Michael Caterina

Research Overview

Our laboratory studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the perception of pain under healthy conditions and in the setting of pathology. Towards this goal, we utilize a wide spectrum of approaches including behavioral analysis, in vivo and in vitro imaging and electrophysiology, genome editing, image analysis, transcriptomics, biochemistry, and cell biology. One topic of study is the identification of mechanisms underlying pain in a diverse collection of rare hereditary skin conditions known as palmoplantar keratodermas. These conditions, characterized by epidermal thickening on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, exhibit variable prevalence of pain that can significantly impact quality of life. A second topic that we study is how injured and uninjured neurons interact and change their behavior following a peripheral nerve injury, and how these changes relate to neuropathic pain. A third area of focus is on the role of RNA binding proteins as regulators of the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Finally, we are using synthetic biology approaches to re-engineer signal transduction pathways in order to convert signals that would have promoted pain into analgesic signals. 

Additional Titles

Director, Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute 

Director, Biological Chemistry Department