The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded a $625,060 Project Grant under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to The Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. This 5-year grant project, starting on Aug 20, 2024, aims to elucidate the roles of distinct spinal cord cell types in mediating interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS). The research will use chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches to determine how cystitis-activated spinal cord cells contribute to bladder nociception and micturition dysfunction. The project will also characterize the molecular profiles of these genetically classified spinal cell populations through transcriptomics and in situ hybridization. This research is expected to advance the understanding of spinal cord circuits in cystitis and potentially enable the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating IC/BPS.
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