The long-term goal of this project is to identify the role of the gaseous neuronal messenger molecule Nitric oxide (NO) in the development of the nervous system. NO is known to be involved in a large number of physiological events and in most of these cases, NO is released by one cell or tissue and then acts on another cell or tissue. The possibility that NO might also have physiological effects in the cell in which it is produced, however, has attracted very little attention so far. Novel preliminary evidence shows that NO can have important physiological roles within cells that produce it, such as regulating a variety of ion channels and determining the speed with which nerve cells grow. During neuronal development, the motile tips of advancing neuronal structures, called growth cones, guide extending nerve processes (such as axons and dendrites) to their appropriate targets by a process termed pathfinding. Expression of the Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) gene, which is responsible for the enzymatic production of NO, has been linked to the process of synapse formation and neuronal plasticity, making the neuronal growth cone a prime location for NO to act and effect pathfinding and synaptogenesis. Techniques used in this study include electrophysiology, molecular biology, cell culture and advanced imaging applications. The research proposed will provide the groundwork to refine our thinking about NO signaling in the brain and will serve as the basis to develop novel approaches to investigate brain development and repair. The proposed work combines research and educational components. It contains projects particularly suited for undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Several successful programs at Georgia State University serve as pipelines to enhance the representation of underrepresented ethnic minorities in research laboratories and in the scientific community as a whole.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS)
Application #
0843173
Program Officer
Mary Ann Asson-Batres
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2009-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$716,110
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30303