Integrative Program in CNS Pathophysiology Research

该提案的总体目标是将我们现有的二期COBRE研究项目和核心设施转变为一个国家认可的研究中心，可以竞争独立于COBRE的NIH中心拨款。在COBRE一期，我们成功地开发了中枢神经系统病理生理学研究的综合项目，并在NCRR的C06拨款下建立了一个11000英尺的专用综合神经成像设施，称为生物医学研究和综合神经成像（脑成像）中心。在第二阶段，我们升级了我们最先进的多模式神经成像核心设施，并将这些设施作为基础设施，成功地指导了我们的初级pi。在I期和II期期间，COBRE的9名初级pi中有6名成功获得了9项新的NIH R01拨款。我们的同行评审出版物和资助数量也显著增加。为了支持这一应用，我们已经获得了约50万美元的机构支持，将我们的MR扫描仪升级为相控阵系统，并额外获得了约40万美元的支持，以支持第三阶段计划的管理。本申请要求的资金将用于支持核心设施（人员和三个核心的运营成本-磁共振成像（MRI），电子顺磁共振成像（EPRI）和光学/电生理核心，具有双光子激光扫描显微镜）和试点项目计划（PPP）。核心设施和PPP的支持对于将我们的研究项目提升到具有国家竞争力的水平至关重要。在过去的8年里，我们的研究项目已经发展成四个不同的主题：i)血脑屏障破坏的分子机制；ii)脑氧合及其作为一种可行的临床治疗方法的潜力；iii)干细胞和神经再生；iv)神经元损伤的分子机制。我们的研究策略是在CNS病理生理学的保护伞下建立一个连贯的，协同的研究计划，由该应用程序的PI领导，他将与这四个主题的小组组长一起工作。拟议的第三期COBRE的具体目标是：(1)维持和扩大综合神经成像核心设施，以支持新墨西哥大学中枢神经系统病理生理学领域的基础和转化研究；(2)通过拟议的总体战略规划和PPP，加强对神经影像学研究的关注，增加nih资助的研究人员数量，从而维持和扩大合作和多学科研究环境。

The overall goal of this proposal is to transition our existing Phase Ii COBRE research program and core facilities into a nationally recognized research center that can compete for COBRE-independent NIH center grants. During COBRE Phase I, we succeeded in developing an integrated program in CNS pathophysiology research, and built a 11,000 ft[2] dedicated comprehensive neuroimaging facility called Biomedical Research and Integrative Neuroimaging (BRaIN Imaging) Center with a C06 grant from the NCRR. During Phase II, we have upgraded our state-of-the-art multimodal neuroimaging core facilities and used the facilities as the infrastructure for successfully mentoring our junior PIs. During Phase I and II, 6 out of 9 junior PIs in the COBRE successfully obtained a total of 9 new NIH R01 grants. Our peer-reviewed publications and number of grants also increased significantly. In support of this application we have obtained institutional support of ~$500,000 to upgrade our MR scanner into a phase array system and additional ~$400,000 to support the administration of the Phase III program. The funds requested in this application will be used support the Core facilities (personnel and operating costs of three cores - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI) and Optical / Electrophysiology core that has a 2-photon laser scanning microscope) and a Pilot Project Program (PPP). The support of the core facilities and PPP is crucial for bringing our research program to a level competitive at the national level. During the last 8 years, our research program has evolved into four distinct topics: i) Molecular mechanism of BBB disruption; ii) Cerebral oxygenation and its potential as a viable clinical therapy; iii) Stem cells and neuroregeneration; and iv) Molecular mechanisms of neuronal injury. Our research strategy is to build a coherent, synergistic research program under the umbrella of CNS pathophysiology led by the PI of this application who will work with the group leaders of these four topics. The specific aims of the proposed Phase III COBRE are to: (1) maintain and expand the comprehensive neuroimaging core facilities that will support the conduct of basic and translational research in the area of CNS pathophysiology at UNM; and (2) sustain and expand a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment by enhancing the focus on neuroimaging research and increasing the number of NIH-funded investigators through the proposed overall strategic planning and PPP.