COBRE Pilot Awards
The UNE Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function was established in 2012 through funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The Center’s mission is to significantly contribute to the scientific understanding of the neurobiology of chronic pain. The annual pilot project awards aid in this 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. To date, three of these pilot projects have led to extramural awards.
2020 Pilot Projects
Novel expression of MHC class II on DRG neurons can directly activate CD4+ T cells contributing to the resolution of neuropathic pain
Diana Goode, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Summary
Determine if inhibiting CD4+ T cell activation will decrease the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in DRG and prolong mechanical hypersensitivity. These results will provide compelling evidence that DRG neurons have the capacity to directly activate CD4+ T cells to trigger the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines in models of neuropathic and inflammatory.
Oxytocin signaling in nucleus accumbens GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain
Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Summary
There is evidence supporting the hypothesis that oxytocin reduces the negative affective component of chronic pain through the activation of NAc GABAergic interneurons. This project will characterize oxytocin signaling in nucleus accumbens GABAergic interneurons ex vitro. The study will also examine the activity of NAc GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain in behaving animals.
2019 Pilot Projects
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
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
Mitochondrial contributions to the development of persistent hyperalgesia
BMP modulation of injury-induced nociceptive sensitization in rodent and Drosophila
Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
*R15 Grant Awarded July 2020
2018 Pilot Projects
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
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
Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dynamic scaffolding of mu opioid receptor-associated complexes as a mechanism mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia
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 Pilot Project Recipients
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
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
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 Pilot Grant Recipients
The 2016 pilot awards were supported by the COBRE 5P20GM103643.
Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain
Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain
Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
2015 Pilot Grant Recipients
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*
Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences
Mechanisms of Infection-Mediated Pain
Associate Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
Primary Cilia in Nociceptive DRG Neurons: Potential Links to Acute and Chronic Pain
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***
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 Pilot Grant Recipients
Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D.*
Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences.
View Glenn Stevenson's bio
Characterization of Delta/Mu Opioid Receptor Interactions on Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain-depressed Behaviors**
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Identification of the Activated Signaling Complex of the Mu Opioid Receptor
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine.
*R15 Grant Awarded September 2014
**Transitioned to COBRE Project October 2014