Kenneth Miller, PhD

Dr. Miller’s research effort evaluates glutamate metabolism in sensory systems during inflammatory, injury, and pain conditions and, in particular, three areas: 1. Primary sensory neurons under painful, inflammatory and neuropathic conditions. 2. Spinal processing of inflammatory nociceptive information from visceral and somatic structures. 3. Response of neurons to injury and CNS inflammation. He has two US patents (# 7,288,246; #7,504,231) and his team has expertise in enzyme and amino acid analysis (HPLC), histochemistry, quantitative immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, ELISA, electron microscopy, qPCR, and behavioral testing.

Research Opportunities with Dr. Miller

Research Area: Neuroscience, pain, inflammation, infection

Project Title: Glutamate metabolism in sensory systems during pain, injury, and inflammatory conditions

Project Description: My research evaluates glutamate metabolism in sensory systems during pain, injury, and inflammatory conditions. The production and degradation of glutamate, major excitatory neurotransmitter, is poorly understood in the peripheral nervous system. We have made 5 discoveries regarding hypersensitivity of sensory neurons during chronic pain: 1. Glutamate (Glu) release from peripheral nerve terminals contributes to edema and sensitization. 2. During inflammation, neuronal cell bodies have a biphasic temporal alteration in production of glutaminase (GLS1) and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (cAST), enzymes for Glu synthesis. 3. Increased amounts of GLS1 and cAST, shipped to peripheral terminals, elevate production and release of Glu producing persistent sensitization of primary sensory neurons, i.e., increased pain. 4. Inhibition of peripheral Glu production reduces inflammation and gives pain relief. 5. Nerve growth factor (NGF), produced from the inflammatory site, is responsible for acute and long-term alterations that occur in DRG neurons.

Currently Seeking Students: Yes

Time Commitment: 8 hours per week

Possible Coauthorship: Yes

Compensation: Unpaid

Location: OSU-CHS