Research

Work in my laboratory is primarily directed to elucidating glia-neuron interactions in the spinal cord and brain and to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain and itch signaling (in particular pathological chronic pain and itch). Our work employs several cutting-edge genetic tools to manipulate the specific type of cells to determine how identifiable populations of neurons and glial cells contribute to pain and itch behaviors in a causal manner. We also complementally use electrophysiology and cellular functional imaging (in vitro and in vivo) to measure activity of neurons and glial cells. From these studies, we devise strategies for new types of pain and itch relieving medications.