CTNT Research Support
Seed Funds
The Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics (CTNT) is
accepting applications for seed funds. If interested, please, send
Dr. Volker Neugebauer a Letter of Intent with a one-page description of the proposed
project including novelty and significance, overall hypothesis, specific aims and
proposed experiments/studies.
This information will be distributed to CTNT members in advance of your informal chalk talk presentation of the project.
Scope and Requirements
Translational research, defined broadly as research addressing a clinically relevant "condition", intervention or target. Research itself can be basic science and does not need to be "clinical".
To generate preliminary data and grant applications for external funding by the end of the seed fund period. A viable plan for obtains external funding, including a grant application by the end of the seed grant, is required.
Team of CTNT members from basic science and clinical departments; additional Investigators and Consultants can be included.
1 year, $30k maximum (as justified)
Awardees
Yoon, Y, PhD (PI), Wilms, H, MD, and Neugebauer, V, MD, PhD
Auditory Cortex Implant - Neural responses at primary auditory cortex in response
to spectral and temporal signals processed by speech processor
Reddy, A, PhD (PI), Lawrence, JJ, PhD, DeToledo, J, MD
Protective effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, Citalopram, against
Alzheimer's Disease
Jansen, M, PhD (PI), Dissanaike, S, MD (Co-PI)
nAChR-alpha7 and RIC-3 expressions in sepsis and modulation by nicotine
Ganapathy, V., PhD (PI), Lawrence, JJ, PhD (Co-PI), Neugebauer, V, MD, PhD (Co-PI),
DeToledo, J, MD
Characterization of the humanized mouse for SLC13A5, a transporter whose loss of function
causes neonatal epilepsy and encephalopathy
Karamyshev, A., PhD (PI), Reddy, H., PhD, Wilms, H., MD, DeToledo, J., MD
Development of Technology to Identify Markers for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative
Diseases
Bergeson, S., PhD (PI), Reid, T., PhD, Mitchell, K., MD,
Edwards, D., MD, Baronia, R., PhD, Larumbe, E., PhD
Translational Uses for Chemically Modified Minocyclines
PI, Leslie Shen, Pathology; MPI, Volker Neugebauer, Pharmacology & Neuroscience; Co-Investigators,
Jean-Michel Brismée, Rehabilitation Science, Mimi Zumwalt, Orthopedic Surgery; TTU
Collaborators, Jaehoon Lee, Educational Psychology, Ming-Chien Chyu, Mechanical Engineering,
Hui-Ying Luk, Kinesiology & Sport Management, Michael O'Boyle, Neuroimaging Center;
External Collaborator, Bruce A. Watkins, UC Davis.
Tai Chi for pain management: a pilot mechanistic study
PI, Leslie Shen, Pathology; MPI, Volker Neugebauer, Pharmacology & Neuroscience; Co-Investigators,
Jean-Michel Brismée, Rehabilitation Science, Mimi Zumwalt, Orthopedic Surgery; TTU
Collaborators, Jaehoon Lee, Educational Psychology, Ming-Chien Chyu, Mechanical Engineering,
Hui-Ying Luk, Kinesiology & Sport Management; TTU Neuroimaging Center; External Collaborators,
Bruce A. Watkins, UC Davis, Tor D. Wager, Dartmouth.
Tai Chi for pain management: a pilot mechanistic study - Supplement
Andrey Karamyshev, PhD, Cell Biology and Biochemistry (PI) and Maria Manczak, PhD,
Garrison Institute on Aging (MPI).
Development of a Model System for Amyloid Precursor Protein Synthesis and Detection.
Note: CTNT Seed Fund Program is supported by a cooperation with the TTUHSC Office of Research Initiative “Push for Collaborative Grant Submissions / Support for Research Centers of Excellence”
Neurophysiology Core
The Neurophysiology Core (Director, Dr. Neugebauer) houses electrophysiology systems
(5 setups for ex vivo patch-clamp recordings and optogenetics; 2 setups for in vivo
recordings and optogenetics), a newly behavioral suite with a battery of behavioral
setups in shielded temperature-, light- and noise-level-controlled rooms with optogenetic
tools, and an imaging laboratory with a state-of-the-art in vivo and in vitro multiphoton
system with rapid 3D imaging, combined with simultaneous point photoactivation for
spatial and temporal analyses of synaptic, cellular and subcellular mechanisms and
targets. An imaging and stereology/histology laboratory includes a new Olympus FV3000
confocal microscopy system, a BX51 upright microscope (Olympus) based Computer Assisted
Stereology Toolbox (CAST) stereology system, and a new HM525XN Cryostat (Leica). Additional
areas are designated for animal handling, surgery and postoperative monitoring. Surgical
areas are equipped for the induction of preclinical models, stereotaxic implantation
of drug delivery and optical stimulation devices, and viral vector injections. Several
microdialysis systems and optogenetic stimulation systems are located in the electrophysiology,
behavioral and surgical areas. The core facility also contains benches for preparing
chemical solutions, manufacturing electrodes for electrophysiology, obtaining and
maintaining brain slices, and histological analysis of stained tissues.