Structure, function, and pharmacology of sensory receptors

Sensory receptor ion channels in somatosensory neurons are responsible for the sensory detection of stimuli such as temperature changes and irritants. This information is then transmitted to the spinal cord and brain, eliciting somatosensory perception, including nociception. Integration of sensory information occurs at higher levels (e.g., spinal cord and/or brain), as well as at the sensory receptor level where certain polymodal sensory receptors can sense diverse sensory signals and integrate them into common signaling pathways. Our current research seeks a molecular-level understanding of the design principles governing somatosensation and nociception by membrane sensory receptor channels, as well as their broader contextualization. We also aim to study disease mutations and develop small molecules targeting these sensory receptors/channels through a combination of structural, functional, pharmacological, computational biology, chemical biology, and cellular studies. These studies strive to answer important questions in neurobiology: What is the molecular basis of somatosensation by sensory receptor channels and can we develop a general model of their activity? How do mutations in these sensory receptors give rise to neuronal disorders? And, can we develop non-opioid drugs that target these receptors to treat conditions ranging from chronic itch to migraine?