Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Utah received a $454,300 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded June 1, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2031. This research project investigates the genetic and neural circuit mechanisms responsible for the acute-to-chronic pain transition, specifically examining chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP)—a potentially devastating outcome affecting millions of patients annually. The research utilizes consomic rat strains to test the hypothesis that pain facilitatory "on" cells in the rostroventral medulla represent a defining feature of the acute-to-chronic pain transition, with the objective of linking specific genes on Brown Norway chromosomes to ion channel and receptor profiles and physiological pathways that influence mechanical nociceptor thresholds.

This fundamental biomedical research project addresses a significant clinical gap, as current prevention attempts through regional and multimodal analgesia have proven unsuccessful in reducing CPSP incidence. The deliverables include scientific findings that will enhance understanding of mechanisms driving chronic pain development and identification of potential intervention points for prevention and treatment strategies. Research will be conducted at the University of Utah's Salt Lake City facility under the NIGMS program, which supports investigator-initiated basic research that establishes foundational knowledge for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.