Integrative Program in CNS Pathophysiology Research

该提案的总体目标是将我们现有的第二阶段COBRE研究计划和核心设施转变为一个国家认可的研究中心，可以竞争COBRE独立的NIH中心赠款。在COBRE第一阶段，我们成功地开发了一个CNS病理生理学研究的综合项目，并利用NCRR的C 06赠款建立了一个11，000英尺[2]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（BRaIN成像）中心。在第二阶段，我们升级了最先进的多模式神经成像核心设施，并将这些设施作为成功指导初级PI的基础设施。在第一阶段和第二阶段，在COBRE的9个初级PI中有6个成功地获得了总共9个新的NIH R 01赠款。我们的同行评审出版物和赠款数量也大幅增加。为了支持这一申请，我们获得了约500，000美元的机构支持，用于将我们的MR扫描仪升级为相控阵系统，另外获得了约400，000美元的机构支持，用于支持III期项目的管理。本申请中申请的资金将用于支持核心设施（三个核心--磁共振成像（MRI）、电子顺磁共振成像（EPRI）和具有双光子激光扫描显微镜的光学/电生理学核心的人员和运营成本）和试点项目计划（PPP）。核心设施和PPP的支持是至关重要的，使我们的研究计划在国家一级的竞争力水平。在过去的8年中，我们的研究计划已经发展成四个不同的主题：i）BBB破坏的分子机制; ii）脑氧合及其作为可行的临床治疗的潜力; iii）干细胞和神经再生;和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研究项目，该项目由本申请的PI领导，PI将与这四个主题的小组负责人合作。拟议的第三阶段COBRE的具体目标是：（1）维护和扩大综合神经影像核心设施，支持在UNM进行CNS病理生理学领域的基础和转化研究;和（2）通过加强对神经影像学研究的关注和增加NIH的数量，通过拟议的总体战略规划和公私伙伴关系为调查员提供经费。

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.