Award
National Institute of General Medical Sciences 5SC3GM122657-08
Microglial interactions with the Perineuronal Net
Recipient
Queens College
Award Amount
$115,500.00
Ceiling
$115,500.00
Awarded
April 29, 2025
Identifier
5SC3GM122657-08
This award funds research on the interaction between microglia and the perineuronal net in the brain, investigating how sensory experience regulates microglia and their impact on neural protection and plasticity.
Description
Proper microglia functioning is necessary for a healthy brain; disruption of microglia can alter behavior and lead to neurological pathologies. The study focuses on how microglia are regulated by sensory experience and how they may impact the perineuronal net, a neuron-specific form of the extracellular matrix. The perineuronal net protects cells from oxidative stress and constrains neural alterations in adulthood. The interaction between microglia and the perineuronal net is unknown and will be investigated using anatomical, physiological, and behavioral experiments.