University of Pennsylvania · NeuroscienceItch Sensation and Neural Response Unit
Wenqin Luo · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Wenqin Luo's lab at the University of Pennsylvania investigates how our brains perceive the sensation of itching and the associated behavior of scratching. They focus on the role of specific neurons in the brain that are activated during scratching and how these neurons can suppress the itch sensation. By using advanced techniques like optogenetics and calcium imaging, the lab aims to uncover the neural circuits involved in mediating scratching responses and their implications for chronic conditions related to itch and pain.
itchchronic itchneural circuitsscratch responsemechanoreceptors
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the molecular properties of lateral habenula neurons activated by scratching.
AIM 02Examine the role of lateral habenula neurons in suppressing scratch responses using genetic manipulations.
AIM 03Test the necessity of high-threshold mechanoreceptors in relaying scratching information to the lateral habenula.
Skills the Lab Values
optogeneticscalcium imagingneuroanatomybehavioral assaysimmunohistochemistry
Output against the department
Publications159top 46% of dept.310th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.2kbottom 38% of dept.416th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.