MINUS PAIN

TRANSLATIONAL PAIN RESEARCH

A CULTURED SPINAL CORD NEURON. NUCLEAR (BLUE), CYTOSKELETON (RED) AND GLYCINE RECEPTOR (GREEN) INMUNOSTAININGS ARE SHOWN. (CREDIT. NEUROPHARMACOLOGY LAB, UDEC)

PATCH-CLAMP RECORDING SETUP AND ACTIVATION OF LIGHT-SENSITIVE PROTEINS USING 470 nm ILLUMINATION

We are excited to announce the first edition of the Latin American Pain School (LAPS)!!!!

LAPS 2024 will be a two day theoretical and practical course held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) in Santiago, Chile.

LAPS will focus on basic science and clinical topics related to acute and chronic pain, with an interdisciplinary perspective and a distinct research orientation.

LAPS is aimed at young scientists at the PhD or postdoctoral level (or equivalent) in all fields of pain science and pain medicine.

More information at: https://minuspain.cl/1st-latin-american-pain-school/

Instagram: @LAPS.2024

Link for application: LAPS application

CHECK OUT THE FEATURED PAPER OF THE WEEK

RESEARCHERS

5 Principal Investigators, 2 Adjunct Investigators, 2 International Senior Members, 2 Junior Investigators

PUBLICATIONS since 2021

MILLENNIUM NUCLEUS FOR THE STUDY OF PAIN

We are a scientific consortium dedicated to investigate in translational neuroscience of pain. We aim at training advanced human capital in scientific and clinical area.

Our Millennium Nucleus MiNuSPain includes five research laboratories whose competences range from cutting-edge biomedical research to clinical studies. MiNusPain collaborations are reflected in associative projects, publications, international conferences and co-supervision of trainees.

Our work has a translational approach from the bedside to the bench and back, a concept that illustrates the path along which our lines of research progress collaboratively, ranging from biomedical science to patients. We are focused on investigating key molecular determinants involved in neuropathic pain. In particular, we will focus on the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms in preclinical and clinical models.

Photomicroscopy of a skin sample showing C fibres crossing toward the epidermis (PGP9.5 in red, DAPI in blue)

WHAT IS NEUROPHATIC PAIN?

It is defined as pain caused by an illness that affects the somatosensory nervous system.

 

Neuropathic pain affects about 7 to 10% of the world population. Neuropathic pain is disabling and produces a great socioeconomic cost. Therefore, it has become a priority public health problem.

Currently, treatments for neuropathic pain are poorly tolerated and their efficacy is poor. The opioid epidemic has shown us that the effect of long term use of these medications can be a real problem. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular bases of neuropathic pain will provide fundamental keys to recognize new pharmacological targets for treatment.

Photomicroscopy of a spinal ganglion growing in vitro (credit: Paula Diaz). 4th place Contest Nikon Small World

RESEARCH TARGETS

We will focus on the unbalance of excitatory and inhibitory molecular entities underlying altered sensory transduction and excitability of sensory neurons, as key determinants of neuropathic pain.