A new research institute at UNT Health Fort Worth will bring scientists together to study how diseases impact human sensory systems.
Scientists from across the school as well as new researchers will explore how the brain and other organs communicate and work together within the body as part of the new Sensory Research Institute, said Dimitrios Karamichos, vice president for UNT Health’s research and graduate studies.
“For the local economy of the DFW area, this is an opportunity for this institute to become a hub for health innovation and attract the talents that we’d like to have in the region,” he said.
A research institute is a cluster of researchers working on the same topic. Current UNT Health institutes focus on eye health, identification of human remains, health disparities and brain health.
Karamichos said conditions that could be studied include neurodegenerative diseases. These are characterized by a gradual destruction of parts of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Autism, which can impact how a person experiences sensory input, is also a potential topic of study.
“The whole idea is to break down the so-called silos by bringing together experts from a variety of backgrounds — neurosciences, behavioral health, clinical research and possibly engineers or bioengineers — to tackle specific diseases or human health problems,” Karamichos said.
If scientists can map out how the body and its systems work when they receive sensory input, this knowledge can drive the development of treatments that reach patients at their bedsides, he added.
“I strongly believe this is the intersection of biology and innovation,” Karamichos said.
McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.
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