# Model Development and Phenotyping Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2020 · $105,884

## Abstract

MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND PHENOTYPING CORE PROJECT ABSTRACT
In the United States, 70% of deaths annually can be attributed to chronic conditions. One of the most frequent
and debilitating is pain, which can either occur as a symptom of chronic illness or as a primary problem.
According to the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on Relieving Pain in America (2011), chronic pain is
a public health epidemic affecting more than 116 million Americans and costing more than $600 billion per year
in healthcare expenses and lost work productivity—despite advances in pharmacological treatment, most
people do not obtain adequate pain relief. Recently, various types of self-management strategies have been
tested for chronic pain management, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), non-pharmacologic
treatments (e.g., heat, cold, acupuncture, etc.) and physical activity. However, much like pharmacogenomic
influences on individual response to drug treatment, self-management intervention trials have demonstrated
mixed results in that some, but not all, study participants respond or participate. This could be due to many
factors, including the omics mechanisms that underlie an individual's resilience, motivation and/or capability to
engage in self-management behaviors that provide a symptom benefit. Moreover, the omics mechanisms
underlying the relative success or failure of self-management interventions on an individual level have been
understudied. Guided by an adapted National Institutes of Health Symptom Science (NIHSS) model, we
propose to develop the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Omics Associated with Self-management
Interventions for Symptoms (OASIS) Center. The science of the Center will focus on our hypothesis that
genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic outcomes (hereafter referred to as “omics”), mediated by
psychosocial factors and sex differences and/or moderated by the environment, predict individual resilience,
motivation and capability to engage in and participate in self-management behaviors (physical activity) and
response to interventions designed to improve chronic pain. The Model Development and Phenotyping Core
(MDPC) will provide specific technologies including rodent behavioral testing instruments for nociception,
neuromuscular function, sensory and motor fiber function, activity, cognition, depression, and anxiety. Clinical
testing instruments include a Medoc Pathway (thermal sensory testing), Medoc pressure algometer,
Neurometer (sensory fiber function), von Frey filaments, weighted probes, grip dynamometer, balance, and
gait analysis. The MDPC will also provide training and support for the proper handling and husbandry of
animals, use of the instruments, and analysis of the data. In consultation with the MDPC Directors, the pilot PIs
will refine their research plans and study designs, select appropriate behavioral assays, and develop optimal
experimental protocols to maximize the quality of their study results...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9940787
- **Project number:** 5P30NR016579-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Todd D Gould
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $105,884
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9940787

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9940787, Model Development and Phenotyping Core (5P30NR016579-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9940787. Licensed CC0.

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