Laboratory of Neuroglycobiology and Sensation
Head of laboratory:
Research in this laboratory focuses on primary sensory neurons. These are the first neurons in sensory pathways, having receptors in peripheral tissues (skin, muscle, viscera), cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia and axons which terminate in the spinal cord.
It has been shown that, along with their expression of specific channels and receptors, primary sensory neurons responsible for detecting different stimuli can be distinguished on the basis of the constellation of sugars expressed in their cell membrane (neuroglycobiology). Identification of sensory neurons on the basis of their unique 'sugar code' allows for the focused study of those populations which are responsible for mediating particular sensations under healthy conditions and also provides an avenue for assessing their specific involvement in sensory dysfunctions associated with particular disease states.
To date, most of the research done by members of this lab has focused on identifying and studying a population of small diameter primary sensory neurons which express the sugar α-D-galactose in their cell membrane. We have provided evidence that these neurons, which can be distinguished from other primary sensory neurons on the basis that they selectively bind the plant lectin Bandeiraea simplicifolia I isolectin B4 (BS-IB4), are present in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord of a variety of mammalian species, primarily innervate the skin (as opposed to muscle and viscera) and generally display the anatomical, ultrastructural and electrophysiological features of neurons responsible for the initial detection and transmission of noxious / painful stimuli (also known as nociceptors). Thus, the identification and specific study of primary sensory neurons which express α-D-galactose (those that bind BS-IB4) can provide a thorough understanding of the morphology, molecular phenotype and physiology of nociceptors in general, and can be applied to enhance our knowledge regarding the transmission of painful stimuli from the periphery to the spinal cord in both healthy and diseased states.
Current research in this laboratory applies the ability to distinguish and label nociceptors to investigations aimed at enhancing our understanding of:- The sensory innervation patterns of peripheral tissues involved in common pain conditions such as headache, muscle and joint pain.
- The anatomical basis of referred pain.
- The anatomical and phenotypic changes associated with chronic pain.
The Laboratory of Neuroglycobiology and Sensation collaborates closely with the Laboratory of Neural Structure and Function to investigate the role and contribution of nociceptors in the development and maintenance of chronic pain conditions which occur after nerve injury. The ultimate goal of this collaborative research is to unravel the contributions that nociceptors make to the development of sensory and behavioural dysfunctions associated with nerve injury pain with a view to identifying new therapeutic targets towards which neuron-specific pain treatments might be aimed.
