Bando Progetti di Ricerca Giovani Ricercatori – Ricerca Finalizzata 2010 Project Title:Biomolecular and functional analysis of pathogenetic mechanisms of neuropathic pain in genetic and acquired small fibre neuropathies. Project Code:RF-2010-2313899

The aims of the project are to study mechanisms underlying pain transmission in acquired and genetic form of peripheral neuropathy. In this study, the overall goals is to take advantage of a murine model, the GalA knock out mouse (alpha-Gal -/-), in order to verify if the alterations observed in lipid content and composition of the cell membranes of FD mice could be a major factor modulating, directly or indirectly, the ion channel expression/activity and, consequently, nociceptor excitability. The responsibility of Caprini's unit will be the anatomical, molecular, cellular and functional characterization of primary cultures of nociceptor (DRG neurons) from the colony of the murine model.