# Investigating mechanisms of neurodegeneration

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2022 · $33,958

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Disease and injury cause a catastrophic loss of cognitive and motor abilities in the nervous system. Preventing
neurodegeneration is critical to maintaining neuronal function. To develop effective treatments, we first need a
greater understanding of the genetic and cellular mechanisms that determine whether the nervous system
degenerates in response to various insults. Caenorhabditis elegans is a highly tractable model to dissect
conserved molecular and cellular mechanisms. The goal of this proposal is to take advantage of the C. elegans
model to identify regulatory mechanisms of axon degeneration. To reach this goal, I will apply my developing
skills in detailed genetic analyses, laser axotomy, imaging, sequencing, and bioinformatics. The impact of this
project is significant. In addition to providing a critical advance in understanding the fundamental mechanisms
of neurodegeneration, it will also inform future therapeutic approaches that can be manipulated to protect the
nervous system from degenerating.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10466321
- **Project number:** 1F31NS124338-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren O'Connor
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $33,958
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-09 → 2024-11-08

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10466321

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10466321, Investigating mechanisms of neurodegeneration (1F31NS124338-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10466321. Licensed CC0.

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