Our group is devoted to investigating the way in which the functional, chemical and structural plasticity of neurons contributes both to the normal function and diseases of the nervous system. Our major efforts are devoted to the study of somatosensory circuits, pain, neurodegeneration and regeneration. We use multidisciplinary approaches spanning molecular and cell biology, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, behavior, and genetics. We are a part of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and increasingly exploit stem cell derived human cells to model disease and screen for new therapies, and our lab has a dynamic mix of basic and translational research.

Our lab is interested in defining the ways in which the immune and nervous systems interact, whether in the form of neurogenic inflammation or immune modulation of nervous signaling. To this end, we are exploring these questions via bioinformatic, single cell profiling, electrophysiological, cell biological and behavioral approaches to unravelling the neuroimmune interactome. Increasingly we recognize that the immune and nervous systems detect and respond to danger together and interact to contribute both to homeostasis and cause pathological conditions. We find that silencing the nervous system ameliorates certain immunological disease conditions like atopic dermatitis and allergic airway inflammation and offers new therapeutic opportunities.