Center for Pain Research Pilot Awards

The annual pilot project awards aid in the Center for Pain Research’s mission by supporting new projects at UNE in the field of sensory and pain research. This award also helps build the neuroscience research community at UNE. 

Pilot Project Information

The Center for Pain Research calls for pilot project proposals aimed at acquiring preliminary data for NIH R01/R15/R21/SBIR/STTR or comparable grant applications and for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Studies should utilize the Histology and Imaging Core and/or Behavior Core facilities.

Learn more about the UNE Center for Pain Research’s goals and the research core facilities

Projects may request up to $25,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

Continuation of funding after the first year is contingent upon success in meeting project goals and approval of the Center for Pain Research External Advisory Board. Proposals will be reviewed by a study section which will make funding recommendations to the External Advisory Board. All applications will require approval by NIH prior to funding. Investigators who receive support are expected to submit a progress report prior to the end of the first-year outlining progress made to date, any manuscripts published, in press, or under review, and how the data acquired will contribute to an NIH application. Faculty at the University of New England, and Maine Medical Center Research Institute are eligible to apply.

Questions can be directed to Ian Meng at imeng@une.edu or (207) 602-2195.

An illustration of a letter with a signature

Letters of intent

Email your letter of intent to Heather Pollard at hpollard1@une.edu by December 15, 2023.

Your letter should include:

  • Project title
  • List of key personnel
  • Brief description of the project (this information will be used to find qualified reviewers)
An illustration of an application on a clipboard

Applications

Submitted applications must be received by Heather Pollard at hpollard1@une.edu no later than 5 p.m. on January 12, 2024.

Completed applications must include (links below provide downloadable templates):

  • Project Title and Summary (PDF)
  • Research Strategy Section
    • 3-page limit (not including works cited) which includes
      • Specific Aims
      • Background/Significance
      • Experimental Design/Approach
      • Expected Outcomes
      • Timeline for Completion
  • NIH Biosketches for all major personnel and collaborators
  • Budget page
    • Provide a detailed justification for all supplies and personnel
  • IACUC/IRB approval is not required for grant submission but will be required if the proposal is selected for funding

2022 Pilot Project Recipients

Headshot of Ling Cao
Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Chair, IACUC
Director, In Vitro Analytical Core
Headshot of Kathleen Becker
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Characterization of in vivo D1 dopamine / mu opioid receptor interactions in rats using operant assays of pain-depressed behavior and rate suppression, as well as conditioned place preference

Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences

Effects of morphine on HIV Tat-associated sensory neuropathy

Ling Cao, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Impact of Saphenous Nerve Injury on Signaling from the Tibia Medullary Cavity to the Dorsal Room Ganglia in Mice

Kathleen Becker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Past Pilot Projects and Recipients

2021

Novel expression of MHC class II on DRG neurons can directly activate CD4+ T cells contributing to the resolution of neuropathic pain*

2019

The 2019 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.

Effects of gut microbiome modulation on rheumatoid (RA)- and osteoarthritis (OA)-like pain-related behaviors, and gut microbial diversity/abundance

  • Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Co-Investigator: Meghan May, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Oxytocin signaling in nucleus accumbens GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain

  • Christoph Straub, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Mitochondrial contributions to the development of persistent hyperalgesia

BMP modulation of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in rodent and Drosophila

2018

The 2018 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.

Effects of gut microbiome modulation on inflammatory pain-related behaviors

Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain

Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia

  • Derek Molliver, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Co-Investigators:
    • Tamara King, Ph.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Ben Harrison, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine

2017

The 2017 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643 and the Office of Research and Scholarship.

Effects of gut microbiome modulation on inflammatory pain-related behaviors

Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain

Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia

Peripheral and central determinants of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in Drosophila

2016

The 2016 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643.

Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain

Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain

2015

The 2015 pilot awards were supported in part by the COBRE 5P20GM103643, UNE’s Office of Sponsored Research, and Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences.

Effects of Early Life Pain on Subsequent Fear Conditioning and Sensory Function*

Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain

Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain

Resident DRG Macrophages: Impact on Nociceptor Responses**

  • Katherine Hanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Chronic Pain, Motor Output, and Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis***

*Transitioned to COBRE Project September 2016

**American Pain Society Rita Allen Fellowship Award - Received April 2016

***R15 Grant Awarded April 2016

2014

Characterization of Delta/Mu Opioid Receptor Interactions on Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain-depressed Behaviors**

  • Tamara King, Ph.D., associate professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Identification of the Activated Signaling Complex of the Mu Opioid Receptor

*R15 Grant Awarded September 2014

**Transitioned to COBRE Project October 2014