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Nanosensors to study invertebrate functional hypoxia and electrolyte regulation

Award Number: R15GM140443
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/24/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2024

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Nanosensors to study invertebrate functional hypoxia and electrolyte regulation - PROJECT SUMMARY: While vertebrate monitoring is an established field, researchers working with invertebrates have limited tools for physiological monitoring. As an example, in the tobacco hornworm model much is still unknown about respiration – one of the most fundamental biological processes! As hornworms grow their respiratory system doesn't keep pace. However, we don't have the tools to actually monitor oxygenation like we do with vertebrates. The tools that vertebrate model systems use are often not applicable to invertebrate model systems, limiting the ability to continuously profile fundamental physiology. Without advances in the development of sensors that can monitor these invertebrate model systems we cannot hope to fully metabolically profile and understand them. Our long-term goal is the development of nanosensors and accessible imaging systems capable of in vivo and in vitro metabolic monitoring of invertebrate model systems to help understand fundamental physiology. Our overall objective of this work is to answer two key questions in tobacco hornworm respiration: 1) does hypoxia increase during the 4th instar as measured by tissue oxygenation? 2) does hypoxia lead to electrolyte dysregulation in the hemolymph? Our central hypothesis is that at the end of the 4th and 5th instars oxygen concentration is lower in the hornworm, but electrolyte balances remain constant over the entire instar. Our hypothesis results from transcription studies of hypoxia related proteins in hornworms suggesting functional hypoxia during this growth cycle, and work from vertebrates showing that during hypoxia electrolyte homeostasis is maintained. The rationale for the proposed research is that development of nanosensors for invertebrate monitoring will enable answering these (and other) questions concerning metabolism not addressable with the current approaches for monitoring. To test our hypothesis and achieve our objective, we propose the following specific aims: Aim 1: Develop nanosensors for co-monitoring oxygen, pH, and electrolytes. Aim 2: Quantify in vivo and in vitro imaging approaches using consumer photography equipment. Aim 3: Monitor functional hypoxia in vivo to determine how growth impacts organism chemistry. As the overall outcome of this work we will have a nanosensor system capable of monitoring physiology of invertebrates similar to the tools available for vertebrates. We will be able to, in real time, measure hemolymph chemistry (oxygen, electrolytes) during growth and hypoxia to determine if functional hypoxia is present. The positive impact from this will be new tools and approaches to measure analyte concentrations in systems where there aren't currently viable approaches. Importantly, these will work for invertebrates, vertebrates, and a range of other in vitro systems. For AREA eligible institutions without vertebrate research, this will open up physiological monitoring to researchers who can't currently use it. We aim to bring pulse-oximetry like tools to the invertebrate research world.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2020	TRUSTEES OF THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES	1500 ILLINOIS ST	GOLDEN	CO	80401	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	1/29/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2020	TRUSTEES OF THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES	1500 ILLINOIS ST	GOLDEN	CO	80401	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	7/18/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $418,541 )
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES	1500 ILLINOIS ST	GOLDEN	CO	80401	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/23/2020	NEW	$418,541
														Subtotal = $418,541

Grand Total All Awards = $418,541

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Nanosensors to study invertebrate functional hypoxia and electrolyte regulation

Award Number: R15GM140443

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/24/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2024

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