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NeuralCODR Crosses Gaps between Systems
Neuroscience fellows study connections between the central nervous system and organs A new Houston Methodist postdoctoral fellowship training program, Neural Control of Organ Degeneration and Regeneration (NeuralCODR), is designed to address gaps in mapping and studying how the central nervous system communicates with organ systems throughout the body. by Laura Niles NeuralCODR was conceived by Philip Horner, PhD, and a team of faculty that understands the value of collaboration across disciplines. They come from institutions across the Texas Medical Center, including Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Two postdoctoral fellows have already begun learning firsthand about the distinctive opportunity to collaborate with clinicians and help provide clinical solutions based on their research experience. The year-long program includes a course of the participant’s choosing based on their research interests, a clinical rotation, a case report and other components. Caroline Cvetkovic, PhD, is working in the Krencik Lab to study the relationship between astrocytes and neurons in the brain. She is developing human stem-cell derived 3D neural tissue cultures, used to study various aspects of development and degeneration, to gain insight into potential regenerative clinical therapies. Secondarily, she has developed an early model system of bowel organoids with innervation by human-derived neurons. With her background in developing smart bioengineered materials,
Caroline Cvetkovic, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Krencik Lab, studies the relationship between astrocytes and neurons in the brain.
she was determined that the projects she worked on have a significant impact in the near term. After taking an NIH course on translational research and understanding the direct application her postdoctoral work could have at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, Cvetkovic applied for the fellowship. “As part of the NeuralCODR program, we have access to unique resources, like grand rounds and direct interaction with and advisement from neurosurgeons,” said Cvetkovic. The NeuralCODR training allows her to collaborate directly with clinicians, researchers and patients to learn about actual patient needs and the clinical limitations when addressing them. Cvetkovic’s clinical mentor is Gavin W. Britz, MD, MPH, MBA, FAANS.
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