Research & Projects

We use approaches in advanced optical imaging/optogenetics, molecular genetics, functional anatomy, electrophysiology, and closed-loop/freely-moving mouse behavior to comprehensively understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying somatosensation.

 

We are interested to understand the neural circuits underlying information coding, from the earliest sensory transduction at the peripheral organ all the way to the sophisticated cortical computation.

 

Our laboratory will investigate the neural underpinnings of touch, pain and related affective aspects in the brainstem, and will reverse engineer it to develop sensory neuroprostheses and potentially, an affective brain–machine interface for pain management and mood regulation

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Project 1: Probe the complex process of mechanotransduction at the physiological site in vivo 

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Project 2: Investigate the brainstem circuits involved in the integration of somatosensation 

 

Project 3: Develop the brainstem stimulation as a novel solution for somatosensory neuroprosthesis

 

Project 4: Brain–machine interface on brainstem networks for pain and mood regulation ​

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Emerging Research Directions

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In addition to our core focus on somatosensory processing and neuroprosthetics, our lab is expanding into several exciting new areas at the interface of systems neuroscience, immunology, and computational modeling:

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• Neuroimmunology Underlying Migraine: We investigate how immune signaling and neuroinflammatory processes contribute to migraine pathophysiology.

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• Neuro-Glial-Immune Interactions: We study the dynamic interplay between neurons, glia, and immune cells across health and disease states, aiming to uncover how these cellular networks regulate sensory and affective processing.
   

• Neurophysiology in Cephalopods: We explore the evolution and function of complex nervous systems by examining sensorimotor coding and neural architecture in cuttlefish and other cephalopods.
   

• Biomechanical Modeling and Simulation: Using finite element modeling and data-driven simulations, we analyze the mechanical properties and functional morphology of specialized sensory structures.
   

• Neural Coding and Circuits for Proprioception: We aim to unravel how proprioceptive signals are encoded and integrated across the peripheral and central nervous system, from mechanoreceptors to brainstem and cortex.
   

These multidisciplinary efforts reflect our broader goal: to understand how the nervous system builds internal models of the body and environment, and how this knowledge can inform future diagnostics and neuromodulatory interventions.

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