Molecular mechanisms of blast and blunt injury in a novel 3D bioengineered brain-like tissue

This $2,696,634 Cooperative Agreement award, granted by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences under the Uniformed Services University Medical Research Projects program (CFDA 12.750), supports a research project to utilize a novel 3D human brain-like tissue model to investigate the distinct pathological mechanisms triggered by blast and blunt traumatic brain injuries.

The primary research objectives are to characterize alterations in mitochondrial dysfunction, axonal structural and functional deficits, and inflammatory changes in response to different types of blast injuries. The prime recipient, The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., will collaborate with a sub-awardee, the University of Cincinnati, to address specific research questions related to glycolytic changes, axonal microtubule structure, and inflammatory cell responses after blunt injury. This multi-year award, which commenced on September 15, 2024, aims to improve understanding of the molecular and structural alterations underlying blast and blunt brain trauma to support improved medical countermeasures and treatment interventions for military personnel.