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Lightly Salted: An Optogenetic Approach to Uncover the Role of Type I Cells in Salt Taste Transduction

Award Number: R21DC016990
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/22/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2022

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Lightly Salted: An Optogenetic Approach to Uncover the Role of Type I Cells in Salt Taste Transduction - Sodium (Na+) is an essential nutrient, but humans consume this nutrient in excess which increases the risk of hypertension and stroke. It is currently unknown which cell type within taste buds is responsible for Na+-taste transduction. Here, an optogenetic approach is used to determine whether Type I cells within taste buds are responsible for Na+ taste transduced through epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs). Optogenetic manipulation of Type I taste-bud cells allows for selective perturbation of taste-bud circuity with an unprecedented level of precision— unmatched by conventional pharmacology—and serves as a valuable tool for unraveling the enigma of the taste of Na+. This project will test two hypotheses. 1) Optogenetic activation (via Channelrhodopsin-2; ChR2) of Type I cells in fungiform-taste buds activates NaCl-best neurons in the mouse Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (NTS), located in the medulla. 2) Optogenetic activation (via ChR2) of Type I cells in fungiform taste buds elicits Na+ taste and drives Na+ appetite in Na+ deprived mice. Knowledge obtained from these investigations will provide the field with much needed information about the role of Type I cells in taste function, and could provide a target for pharmacological manipulation of taste circuitry to enhance salt taste, thereby decreasing Na+ intake. Such discoveries would have a positive impact on human health and disease afflicted by excess Na+ consumption.


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: 2022 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2022	2020	EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY	202 WELCH HALL	YPSILANTI	MI	48197	WASHTENAW	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	7/14/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $144,086 )
2020	2020	EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY	202 WELCH HALL	YPSILANTI	MI	48197	WASHTENAW	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	2/11/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$144,086
														Subtotal = $144,086

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $142,547 )
2019	2019	EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY	202 WELCH HALL	YPSILANTI	MI	48197	WASHTENAW	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	2/6/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$142,547
														Subtotal = $142,547

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $143,264 )
2018	2018	EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY	202 WELCH HALL	YPSILANTI	MI	48197	WASHTENAW	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	3/20/2018	NEW	$143,264
														Subtotal = $143,264

Grand Total All Awards = $429,897

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Lightly Salted: An Optogenetic Approach to Uncover the Role of Type I Cells in Salt Taste Transduction

Award Number: R21DC016990

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/22/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2022

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