| NSF Org: |
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 21, 1998 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 31, 2000 |
| Award Number: | 9727724 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Soo-Siang Lim
slim@nsf.gov (703)292-7878 IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 1998 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2002 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $270,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $270,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 1999 = $89,889.00 FY 2000 = $92,546.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
220 ARCH ST OFC LEVEL2 BALTIMORE MD US 21201-1531 (410)706-3559 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
220 ARCH ST OFC LEVEL2 BALTIMORE MD US 21201-1531 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | NEURONAL AND GLIAL MECHANISMS |
| Primary Program Source: |
app-0198 app-0199 |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
IBN 97-27724 ZUFALL An important feature of the nervous system is its ability to receive complex signals and translate some of them into meaningful information, a process that is called information processing. Information processing is not a static process but is highly adaptive; this provides the basis for organisms to change in response to certain stimuli, or -in other words- to learn. Perhaps most critical for this process are proteins termed "ion channels" because they have a pore in the middle that allows certain ions to pass back and forth between inside and outside of the cell. In this project, Dr. Zufall will analyze the properties of a novel class of ion channels and determine their role in neuronal information processing. These ion channels are termed "cyclic nucleotide-gated" (CNG) cation channels because they can be activated by the ubiquitous intracellular messenger molecules cAMP and cGMP ("cations" are positively charged ions). An important property of these channels is that they allow for the entry of Ca2+ into nerve cells which itself acts as an important messenger molecule in neuronal signaling. The general approach being used is to use cultured neurons (neurons grown in a dish) from a specific brain area (the "olfactory bulb") which is critical for the sense of smell, and to probe these neurons with specific markers for CNG channels. The next step will be to apply electrophysiological recording methods and to measure ionic currents through activated CNG channels. This will allow for the characterization of functional properties of CNG channels and determination of their specific roles in neuronal signal transfer. A second goal is to use a microscope capable of detecting Ca2+ fluxes through activated CNG channels. Results from this project will establish the existence and properties of this novel family of ion channels in neurons of the central nervous system and determine their precise role in information processing.
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