The proposed Rocky Mountain Taste and Smell Center (RMTSC) will encompass seventeen principal investigators including scientists with a substantial record of accomplishment in the field of chemical senses as well as investigators with expertise in other areas of neurobiology. The overall goal of the RMTSC is to facilitate research in the chemical senses by providing communal resources and by bringing together productive investigators into a supportive, interactive environment. Three interrelated specific aims are delineated: 1. Provide a focal point for increased interactions among participating investigators 2. Enhance the research capabilities and infrastructure supporting the individual laboratories 3. Facilitate entr?e of promising investigators into the study of chemical senses In order to accomplish these goals, three Core service areas are proposed. Core A (Gene- Targeted/Transgenic Mouse Core;L. Barlow, Director) will develop and maintain transgenic/gene-targeted mice. Core B (Cellular Visualization and Analysis Core;T. Finger, Director) will provide advanced neurohistology, cellular visualization services and will develop quantitative approaches for the rigorous analysis of 3-dimensional image data sets. Core C (Electrophysiological and Behavioral Assessments, S. Kinnamon and D. Restrepo, Co-Directors) will provide behavioral and electrophysiological assay services. These cores provide services not currently supported or available through the aegis of other grants and will thereby enhance the research capabilities of the participating investigators.

Public Health Relevance

The RMTSC facilitates research in the chemical senses in the Rocky Mountain Region. The chemical senses include taste, smell and chemisthesis (the detection of irritants in air). Loss of chemical senses is important in several diseases. For example, loss of the ability to smell is highly correlated with clinical depression leading to suicide, and treatment of head and neck cancer with radiation leads to a loss of the sense of taste. The RMTSC provides facilities to further research of the chemical senses in health and disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Center Core Grants (P30)
Project #
5P30DC004657-13
Application #
8305613
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDC1-SRB-Q (68))
Program Officer
Platt, Christopher
Project Start
2000-09-25
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$584,862
Indirect Cost
$188,882
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
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