YuanYuan Liu

Stadtman Investigator
​​National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, USA

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Dr. Yuanyuan Liu received BS in Biotechnology in Nanjing University in 2003.  He went to State University of New York, Albany, NY and received PhD in Neuroscience in 2012 and served as postdoctoral fellow in Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA until 2019.  His recent scientific discoveries entitled “Sound induces analgesia via corticothalamic circuits”, “A glutamatergic DRN–VTA pathway modulates neuropathic pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior in mice”, “Identification of an essential spinoparabrachial pathway for mechanical itch.”, and “Fatigue-resistant hydrogel optical fibers enable peripheral nerve optogenetics during locomotion” have been respectively published in Science, Nature Communications, Neuron, and Nature Methods.

Yuanyuan’s current research focuses on deciphering neural circuits that control somatosensation and pain.  Particularly, his lab is devoted to revealing the functional and anatomic diversity in supraspinal descending and spinal ascending pathways. These pathways mediate bi-directional communications between the mind (brain) and the body (spinal cord).  Combining multiple cutting-edge biotechnologies, they recently developed an intersectional strategy to identify, molecularly define, and functionally manipulate supraspinal pathways involved in pain modulation.  In addition, they have been developing a powerful imaging platform aiming to revolutionize functional brain imaging. 
Yuanyuan anticipates that his research should provide mechanistic information related to the interplay of mind and body in somatosensation and will have translational potential by exposing new therapeutic strategies for treating refractory pain where effective treatments are lacking.  His lab has also long been committed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) by continuously recruiting and training students and postdoctoral fellows who are underrepresented in health-related sciences.

 

Speech title & Synopsis

New Thoughts on Descending Pain Modulation

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