{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101699"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101699","attributes":{"code":"DE260101699","administering-organisation":"Monash University","announcement-administering-organisation":"Monash University","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2027-04-19","anticipated-end-date":"2030-04-18","grant-summary":"Unveiling Myeloid Cells as Regulators of Nerve Innervation in Tissue Repair. The mechanisms that regulate peripheral tissue healing are not yet fully understood. My recent research, published in Nature in 2024, discovered that a neuro-immune axis plays a critical role in controlling skin and muscle healing in normal mice after injury. I found that nociceptor sensory nerve endings grow and infiltrate the tissue injury site and release neuropeptides, promoting tissue repair by locally regulating immune cells. These findings underscore the importance of nociceptor activation in skin and muscle healing. In this proposal, I aim to investigate how nociceptors are initially activated and regulated in injured skin and muscle, and how these mechanisms contribute to the regulation of tissue healing.","funding-current":534117.00,"funding-at-announcement":529878,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Yen-Zhen","familyName":"Lu","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0003-4262-3436 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Yen-Zhen","familyName":"Lu","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0003-4262-3436 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Monash University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"Monash University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"320404","name":"Cellular Immunology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3206","name":"Medical Biotechnology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"320606","name":"Regenerative Medicine (Incl. Stem Cells)","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"320902","name":"Cellular Nervous System","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"280102","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Biological Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["Taiwan"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"This project aims to explore how immune cells regulate neurons during tissue healing in a normal mouse model. Using mouse skin and muscle injury models, I will investigate how myeloid cells behave post-injury and how they activate sensory nociceptors to control tissue healing. The results will improve our understanding of tissue healing as an inherent biological process in mammals, such as humans, and may apply to research in different species. Moreover, since tissue healing declines with age in mammals, including humans, exploring immune-neuron interactions could provide insights into the normal aging process. As Australia faces the challenge of an aging population, this research could support the healthcare system and improve the wellbeing of elderly Australians by reducing healthcare costs and promoting health initiatives. Moreover, the findings from this proposal will enable me toI collaborate with industry partners, government agencies, and healthcare organisations to explore their biological significance, such as regulatory mechanisms in tissue healing during aging. The research outcomes from this proposal will be promoted through scientific conferences, government briefings, and public health forums, strengthening Australia’s reputation in this field and attracting international collaborations in academia and industry. Lastly, this knowledge is expected to inspire the next generation of scientists in Australia, advancing future biological research."}}}