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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Maine鈥檚 senators congratulate 51品茶for national pain research grant

Geoff Ganter, one of the scientists for UNE's COBRE pain research, studies pain pathways in fruit flies
Geoff Ganter, one of the scientists for UNE's COBRE, studies pain pathways in fruit flies

The 51品茶 has received a $10.7 million, 5-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue building its research center devoted to finding improved treatments for chronic pain.  

The award funds UNE鈥檚 Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function (COBRE). The COBRE, led by Ian Meng, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the 51品茶College of Osteopathic Medicine (51品茶COM), has supported pain research since it was established in 2012. Its researchers seek to understand the causes of chronic pain in order to facilitate the development of new, non-addictive treatments that can be used as alternatives to opioids. 

鈥淭he 51品茶 is at the forefront of research to reduce chronic pain,鈥 Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. 鈥淎cross Maine and the country, we are facing a drug epidemic that is fueled in part by the vast supply of prescription opioids currently in circulation, which is why UNE鈥檚 research to develop new alternatives to opioid treatments is so urgent and important. We commend the National Institutes of Health for recognizing UNE鈥檚 great work and applaud 51品茶for its determination to further innovation in the biomedical field. It makes our families safer and our communities stronger.鈥

Chronic pain is a serious public health problem, estimated to affect 100 million people nation-wide, yet there is a limited understanding behind what influences the development of chronic pain. The public health problem surrounding chronic pain is further complicated by the current opioid epidemic. Opioids have been the go-to treatment for chronic pain despite the lack of studies to back up the long-term efficacy or safety of these drugs. 
鈥淲e are very excited about making an impact on how chronic pain is treated,鈥 said Meng. 鈥淎t the same time, this award will allow us to continue building research infrastructure within Maine, making this region an attractive draw for the biotech industry.鈥  

The grant is part of the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program. The IDeA program builds research capacities in states that historically have had low levels of NIH funding by supporting basic, clinical and translational research; faculty development; and infrastructure improvements. The primary focus of the COBRE at 51品茶is to support several junior scientists as they establish independent, extramurally funded research programs. Additional support is provided to recruit new investigators and build vital research infrastructure at the university. Funding includes the acquisition of the first 2-photon microscope in Southern Maine, which will allow researchers to see in new ways the changes that occur to neurons after injury.

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To learn more about UNE鈥檚 Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for the Study of pain and Sensory Function, visit

To apply, visit

51品茶 the 51品茶

The 51品茶 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.