This application describes a five-year training program for development of an academic career in studying the role of skin-derived BDNF in the maintenance and protection of cutaneous mechanosensory afferents. I am a physician scientist with an expertise in neuropathology. I will establish myself as an independent investigator during this award period by developing my research under the mentorship of outstanding physicians and researchers. The support from my mentors and my institution will contribute to a special environment for promoting the success of my research and career development. This effort will specifically involve my primary mentor, Dr. James Russell of University of Maryland School of Medicine, and co-mentors Dr. David Ginty of Harvard Medical School and Dr. Michael Polydefkis of Johns Hopkins University. The career development plan will build on my strong background in morphologic analysis of the nervous system, adding didactic training and research experiences in related disciplines. My overall career goal is to become an outstanding physician scientist in the field of sensory nervous system and related disorders. The Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award will allow me to achieve this goal by providing dedicated time and resources for laboratory work and training activities. It will also provide me with an opportunity to develop the necessary skills to become an independent researcher. In this application, I propose to use mouse models to study the role of skin-derived BDNF in the maintenance of TrkB-expressing cutaneous sensory receptors and to characterize its mechanism in mediating the protective effect of Nicotinamide Riboside against diabetic neuropathy. The work highlights the importance of skin-derived BDNF in sensory nerve protection and the potential of Nicotinamide Riboside as a novel therapeutic agent for diabetic neuropathy.

Public Health Relevance

The project aims to determine the role of skin-derived BDNF in the maintenance of cutaneous mechanosensory afferents. I propose to use animal models to study the effect of skin-derived BDNF on the maintenance of TrkB-expressing cutaneous sensory receptors and to characterize its mechanism in mediating the protective effect of Nicotinamide Riboside against diabetic neuropathy. The work highlights the importance of skin-derived BDNF in sensory nerve protection and the potential of Nicotinamide Riboside as a novel therapeutic agent for diabetic neuropathy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08NS102468-02
Application #
9652837
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Training Initial Review Group (NST)
Program Officer
Mohapatra, Durga Prasanna
Project Start
2018-03-01
Project End
2023-02-28
Budget Start
2019-03-01
Budget End
2020-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201