# Molecular Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $312,305

## Abstract

Molecular Core – Summary
The molecular and immunological characterization of inflammation and injury markers is crucial for the evaluation
of the analgesic complementary approaches proposed in all four projects of this Center. Preliminary studies have
identified sets of pro-inflammatory genes in sensory ganglia, spinal cord, brainstem and brain strongly induced
by the pro-algesic stimuli in the models (chemotherapy, tibial fracture, functional pain syndrome, trigeminal pain)
suggesting that pain has detrimental effects on the function of the CNS and induces inflammatory states in other
organs remote from the site of injury. The Molecular Core will support the Center Projects through the following
Specific Aims: Core Specific Aim 1: Analyze the effects of injuries, prior stress and complementary analgesic
interventions on gene expression in injured tissues and neuronal tissues of the pain pathway. Core Specific
Aim 2: Determine systemic and tissue levels of inflammatory biomarkers and inflammation-resolving lipid
mediators. Core Specific Aim 3: Examine the effects of pain stimuli, prior stress and complementary
interventions on systemic leukocyte profiles and neuroinflammatory cells in neuronal tissues. Core Specific
Aim 4:Provide resources for production of viral tracers for labeling of neuronal circuits engaged in pain models
and by bioelectronic complementary analgesic interventions. Methods include quantitative PCR analysis,
multiplex immunoassays and ELISAs, flow cytometry and cell culture. The Molecular Core will work closely
together with Project Investigators, Behavioral Core, the Statistical Unit of the Administrative Core and external
core facilities to establish a workflow for sample tracing, blinded data transfer and feedback for optimization of
experimental designs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9703532
- **Project number:** 1P01AT009968-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SVEN-ERIC JORDT
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $312,305
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-20 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9703532

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9703532, Molecular Core (1P01AT009968-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9703532. Licensed CC0.

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