Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Brigham Young University received a $550,159 Project Grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853), awarded on June 2, 2026, with completion targeted for May 31, 2029. The award funds fundamental neuroscience research investigating the molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain neuronal cell identity and connectivity, specifically examining the role of the MAB-5 (a Hox transcription factor) in generating transcriptional and functional distinctions between paired neurons derived from the Q neuroblasts in Caenorhabditis elegans. The research will elucidate how MAB-5 controls differential gene expression patterns, neuropeptide expression, and synaptic connectivity between left and right neuronal pairs (AQR/PQR, AVM/PVM, and SDQL/SDQR), providing insights into fundamental mechanisms of neuronal differentiation and identity maintenance.

The project directly supports NINDS's core mission to reduce the burden of neurological disease through basic research exploring fundamental brain and nervous system structure and function. Research outcomes will advance understanding of how transcription factors regulate neural circuit development and may inform therapeutic approaches for neurological conditions characterized by disrupted neuronal identity or connectivity. The research will be conducted at BYU's Provo, Utah facility.