Chicago Center on Musculoskeletal Pain (C-COMP) (Overall Application)

Project summary We seek to establish a new resource-based Center to foster and support research and training aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying pain associated with musculoskeletal (MSK) and rheumatic diseases, with the ultimate goal of better managing and preventing it. One third of the world’s population is affected by

chronic pain, and the MSK system is the most prevalent source of pain and disability. Currently available analgesic drugs act on a limited number of targets, and they do not provide sustained pain relief and their chronic use is associated with serious adverse effects. One of the major obstacles in identifying safe and efficacious

drugs for producing pain relief is our general lack of understanding of the mechanisms underlying MSK pain, and how these mechanisms may overlap or differ between different types of rheumatic and MSK diseases. The Chicago Center on Musculoskeletal Pain (C-COMP) will address this need in a timely and unique manner,

capitalizing on the world class expertise that is available to us in the areas of MSK research, pain and neurobiology to achieve the following broad long-term goals: (1) To integrate basic, translational and clinical expertise in a multidisciplinary Center which will provide the leadership and resources for promoting MSK pain

research; (2) To enhance the research environment for the MSK research community by providing access to world-class expertise and state-of-the-art resources, technologies, and infrastructure for studying pain; (3) To promote interdisciplinary research between the MSK research field and the field of pain/neuroscience; (4) To

expand the MSK pain research community by attracting early career as well as established researchers into this area of study. We envision three Cores operating in support of these overall goals. The Administrative Core A (PI: A.M. Malfait; co-director: J.J. Jacobs) will provide leadership, maintain effective communication, partner with

related Centers to stimulate human translation of findings, and implement a dynamic enrichment program. The Behavioral Resource Core B (PI: R.E. Miller; co-director: D.R. Sumner) will provide a centralized resource to facilitate behavioral assays in a broad array of animal models of rheumatic and MSK diseases, including training

for behavioral tests, access to customized protocols, equipment, and space to perform testing, a consultation service and a customized, full-service option for behavioral testing. The Neurobiology Core C (PI: RJ Miller; co- director: D.R. Sumner) will offer state-of-the-art techniques for assessment and manipulation of neuronal circuitry

involved in pain physiology, such as in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, chemo/optogenetics, transcriptomics/bioinformatics and neuroanatomical techniques. This will allow the Center’s research community to engage in cutting-edge investigations of the mechanisms of pain in animal models of MSK disease. In

summary, C-COMP will provide (1) unique resources and infrastructure for supporting high-quality externally funded research and (2) pilot funding, education, and training in a multidisciplinary and collaborative fashion. This integrated approach is expected to accelerate research in pain associated with MSK and rheumatic disease.