led to these findings has been carried out by glial biologists who typically find themselves in a somewhat insular presence, often being the lone individual with an interest in glial biology in a Department or even an entire medical center. This is not the case at UAB where glial research has become a high priority. With 57 principal investigators UAB has one of the largest concentrations of glial investigators at a single academic institution in the United States. UAB has designated a university-wide interdisciplinary research center entirely to the study of glial cells and their role in Neurological disease. The Center for Glial Biology Medicine (CGBM) was formally established by UAB's Board of Directors in February 2006 with the mission to develop a comprehensive program to support basic and clinical research on the Biology of Glial cells. The CGBM provides scientists with unique research infrastructure, provides leadership and support toward extramural grant support as well as training for students, post-docs and young investigators. The CGBM offers a graduate course in glial biology, a year- around journal club and hosts a regularly scheduled seminar series. The 57 faculty of the Center for Glial Biology in Medicine span 16 Departments in 3 Schools and account for $17,496,439 in direct research support in 2009 alone. This proposal will support the hire of two additional promising new faculty members to the CGBM. We wish to target recruiting to researchers working on white matter glial cells and who pursue relevant clinical problems. These may be related to NG2 cells and brain development, white matter injury, periventricular leukomalacia or general nerve injury and remyelination. We feel that a tremendous opportunity exists for the newly recruited individuals and the current center members to enhance interactive research. Additional areas of opportunity relate to studies on glia and Neurodegenerative diseases, i.e. Alzheimer and Parkinson's as well as Glia and Cognition.