Research Projects
Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation on Epigenetic Regulation in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☒ MPhil/PhD ☑ MRes[Med] ☒ URIS

Chronic pain is the most common public health problem that interferes with people’s quality of life and affect their sense of identity. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has become a standard of care for people with chronic pain, such as back pain/neck pain, nerve injury caused neuropathic pain; and more trials are undertaking to evaluate its effects on cancer and cancer treatment induced chronic pain. However, the mechanisms underlying SCS for chronic pain remain limited that is worth further investigate.

Objective:

To investigate the therapeutic targets of SCS for neuropathic pain in animal models (e.g. peripheral nerve injury or diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain) through epigenetic regulation to behavioral and molecular markers of pain.

Significance:

The findings in epigenetic regulation of SCS on neuromodulation may help to reveal novel therapeutic targets for chronic pain.

Research Plan and Methodology:

The student(s) will design a research proposal based on the laboratory facility and accomplish this research project under mentor’s supervision through below methodologies:

1. Building up the animal model of neuropathic pain.

2. Behavioral tests to evaluate the development of neuropathic pain after nerve injury.

3. Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator through the well-established surgical procedures and following delivery of stimulation with selected parameters.

4. Using PCR, Western and immunohistochemistry to investigate the changes in molecular and cellular expression after neuropathic pain occurs and SCS application.

Professor CW Cheung, Department of Anaesthesiology

Biography
cheucw@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ Department of Anaesthesiology