Diana M. Bautista, Ph.D.

Research

In mammals, the initial detection of noxious chemical, mechanical or thermal stimuli -a process referred to as nociception - is mediated by specialized somatosensory neurons called nociceptors. Surprising little is known about the molecules underlying nociception. How painful stimuli excite nociceptors and how injury changes sensitivity to touch and pain are open questions. We are using a cellular physiology and molecular genetics approach to address these questions.