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Program 1
Program 1 Research Interests
The spinal cord plays a critical role in processing somatosensory information—touch, temperature, pain and itch. Dr. Ross’ lab is interested in characterizing these spinal microcircuits. Dr. Ross’ research team uses a combination of approaches to dissect these neural circuits in mice:
- Generate novel genetic tools to study populations of spinal neurons
- Perform axon circuit mapping using viruses
- Elucidate neural coding using optogenetics and electrophysiology
- Study sensory behavior using chemogenetic approaches
Improved understanding of the neural basis of pain and itch is of clinical relevance to millions of people worldwide that suffer from clinical conditions, particularly chronic pain, that result from of maladaptive changes in neural circuitry.
Program 1 Faculty Information