Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded a $329,000 Project Grant to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York (Health Sciences Division) effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121). This research project investigates the genetic characterization of mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MESV) sensory cells during normal development and in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), with particular focus on understanding the sensory-motor circuit mechanisms that govern the developmental transition from suckling to mastication in early postnatal mammals. The research examines how periodontal pressoreceptors and masseter muscle proprioceptive afferents modulate jaw-closing muscle activity through electrical coupling via gap junctions, and how disruption of these connections contributes to orofacial motor deficits in neurodegenerative disease states.

The award supports fundamental research designed to elucidate developmental mechanisms governing the maturation of cranial sensory-motor circuits essential for proper feeding behavior and nutrient intake. Given that SMA is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality characterized by motor neuron loss and impaired feeding, findings from this investigation are expected to advance understanding of normal orofacial circuit development while providing insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying feeding difficulties in this severe neurodegenerative condition. The project will be conducted at Columbia University's facility in New York, NY.