Posted on February 14, 2024
A groundbreaking study at the University of Texas at Austin, highlighted by NIH Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, has brought new hope to the treatment of neuropathic pain, thanks to the utilization of KOMP (Knockout Mouse Project) mice modified by the Mouse Biology Program at UC Davis. This NIH-funded research has identified a novel molecule that targets a protein involved in the transmission of neuropathic pain, offering a potential new pathway for therapeutic intervention.
The study’s focus on a molecule that can bind to and modulate a protein implicated in neuropathic pain—pain resulting from damage to the nervous system—represents a significant advance in understanding and treating this complex condition. The KOMP mice, specifically engineered for such scientific investigations, were instrumental in the research, providing a crucial model for studying neuropathic pain’s molecular and genetic underpinnings.
Dr. Bertagnolli lauded the efforts of the researchers and the role of mouse models in the discovery. It is NIH funding that provided support in the creation of this knockout mouse model, and while not highlighted in Dr. Bertagnolli’s post, it serves the purpose of the vital work done at the Mouse Biology Program and our support services for researchers and importance in scientific discoveries.
The NIH Director’s Tweet about the research is found here:
