Ardem Patapoutian, Ph.D.

Mechanical senses extend beyond a single sensory organ and impact a wide variety of perceptual processes, yet their molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Dr. Patapoutian and his team will explore the role of Piezo2 – the first vertebrate mechanically-gated cation channel – in mechanical processes (e.g. touch, proprioception, and stretch) that underlie normal physiology and pathophysiology. Using high-throughput screens and functional genomics approaches, Dr. Patapoutian hopes to identify Piezo2-like sensors involved in pain.