Network Mechanisms of Impaired Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in a Mouse Model of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
The overall goal of this proposal is to establish the relevance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis as a potential therapeutic target for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), utilizing a well-characterized mouse model of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). The significance for adult hippocampal neurogenesis as a potential therapeutic target in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is based […]
Neural Mechanisms of Hypertension
Despite recent advances in pharmacological therapy and patient care, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Salt-induced hypertension (SH) is a major form of human primary hypertension, which is the main risk factor for CVD. This proposal is designed to elucidate neural mechanisms underlying SH, with a focus on uncovering novel […]
Characterizing the contribution of trogocytosis to T Follicular Helper differentiation and humoral immune responses
Recognition of cognate MHC class II:peptide complexes by CD4+ T cells triggers large-scale molecular rearrangements at the T- antigen presenting cells (APC) interface forming a structure called the immune synapse. At the synapse, T cells capture large membrane fragments and associated proteins from the APC in a process termed trogocytosis. While this phenomenon has the […]
Craniofacial cartilage from human stem cells through neural crest stem cells
Craniofacial cartilage from human stem cells through neural crest stem cells Birth defects or injuries to the face can compromise an individual’s self image and interactions with other people. At present, it is difficult to reconstruct cartilaginous features (nose, ears) with plastic surgery techniques, and transplanted tissue is often rejected without immunosuppressants. An attractive potential […]
Surveillance genome sequencing to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in Montana
Montana is a state with large rural and Tribal Nations populations. Both groups have been underrepresented in whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the state of Montana lags significantly behind the country as a whole in sequencing data available from patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Given the emergence of dangerous SARS-CoV-2 variants with higher viral […]
A Multidisciplinary Research Network
MT INBRE IV has two overarching goals: 1) maintain and further develop the Montana research network and student pipeline, and 2) utilize this network to address the serious health disparities Montana’s rural and Native communities face. MT INBRE IV will support and mentor investigators from research universities, primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), and tribal colleges (TCs) […]
Macrophage Determinants of Retinal Regeneration
Macrophage Determinants of Retinal Regeneration The objective of this proposal is to understand microglia and macrophage ontogeny, dynamics, and endogenous roles in retinal degeneration and regeneration using the zebrafish as a model, a vertebrate organism capable of robust retinal regeneration following a variety of insults. Humans do not possess this regenerative capacity both in contexts […]
OSM-induced IL-6 and ER status in metastatic breast cancer
Despite new drugs and improved detection methods, the five-year survival rate for female breast cancer patients with distant metastases lingers at a dismal 27%. This is in part due to a critical lack of therapeutics specifically targeting triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) progesterone receptor- negative (PR-) and HER2-negative (HER2-). This […]
Idaho Biomedical Research Collaborative in Emerging/Reemerging Infectious Disease
The COBRE Program Director (PD), Dr. Dennis Stevens, and the Idaho Veterans Research and Education Foundation (IVREF) seek to establish a well-equipped, multi-disciplinary, broadly-supported and ultimately self- sustaining Collaborative Biomedical Research Center of Excellence (COE) in Emerging/Reemerging Infectious Diseases at its partner institution – the Boise Idaho Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Dr. Stevens is […]
Role of Distortion Energy in Fibroblast-Mediated Remodeling of Collagen Matrices
Dense connective tissue is composed of an abundant collagen network that is maintained and repaired by fibroblasts. These fibrous tissues are commonly injured and due to poor vascularity are slow to heal, leading to over 15 million hospital visits in the U.S. each year. It’s well established that dynamic mechanical stimulus will trigger fibroblasts to […]