Research & Projects
Understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying somatosensation
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
Project 1: Probe the complex process of mechanotransduction at the physiological site in vivo
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
