Research

Visceral innervating sensory neurons respond to a variety of stimuli under physiologic and pathophysiologic circumstances, though the mechanisms through which these stimuli are sensed remain poorly understood. Extrinsic sensory neurons that innervate the viscera (such as the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the colon) are those whose cell bodies reside in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the DRG sensory neurons. We are fascinated by understanding the neural circuits that allow for visceral sensation. We use neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, and mouse behavior to understand and define these circuits. On a molecular level, how various stimuli are sensed within these neurons remains elusive. We are using innovative approaches, from molecular neuroscience to biochemistry, to identify novel mechanisms of visceral sensation. Finally, a major goal of the lab is to define the role that these neurons play in pathophysiologic circumstances, such as during cancer, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease, possibly identifying novel therapeutic targets for a range of diseases.