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A new mechanistic and technological framework for uncovering the spinal cord neural systems important for functional recovery after injury

Award Number: K01NS116224
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2026

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A new mechanistic and technological framework for uncovering the spinal cord neural systems important for functional recovery after injury - Project Summary and Abstract Interventions that increase plasticity and regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) are improving, but little is known about the neural systems that would be most effective to target such interventions. Sensory based rehabilitation suggests a strong link between cutaneous and proprioceptive sensory neuron activity and motor recovery. Previous experiments provide strong support for the intermediate zone (IZ) of the spinal cord (SC) as an important site mediating this recovery. However, few studies have assessed the role of specific IZ neurons in functional recovery. Key barriers to progress include lack of characterization of specific cell types within the IZ and a paucity of tools to visualize circuits and test their functions in motor performance and recovery following SCI. Our lab combines sophisticated mouse genetic approaches with sensitive motor movement tracking to understand how sensory information is encoded by the SC to influence behavior. Using this approach, we uncovered that intermediate zone (IZ) parvalbumin positive interneurons (PVs) are important for tactile motor responses and locomotion. We hypothesize that IZ-PVs process sensory information to activate specific muscle groups during locomotion and that they play a critical role in activity-based functional recovery following SCI. The ability to identify circuits important for functional recovery relies on how accurately we can quantify differences in behavioral outcomes. We are implementing an unsupervised approach using 3-D pose dynamics and artificial intelligence (AI) to characterize both sensitive behavioral biomarkers and uncover key spinal cord circuits important for the recovery process. Interventions that increase plasticity and regeneration are improving, and this project both identifies the neural systems and synaptic mechanisms that would be most effective to target such interventions and establishes an AI-based platform for fast, reliable and unbiased quantification of motor recovery in rodents. Thus, this project makes original and important contributions to the field of spinal cord research in ways that are specifically aligned with central missions of the NINDS. Moreover, our experimental scrutiny at both the neural and behavioral levels establishes a critical foundation for developing a leading research program and securing independent award funding studying the spinal cord circuits important for sensorimotor function and recovery following SCI. To this end, I have developed a thorough and pragmatic career development plan supported by a strong committee of mentors with extensive track records of laboratory and departmental level mentoring and distinguished portfolios of SCI-specific grant support from the NIH, DoD and private foundations. My career development activities will be focused on four aspects of my academic success. 1) Mentorship and guidance focused on laboratory management. 2) Development and growth of my independent research program and award funding, with a focus on SCI research gap-based training. 3) Navigating institutional responsibilities and fulfilling requirements for promotion and tenure. 4) Expanding my scientific network and profile.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $243,702 )
2024	2024	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	5	8/19/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$243,702
2024	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	4	2/28/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$130,965
2024	2022	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	2/28/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$130,965
														Subtotal = $243,702

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $243,702 )
2023	2023	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	9/15/2023	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$243,702
														Subtotal = $243,702

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $245,164 )
2022	2022	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	3/24/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$245,164
														Subtotal = $245,164

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $245,164 )
2021	2021	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	4/11/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$245,164
														Subtotal = $245,164

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $245,164 )
2020	2020	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	3/27/2020	NEW	$245,164
2020	2020	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	3 RUTGERS PLZA	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	1	4/13/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $245,164

Grand Total All Awards = $1,222,896

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A new mechanistic and technological framework for uncovering the spinal cord neural systems important for functional recovery after injury

Award Number: K01NS116224

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2026

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