Research

The human brain consists of billions of neurons, which connected to form networks by trillions of synapses. The interplay between distinct neuronal types through synapses by long range projections and short range local connections leads to cognitive brain functions such as perception, decision making and motor control.

The biggest challenge to study brain is its complexity. Our lab's research centers on "synapse", the fundamental unit for the communication between brain cells, called neurons. We carry two layers of research: first, we develop cutting edge research tools, namely advanced imaging probes, to untangle the complexity of nervous system in space and in time; second, capitalizing on the advancement of research toolkits, we study the regulation of synaptic transmission, focusing on the modulation of presynaptic transmitter release in health (e.g. sleep) and in disease conditions (e.g. neurodegenerative disease). Specifically, for tool development, we focus on:

1, Development of non-invasive systems for opto-genetic mapping of electric synapses, a basic connection type between neurons. The malfunction of electric synapses could lead to devastating diseases such as deaf, heart problems, epilepsy and brain tumors.

2, Development of genetically-encoded sensors for imaging neurotransmitters/modulators. Those transmitters or modulators are crucial mediators for chemical synaptic transmission, important for our perception, learning/memory and our emotion.

Taking advantage of the above imaging sensors and additional, our functional studies are concentrating on:

1, Exploration, identification and characterization of potential novel small molecule transmitters by a combination of bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and imaging approaches.

2, Proteomic mapping of the Large Dense Core Vesicles (LDCV), an important yet poor characterized secretory organelle in neurons. The peptide release from LDCV is critically modulating the brain states, such as food foraging, aggression behavior and circadian rhythm.

3, Matching the above novel chemical transmitters/ modulators with their cognate receptors: deorphanization of orphan receptors.

4, Combined 2-photon imaging and genetically-encoded probes, studying how high brain centers are controlled during perception (olfaction) or sleep using fly and mice as model systems.