We are thrilled to announce several significant funding awards secured by our RARC researchers, highlighting their groundbreaking work in the field of addiction research. Congratulations to Ying-Xian Pan, Samie Jaffrey, and Ayma Malik on these impressive achievements! Their innovative research continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of opioid mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.
NIH NIDA R01 DA059544-01A1
Principal Investigators: Ying-Xian Pan (Contact PI) and Samie Jaffrey
Project Title: Molecular mechanisms and functions underlying the role of Fto in mu opioid actions
Major Goals: This project aims to investigate the mechanisms and functions of Fto, an RNA demethylase, in mediating mu opioid tolerance and reward using multidisciplinary approaches.
Funding Period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2029
Total Award Amount: $3,607,567.00
NIH NIDA F31 DA060029-01A1
Principal Investigator: Ayma Malik
Project Title: Exploring the role of alternatively spliced variants of the mu opioid receptor gene, Oprm1, in opioid-induced respiratory depression in gene-targeted rat models
Major Goals: This project investigates the mechanisms underlying mu opioid-induced respiratory depression via Oprm1 splice variants using rat Oprm1 gene targeting models.
Funding Period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2026
Total Award Amount: $88,852.00
Rutgers HealthAdvance HA2024-0075
Principal Investigator: Ying-Xian Pan
Project Title: Mitigating adverse side effects of clinically used mu opioids by targeting exon 7-associated splice variants of the mu opioid receptor gene, OPRM1, via nanobody and antisense oligonucleotide without altering mu opioid analgesia in pain management
Major Goals: The goal of this project is to generate and characterize a nanobody and an antisense oligonucleotide targeting human exon 7, aimed at reducing the adverse effects of mu opioids, thereby laying the groundwork for developing a therapeutic medication that combines mu opioids with nanobody and/or antisense oligonucleotides in pain management.
Funding Period: 05/13/2024 – 11/12/2025
Total Award Amount: $150,000.00