Washington University in St Louis · Biomedical EngineeringMotivation and Opioid Dynamics Lab
Daniel Charles Castro · Saint Louis, Missouri
Research Focus
Dr. Daniel Charles Castro's lab focuses on understanding how natural opioids in the brain influence motivation and behavior. They explore the role of specific regions in the midbrain that respond to these opioids, particularly looking at how they can both enhance and suppress motivated behaviors like eating and escaping threats. This research aims to provide insights into mental health conditions where motivation is affected, potentially identifying new treatment targets.
endogenous opioidsmotivationdorsal midbrainneuropsychiatric disordersopto-geneticsCRISPRbehavioral neuroscienceappetitive behaviorsaversive behaviors
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine the anatomical characteristics of opioids in dorsal midbrain nuclei.
AIM 02Test the functional localization of opioids using pharmacological approaches and gene editing.
AIM 03Examine interactions between opioid and non-opioid neurons in motivated behavior through imaging.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editingin vivo imagingoptogeneticswireless fluidic devicesdual-color 1-photon imagingpharmacological antagonismfluorescent in situ hybridizationanimal behavior assaysneuroscience techniques