Functional Organization and Development: mammalian touch and pain-sensing neurons

Dr. Wenqin Luo is interested in the organization, development, and function of mammalian somatosensory neurons, especially those sensing pain, itch, and touch. She did her PhD research with Dr. Jeremy Nathans at the Johns Hopkins University, where she studied transcriptional regulation of cone opsin genes and protein trafficking in photoreceptors. In 2006, she joined Dr. David Ginty’s lab at the Johns Hopkins University as a postdoctoral fellow where she focused on roles of Ret signaling in controlling the development of mammalian DRG neurons. She demonstrated that signaling through Ret plays critical but distinct roles in the maturation, circuit formation, and adult maintenance of non-peptidergic nociceptors and RA mechanoreceptors (Luo et al, Neuron, 2007, 2009). As a result of these discoveries, she was awarded the 2010 Young Investigator (The A. McGehee Harvey Research Award) of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS.  

In 2011, Dr. Luo started her own lab at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Her lab is currently using mouse genetic tools to sparsely trace molecularly defined somatosensory population to provide deep insight into their functional organization. They are also using a combination of genetic, physiological, and behavior approaches to understand how touch- and pain-sensing circuits are established during development and how they may interact with each other.

Lunch will be provided
Hosted by: Dr. Lei Lei