# Molecular basis of bioelectronic medicine

> **NIH NIH R35** · FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH · 2024 · $168,880

## Abstract

Abstract
Research during the last funding period of this NIGMS-funded MIRA award has
significantly advanced understanding of the molecular immunobiology mechanisms at the
interface between the nervous system and the immune system. As reported in a series of
high impact publications, our lab’s discoveries of vagus nerve control of inflammation,
termed “the inflammatory reflex,” the elucidation of the specific neural and molecular
mechanisms, culminated in successful clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s
disease. This NIGMS MIRA-supported work of basic immunobiology programs focuses on
the anatomy, electrophysiology, and molecular mechanisms of the vagus nerve circuits
controlling innate immunity. It is credited with establishing and leading the field of
bioelectronic medicine. The present competing renewal proposes a logical, significant,
innovative, and impactful continuation of this work delineating how the brain controls
immunity. There remain many major unanswered questions. For example, what is the
origin, anatomy, and function in the brain of neural signals that control inflammation? How
does the brain sense and record the presence of inflammation in the body? And, what are
the brain and nervous system mechanisms that stimulate inflammation? Some of these
questions will be answered directly, and other new questions will likely arise during the
course of work to guide additional exploration. The PI and his lab have assembled and
lead teams to accomplish this work. They have the necessary experience and a track
record in using optogenetics, transgenic, and knock-out mice, immunological disease
models, imaging technologies, electro- and neuro-physiology methods, and basic
immunology and neurobiology. They are in an ideal environment to successfully complete
the proposed studies, both to advance the MIRA mission of NIGMS, and to continue their
journey translating basic science into clinical investigation and practice.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11100232
- **Project number:** 3R35GM118182-09S1
- **Recipient organization:** FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Kevin J Tracey
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $168,880
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-05-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11100232

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11100232, Molecular basis of bioelectronic medicine (3R35GM118182-09S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11100232. Licensed CC0.

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