Temperature Detection and Thermoregulation
A number of molecular thermal sensors in the peripheral nervous system ––largely belonging to the TRP ion channel family–– have been described and were found to be essential for the sensation of painfully hot and cold temperatures. However, it is still unclear how more nuanced sensations of innocuous temperatures in the warm to coolish range are detected and whether the same molecules are working in concert to accomplish this or whether unidentified cellular mechanism bring about these sensations that, state-dependently, are sometimes perceived as pleasant and sometimes unpleasant. We are interested in uncovering (TRP- dependent and independent) mechanisms detecting and encoding “comfort temperature” and how they relate to body temperature regulation.
We also have become interested in somatosensory processing at the level of the spinal cord. In particular, a molecular-genetic screen has guided us to study energy-metabolic requirements that accompany spinal signal processing, in particular long-lasting and strong (chronic) pain signals.
Our data suggest that spinal plasticity that results as a consequence of long-lasting/strong pain signals require energetic fuel that is provided by spinal glia cells. We are currently dissecting this energetic glia-neuro coupling and hope that (pharmacological) uncoupling could provide a therapeutic angel to counteract pain chronicity.