COBRE Pilot Awards
The annual pilot project awards aid in COBRE’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 COBRE Center for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function is 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 COBRE Histology and Imaging Core and/or Behavior Core facilities. More information about the UNE COBRE’s goals and the research core facilities can be found at http://www.une.edu/research/cobre.
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 COBRE 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.
Letters of intent
Email your letter of intent to Ian Meng.
Your letter should include:
- Project title
- List of key personnel
- Brief description of the project (this information will be used to find qualified reviewers)
Applications
Submitted applications must be received by Ian Meng no later than 5 p.m. on the deadline.
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
- 3-page limit (not including works cited) which includes
- 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
Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Ling Cao, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
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
- Derek Molliver, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
BMP modulation of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in rodent and Drosophila
- Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
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
- 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
Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
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
- 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
Primary cilia in nociceptive DRG neurons: Investigating a role in chronic pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
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
Peripheral and central determinants of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in Drosophila
- Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
2016
The 2016 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643.
Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain
- Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
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*
- Michael Burman, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain
- Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain
- Kerry Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
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***
- Katherine Rudolph, PT, Ph.D., associate professor in the Westbrook College of Health Professions
*Transitioned to COBRE Project September 2016
**American Pain Society Rita Allen Fellowship Award - Received April 2016
***R15 Grant Awarded April 2016
2014
- Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D.*, associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences
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
- John Streicher, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
*R15 Grant Awarded September 2014
**Transitioned to COBRE Project October 2014