Investigating Central Mechanisms Augmenting the Development of Post-Menopausal Hypertension

DATE: APRIL 2019
Des Moines University | Biochemistry and Nutrition
Maria Barnes, Assistant Professor

My laboratory investigates central mechanisms which augments the development of post-menopausal hypertension. One approach we would like to use to investigate this topic is by using animal models (i.e. flox/flox mice) in which we can excise different receptors in the brain by injecting a CRE virus. The Neuros Syringe by Hamilton will be ideal in helping us achieve this goal. Based off of its' description, the Neuros were "developed specifically for neuroscience applications, the Neuros enables the delivery of microvolumes to an exact location while minimizing injection site damage". This is very important to the application we will use the Neuros. After injecting the virus int the brain, the animals will be allowed to recover and we will measure blood pressure several weeks post-surgery to identify the effect of excising different receptor populations. Having a syringe that we can use to inject virus into the brain and have minimum damage would be extremely valuable.

I am an Assistant Professor at Des Moines University (DMU). DMU is the second oldest osteopathic medical school in the United States. In addition to being a medical school, DMU have a masters of science program in biomedical science and anatomy, podiatry college, and physical therapy college. I have been fortunate that since my arrival at DMU, students from across campus have consistently worked in my laboratory. Neuroscience research, as it relates to microinjection into the brain, can be difficult. However, when students have the patient to learn the technique, I'm excited for the opportunity to teach them how. I anticipate that an average of 1-2 students will use the Neuros Syringe in my laboratory each year. The project that the students will use the Neuros Syringes started approximately 2 years ago in my laboratory. I began investigating post-menopausal hypertension. Thus far, I've collected exciting data that are being prepared for publication. However, to expand these studies, I must incorporate techniques in which I'm using animal models such as the flox/flox mice to excise different receptor population within different locales in the brain. Accomplishing this task will allow me to identify the significance of the receptor population and the locale in the brain that contributes to the hypertension that develops during post-menopause. The products that I will receive from this grant application will play an essential role in me achieving this goal. Achieving this goal, will allow me to generate data that will be an essential part of my grant application that I plan to submit this year.

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