Professor
Stanford Departments and Centers:
Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Research Interests:
The wormsenseLab seeks to decipher the genetic, molecular and physical basis of touch sensation and its disruption by mechanical and chemical stress, such as exposure to elevated glucose in diabetes and chemotherapeutic drugs. We use a combination of genetics, electrophysiology, and quantitative analysis of behavior and also develop new tools for delivering and measuring mechanical force. We also lead an interdisciplinary project (NeuroPlant) that uses nematode behavior to identify compounds synthesized by medicinal plants that modulate neuron function. This project also seeks to link compounds to their conserved protein receptors.