Nathan A. Baertsch, Ph.D. - US grants
Affiliations: | 2014 | Comparative Biomedical Science | University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI |
Area:
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The funding information displayed below comes from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools and the NSF Award Database.The grant data on this page is limited to grants awarded in the United States and is thus partial. It can nonetheless be used to understand how funding patterns influence mentorship networks and vice-versa, which has deep implications on how research is done.
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High-probability grants
According to our matching algorithm, Nathan A. Baertsch is the likely recipient of the following grants.| Years | Recipients | Code | Title / Keywords | Matching score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 — 2018 | Baertsch, Nathan Andrew | F32Activity Code Description: To provide postdoctoral research training to individuals to broaden their scientific background and extend their potential for research in specified health-related areas. |
The Role of Dbx1-Derived Medullary Neurons For Rhythm Generation in the Intact Respiratory Network @ Seattle Children's Hospital 1: PROJECT SUMMARY Breathing is a complex behavior that is fundamental for life in all mammals. Disturbances in the function and coordination of breathing are common in many disorders of the central nervous system. Thus, the study of specific neural populations that underlie this behavior is not only of great basic science interest, but holds high clinical significance. Lesion experiments and in-vitro studies using transverse brainstem slices have defined the minimal circuitry that is necessary and sufficient for the inspiratory phase of breathing, a small ?kernel? of neurons in the ventrolateral medulla termed the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC). Excitatory neurons derived from cells expressing the transcription factor Dbx1 are thought to form the rhythmogenic ?core? of the preBötC. However, a ?refractory period? for Dbx1 stimulation following each breath limits the ability these neurons to drive a high frequency rhythm in-vitro. The role of this specific population of neurons in controlling the wide range of breathing frequencies common in-vivo is unknown. In this project we will use novel in-vivo and in-vitro approaches conducted in parallel to investigate the role of Dbx1 neurons in the generation of inspiration when embedded in the wider medullary network. Based on our preliminary data, we hypothesize that the inspiratory neural network functions as a distributed column, and is not limited to a defined ?core? region. Inhibition of excitatory Dbx1 neurons effectively drives the inspiratory rhythm through post-inhibitory rebound. And, the refractory period for Dbx1 can be reduced in the distributed inspiratory network to allow faster breathing frequencies by modulating mechanisms of short-term synaptic depression. These hypotheses will be tested using powerful optogenetic, electrophysiological, pharmacological and imaging techniques in anesthetized and freely behaving mice (Aim1) and in a novel horizontal brainstem slice preparation that preserves the wider medullary network bilaterally (Aim2). We expect that integration of these preparations will provide a unique perspective to examine issues that remain unresolved in the field of respiratory rhythm generation. |
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| 2019 — 2021 | Baertsch, Nathan Andrew | K99Activity Code Description: To support the initial phase of a Career/Research Transition award program that provides 1-2 years of mentored support for highly motivated, advanced postdoctoral research scientists. R00Activity Code Description: To support the second phase of a Career/Research Transition award program that provides 1 -3 years of independent research support (R00) contingent on securing an independent research position. Award recipients will be expected to compete successfully for independent R01 support from the NIH during the R00 research transition award period. |
Homeostatic Plasticity of the Respiratory Rhythm Generating Network @ Seattle Children's Hospital PROJECT SUMMARY This career development award will allow the Candidate, Dr. Nathan Baertsch, to establish an independent research career focused on unravelling how the brain adapts to maintain breathing during disease. The training plan outlined in this award combined with the Candidate?s background in motor plasticity, respiratory physiology and rhythm generation make him ideally suited to successfully follow this career development path. The breathing rhythm is generated by periodic synchronization of excitatory interneurons in the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC). The search for the essential rhythmogenic mechanism has been a central question in the control of breathing field for over two decades. Although this search has revealed many important discoveries, it has overlooked perhaps one of the most fundamental characteristics of the network ? its ability to adapt. The amount of synchronization among preBötC neurons is not fixed, but depends on a dynamic interplay between excitatory and inhibitory connections, and the intrinsic membrane properties of preBötC neurons. How this life- sustaining neural network regulates this precise balance of synaptic and intrinsic properties to ensure breathing remains robust is not well understood. Based on preliminary data, we hypothesize that the distribution of the network generating inspiration is adaptable, and the balance between synaptic excitation, inhibition, and intrinsic bursting properties can be homeostatically tuned to compensate for chronic perturbations that threaten rhythmogenesis and breathing. This project will build on the candidate?s prior training in electrophysiology, pharmacology, and optogenetics by introducing state-of-the-art chemogenetic, imaging, and molecular techniques. Combining these strategies will allow the Candidate to use a multi-level approach to characterize changes in the distribution of inspiratory activity (Aim1) and identify changes in synaptic and intrinsic properties (Aim2) in the preBötC following chronic disruptions in neuronal activity. These in vitro experiments using a novel brainstem slice preparation will be complemented with in vivo experiments to explore how breathing adapts to chronic suppression of preBötC activity in the intact animal (Aim3). To help the Candidate achieve the research and career development goals of this proposal, he will receive strong mentorship from Dr. Nino Ramirez, a leader in respiratory rhythm generation with a successful mentoring track- record. The Candidate will also receive research and career development support from an advisory committee of established professors and former K-awardees that have transitioned to independence. These PIs all work closely with the Candidate and are experts in the chemogenetic, imaging, and molecular techniques that will be training components of this proposal. With full institutional support and the additional training, mentorship, and experience that this K-award will provide, the Candidate will be well positioned to successfully compete for R01-funding and establish an impactful independent research program. |
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