Our Research

How are somatosensory signals encoded in the spinal cord and brain?

How do internal states shape our perception of touch?

What are the contributions of altered somatosensory encoding to chronic pain and neurodevelopmental disorders?

We use a multidisciplinary approach to address these questions

  • Golden digital DNA strands on black background.

    MOLECULAR GENETICS

    We use mouse-molecular genetic approaches to label and manipulate neural circuits across the peripheral and central nervous system.

  • Scientific diagram showing data related to spinal cord MEA recording in a rodent, including a mouse illustration with the electrode, graphs of spikes and lag, and a rate vs. trials chart.

    ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

    We employ in vivo high-density neurophysiological recordings from spinal cord interneuron and projection neurons.

  • A microscopic image showing neurons with red and blue staining against a black background.

    ANATOMY

    We use genetic and viral labeling, tissue clearing and high resolution imaging to visualize how defined neuronal populations are wired across the body-brain axis.

  • A scatter plot shows biological data with five clusters labeled 1 through 5, each in different colors. The axes are labeled tSNE1 and tSNE2, indicating dimensionality reduction. Additional smaller graphs display laminar organization and average native depth per cluster, with a total of 5060 units.

    SYSTEMS NEUROBIOLOGY

    We record and model large-scale neural population activity across spinal and cortical networks to reveal how context and internal states flexibly shape sensory representations.

  • Close-up of a white mouse with pink ears and nose, looking out from a circular cutout on a black background.

    BEHAVIOR

    We conduct complex behavioral studies to examine how body-derived sensory signals drive meaningful action, focusing on spinal and brainstem circuits that link sensation to movement and adapt with experience.

     

  • Diagram showing a neuron with electrical activity traces, including a graph of EPSC amplitude and latency, and a schematic of a neuron with a red dot highlighting a specific area.

    SYNAPTIC PHYSIOLOGY

    We use optogenetics and patch-clamp recordings in acute spinal cord and brain slices to study mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Publications