Somatosensory Neurons and the Neural Circuits Connecting the Body and the Brain

Our research explores the properties and functions of somatosensory neurons and the functional organization of the subcortical somatosensory circuitry and the neural encoding of touch and pain.

How are external stimuli such as tactile, thermal and pain signals processed by the spinal cord and broadcast to higher order brain areas that drive perception?

We do not yet understand how tactile, thermal, and pain signals are processed in the spinal cord and brainstem and broadcast to the higher brain regions for perception. We know even less about pain processing from internal organs. We are generating a comprehensive set of genetic tools to study somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors (pain sensing neurons), as well as spinal cord and brainstem interneurons and projection neurons.

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Using our unique and powerful “somatosensory genetic toolbox” in conjunction we seek to explain how touch and pain signals are initiated in internal organs and skin and conveyed to, and processes within, the spinal cord of the brainstem.

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How is pain processed from internal organs to be perceived by the brain?

Our approach centers on identifying gene regulatory elements that provide highly specific genetic access to pain-sensing neurons. By genetically targeting only pain neurons, we aim to overcome the challenges facing pharmacological treatments. It is our hope that this level of precision will aid in the development of effective therapies to treat chronic pain and other sensory disorders.

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