Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury
NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition that induces a wide array of transcriptional and functional changes to a variety of cell types in the central nervous system (CNS), including fibroblasts. After SCI, fibroblasts undergo a wound healing response called fibrotic scarring, in which they activate, proliferate, and migrate to the lesion site to produce extracellular matrix proteins. While acute fibrotic scarring is critical in orchestrating tissue repair and preserving tissue integrity; aberrant, chronic fibrotic scarring, has been implicated to contribute to the CNS limited regenerative potential after SCI. Chronic fibrotic scarring remains poorly understudied in elucidating the cellular mechanisms that govern its development, formation, extracellular influence. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) has been extensively characterized as the central regulator of fibrotic scarring in the liver, heart, lung, and kidney while also being implicated in the CNS through sc-RNAseq and pharmacological evidence. However. there is no genetic, cell-specific evidence establishing the role of TGF-β and chronic fibrotic scarring after SCI and how the fibrotic scar shapes the injury site. This proposal aims to determine the contribution of TGF-β signaling in chronic fibrotic scarring and its role on the extracellular microenvironment using mice transgenic models and spatial transcriptomics. My overall hypothesis is that fibrotic scarring is modulated by TGF-β signaling and contributes to a nonpermissive microenvironment for neural repair and recovery after SCI. To test this hypothesis, I will conditionally delete TGF-β receptor 2 (TGFBR2) specifically in fibroblasts using a collagen type 1 alpha 2 promoter and assess fibrotic scarring in mouse models of SCI. Aim 1 will be focused on determining if fibrotic scarring is driven by TGF-β signaling in fibroblasts following SCI and its impact on hindlimb functional recovery. Recovery will be assessed in three locomotor behavioral assays. Aim 2 will leverage spatial transcriptomics to examine the impact of fibrotic scarring attenuation on various spatially resolved injury site cell populations, structures, and the overall microenvironment. Impacts on the genetic signatures of astrocytes, macrophages, and microglia will be of specific interest due to their role in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity after SCI. Aim 3 will focus on manipulating fibrotic scarring to promote corticospinal tract axon regeneration after a dorsal hemisection SCI. This work will provide better insight into the cellular and molecular processes involved in fibrotic scarring after SCI, which will lead to more effective therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injury in the future.
Grant Summary
Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury is a NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant providing up to $43K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-11-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Up to $43K
2028-11-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke before the deadline.
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Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury?
Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury is offered by NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury provide?
Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury provides up to $43K per award from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury deadline?
Applications for Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury are due 2028-11-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury?
To apply for Applying spatial transcriptomics and mouse molecular genetics to understand the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring for promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.