Clinician Scientist Selection Symposium: New Fellows Selected for the 2nd Funding Period
Clinical Research Unit KFO5001 – ResolvePAIN
Peripheral Mechanisms of Pain and Their Resolution
This is the central question guiding the Clinical Research Unit KFO5001 (ResolvePAIN). Chronic pain affects nearly 20% of the population and can have profound consequences for quality of life, recovery, and mental health. Yet, the biological mechanisms behind pain resolution remain poorly understood.
Our Approach
ResolvePAIN is an interdisciplinary research consortium based at the University Hospital Würzburg. It brings together clinical and basic scientists from neurology, anaesthesiology, neuroradiology, internal medicine, psychiatry, neurobiology, physiology, and molecular medicine.
By integrating clinical cohorts, patient-derived cell models, preclinical rodent studies and studies in Drosophila we aim to uncover the biological processes that govern pain resolution.
Key Findings from the First Funding Period
In its first phase, ResolvePAIN identified several crucial contributors to pain resolution:
- Ion channels regulating nerve excitability
- Sex-specific neuroimmune interactions involving macrophages and neutrophils as well as selected cytokines
- Repair mechanisms of protective nerve barriers
- High resolution imaging and AI-based analyses
- Transcriptomic and metabolic profiles linked to recovery
- MRI-based imaging of the dorsal root ganglion for diagnostics and prediction
Focus in the Second Funding Period
We now refined our focus on five pain conditions with neuropathic symptoms and the potential for spontaneous resolution:
- Bortezomib-induced polyneuropathy (BIPN)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Autoimmune neuropathies with Caspr2 antibodies
- Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)
- Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after abdominal hernia repair and inflammatory bowel disease
We investigate both shared and disease-specific mechanisms across these disorders, aiming to identify biomarkers and intervention targets.
Methods and Innovation
Our consortium employs a wide range of advanced technologies:
- Deep phenotyping of longitudinal clinical cohorts including ecological momentary assessments
- Microneurography to measure nerve excitability
- Spatial transcriptomics and axonal proteomics
- Optogenetics, circuitry tracing, and in vivo electrophysiology
- High/Super resolution imaging and AI-based analyses
- High-resolution MR neurography as well as 3 and 7 T functional brain imaging
- Multicellular rodent and patient-derived human disease models for nerve-barrier and immune-neuron interaction
We place special emphasis on the crosstalk between peripheral and central nervous systems, and on the influence of systemic immune activity and psychosocial resilience.
Training and Collaboration
ResolvePAIN is committed to nurturing the next generation of pain researchers. We offer structured programs for Clinician Scientists and Medical Scientists and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration among early-career researchers.
