PROJECT: JTC 2025 - Pain: SUSEBERI

This project explores the role of gut microbiota in neonatal injury-induced chronic pain, focusing on how early-life microbiota disruptions influence microglial function and neuroimmune pathways. We aim to identify extracellular vesicles (EVs) and miRNAs as key mediators of pain susceptibility, bridging fundamental mechanisms with clinical relevance. Our transdisciplinary approach integrates expertise in microbiome research, neuroimmunology, extracellular vesicle biology, and clinical pain studies. Using cutting-edge preclinical models, microbiome sequencing, and multi-omics EV profiling, we will characterize microbiota alterations following neonatal injury, assess their impact on microglia/macrophages, and validate these findings in chronic pain patients. Key experiments include microbiota transplantation, in vivo pain assessments, and functional analysis of microbiota-derived EVs. Comparative studies across species (Drosophila, mice, and humans) will enhance translational potential. By combining fundamental and clinical research, this collaboration fosters a unique synergy across disciplines, providing a comprehensive understanding of microbiota-microglia interactions in pain chronification. The outcomes could pave the way for microbiota-targeted therapies, EV-based interventions, and neuroimmune modulation strategies, ultimately improving diagnostic and therapeutic options for chronic pain patients.