# Wyoming Sensory Biology COBRE

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING · 2022 · $2,006,157

## Abstract

Abstract
The primary mission of the Sensory Biology COBRE (SBC) is to foster and conduct high-quality scientific
research that advances our understanding of human sensory systems and disorders related to them. A major
role of the Center is to support and mentor the development of junior investigators to pursue research in
sensory system function and dysfunction. During Phase I, the SBC spearheaded transformative changes in the
landscape of Sensory Biology Research. In addition to basic research related to the fundamental mechanisms
of sensory processing and the role of the sensory system in social and cognitive behaviors, SBC labs also
focused on translational research in mental health and psychiatric disorders. For the Phase II period, the SBC
will continue to tackle the most critical public health issues relevant to the State of Wyoming for the 21st
century, including aging and chronic diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementias (AD/RD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), developmental disorders that affect communication
and behavior in children (autism spectrum disorders, ASD), and recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). The
Phase II Center will support four initial project leaders who will study the key roles of novel circuits in
neurological disorders: the role of the lateral parabrachial nucleus in sundowning associated with AD/RD; the
role of the medial prefrontal cortex in ALS and AD/RD; the role of oxytocin neurons in the parvocellular nucleus
in pro-social behavior and disruptions of social behavior in ASD; and the role of electrical signaling that drives
inflammation and glia bridging in the recovery from SCI. SBC will enhance the research quality and output of
the junior investigators by providing mentoring, collaboration, and training and by sharing resources and animal
models. The successful execution of SBC’s Phase II goal will help propel the SBC into Phase III where SBC
will become an independent, thriving, and sustainable Center of Excellence, comprised of over fifteen
independently funded labs and a multi-disciplinary biomedical research program. To achieve this goal, we
propose the following four specific aims for the Phase II period: Aim 1. Expand the research scope to tackle
important health issues relevant to the State of Wyoming. Aim 2. Advance the Phase II center by providing
more effective administrative oversight of the research, finance, mentoring, and evaluation activities. Aim 3.
Enhance the operational efficiency and the long-term self-sustainability of the Core. Aim 4. Bolster the growth
achieved during Phase I by leveraging Phase II financial resources to recruit new junior investigators and
increase their integration into thematic programs. Support of Phase II is crucial to our efforts in building a
sustainable research center in the State of Wyoming. The support of Phase II will garner the institutional
support needed for the long-term self-sustainability of the Center post-IDeA f...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10495795
- **Project number:** 2P20GM121310-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
- **Principal Investigator:** Qian-Quan Sun
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $2,006,157
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10495795

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10495795, Wyoming Sensory Biology COBRE (2P20GM121310-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10495795. Licensed CC0.

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