The spinal cord contains stem cells whose number decreases with developmental age, as it gets progressively restricted to in the central canal. Signalling in the spinal cord is plastic and can change in response to different stimuli such as pain, suggesting that the stem cells maybe involved in remodelling, changing spinal response. In order to assess whether spinal stem cells are affected by sustained pain states, the project will compare the number, distribution and marker expression of stem cells in the spinal cord of animals from control or chronic pain models. Advanced tissue analysis techniques will be used to map, monitor and characterise spinal cord stem cells in a model mouse model benefiting from a fluorescent marker specific to stem cells. This project will provide original information on the nature and regulation of stem cells present in the spinal cord, a key signalling centre in pain. The spinal cord plays many roles in sensation, and transfers the signal of pain from the body to the brain. Recently, it was shown that the spinal cord contains a small proportion of stem cells, which are still poorly identified. Stem cells found in other parts of the nervous system are able to produce new brain cells throughout life, however it is not clear whether the stem cells found in the spinal cord are also able to generate new spinal cells. It is also not clear whether the experience of prolonged pain can cause changes the spinal cord and affect the stem cells. During this project, I will learn advanced microscopy techniques that will be used for the observation and mapping of the stem cells in the mouse spinal cord. By comparing samples before and after the experience of chronic pain, this project will address the important question of whether prolonged pain can alter the stem cells present in the spinal cord.