Diversity Supplement to R01 DC018042

PROJECT SUMMARY Chemosensory dysfunction negatively affects human health; severe chemosensory loss leads to malnutrition, weight loss, and depression. Taste disorders can develop with various diseases, including many with underlying inflammation. The prevalence of taste dysfunction in individuals with inflammation caused by infections and autoimmune diseases is well-documented, but the mechanisms supporting these phenomena are not. To underscore the importance of research investigating the link between inflammation, disease, and taste loss, a considerable number of COVID-19 patients experience taste dysfunction. Although most cases of taste loss are temporary, including taste loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, long-term taste loss can occur in some patients. Currently we know little about the mechanisms of long-term chemosensory loss and there is no effective treatment for chemosensory loss. This project will investigate the role of inflammation, particularly through the action of the inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), in taste loss using both a transgenic approach and a clinically relevant respiratory viral infection model. We will then use these taste loss models to study the mechanisms of taste bud regeneration. This diversity supplement seeks funds to enable Mr. Elias Mimouni, a Black U.S. citizen with chemistry and data science background, to learn research techniques in the chemosensory field and gain research experience investigating chemosensory disorders. Mr. Mimouni is currently finishing a Master’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania while gaining research experience as a Visiting Student supported by a private funding in the Wang lab at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. His career goal is to go to medical school and ultimately become a physician scientist. We are seeking funding to support Mr. Mimouni as a post-baccalaureate trainee so that he can receive advanced training and contribute at a higher level to an NIH-funded chemosensory research project. To this end, we have carefully constructed a training plan that will facilitate Mr. Mimouni’s technical, intellectual, and career development.