Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), said that by fostering interaction between basic and clinical scientists and enhancing collaboration between UMSOM and scientists, Announced plans to launch a new neuroscience lab to accelerate translational research on the brain. Other schools on the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) campus.
Called the University of Maryland Medical Institute (UM-MIND), the lab is built on the vision of a former UMSOM dean. E. Albert Reese, MD, PhD, MBAAlthough he supported the idea of a new brain research institute, he resigned as dean in August and returned to the UMSOM faculty.
The institute will recruit new talent to the campus, leverage UMSOM’s more than 120 leading neuroscientists under one umbrella, and enhance the excellence of UMSOM’s basic and clinical sciences research portfolio.
(Clockwise from top left) Mark T. Gladwin, E. Albert Reece, Margaret McCarthy, Graeme Woodworth, Peter B. Crino, Victoria Marchese, Jill RachBeisel, Asaf Keller
urgent business
“There is an urgent need for a better understanding of how the brain develops, ages and responds to inflammation and trauma,” said At UMSOM. millions of Americans and is one of the major intergenerational challenges associated with the aging of the world’s population.
“Our institution has tremendous strength in neuroscience, with faculty scientists across academic departments, centers, laboratories, and programs. Now is the time to accelerate the discovery and translation of new therapeutics.” It is an ideal time for partnerships between these entities in brain science research, with the goal of providing patients with new hope.”
UMSOM currently provides over $65 million in research funding for neuroscience research projects. Overall, UMB spends about $107 million on brain research, but the research is spread across several schools, centers, and departments.
partnership and collaboration
Funding to support UM-MIND was provided through partnerships between Gladwin and the following department heads: Dr. Victoria Marchese, PTJane Crow Satterfield Professor and Chair of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation; Peter Crino, MD, PhDDr. Richard and Catherine Taylor Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology. Graham Woodworth, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery.When Jill Lacweisel, M.D.Dr. Irving J. Taylor Professor and Chair of Psychiatry.
“If we can create cohesive structures and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration in this important area of scientific research, the depth and breadth of our outstanding faculty will allow us to have national and international impact. and have a great opportunity to raise the bar of excellence to the world.The next level, said Dr. Margaret McCarthyJames & Carolyn Frenkill Endowed Dean Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacologywas named by Gladwin as director of UM-MIND.
“Advancements in brain imaging, neural network analysis, genetics, and brain-computer interface technology have opened up exciting opportunities to study and apply new information relevant to difficult-to-treat neurological conditions. For certain medical conditions, such as traumatic brain injury and glioblastoma, little, if any, progress has been made in the last 20 years,” said Woodworth. “This is an exciting time to integrate the latest advances and bring together a multidisciplinary neuroscience team at UM-MIND that will accelerate the discovery of new treatments and bring new hope to patients.” increase.”
The collaboration and leadership of the additional UMSOM Chairs and Program Directors (all neuroscientists) were integral to the formation of UM-MIND. Elias Mehem, MD, Dean John M. Dennis, Chair of the Department of Radiology.When Dr. Asaf KellerDean Donald E. Wilson, MD, MACP, Professor and Chair of Anatomy and Neurobiology.
UM-MIND leverages partnerships with programs from neighboring agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC); University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The University of Maryland, College Park furthers collaborative research and educational opportunities in brain science.
Keller commented: The Institute is the linchpin for carrying out these initiatives and helps raise the bar for excellence and discovery. “
Three Pillars of Focus
UM-MIND focuses on three pillars: brain development, aging and cognition, and brain injury and disease.
“In determining the three tracts, we examined existing strengths and limitations, and where the future of neuroscience is headed.” We have strengths and strengths in the areas of trauma and brain tumors, and we see great potential and importance in building this area in the area of aging and cognition in diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. ”
The first pillar of brain development explores how the brain forms in the mother’s womb, genetics, epigenetics, and how sex and gender play a role in this development, and how these Learn what happens when the process goes wrong and leads to neurodevelopmental disorders. autism or schizophrenia.
RachBeisel says: “More than 53 million Americans, adults and adolescents have experienced a mental illness or substance use disorder in the past year, and understanding the causes and finding effective treatments is critical to our nation’s health and future. UM-MIND is dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of such devastating diseases through a highly collaborative approach among neuroscientific professionals, and to developing a global understanding and approach to effective care. strengthen and create opportunities to improve the quality of life around the world.”
The second pillar of Aging and Cognition focuses on healthy aging of the brain and age-related neurodegenerative disorders that disrupt cognition and movement, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This research pillar includes research into addiction and new fast-acting substances. antidepressantssleep, motor control, and neurodegenerative disorders.
“UM-MIND is an exciting new initiative that bridges collaborations and provides an opportunity to advance research investigating the motor mechanisms of the brain that contribute to motor dysfunction,” said Marchese.
The third pillar of Brain Injury and Disease includes research into brain tumors such as neuroblastoma and glioblastoma, traumatic brain injury and stroke. These studies focus on early severe inflammation immediately after injury and how long-term damage occurs after the transition to chronic inflammation.
“UM-MIND is a clinical and translational neuroscience program focused on many devastating neurological disorders, including stroke, dementia, autism, brain tumors, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy,” Kurino said. It will greatly facilitate collaborative campus research in science,” he added.
With funding from the National Institutes of Health, UM-MIND is committed to strengthening efforts to recruit and train junior faculty from underrepresented groups in biomedical sciences. first grant Institutes can recruit additional faculty members who can strengthen research in key areas that are currently underrepresented.
