Welcome to the Usachev lab!

One major focus of our research is directed at understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of chronic pain. We use a broad set of techniques including transgenic animals models, behavioral testing, multiphoton microscopy and patch-clamp electrophysiology to examine how neuro-immune interaction in the periphery and CNS contributes to the development and maintenance of persistent pain, with the ultimate goal of developing more efficacious strategies for treating various chronic pain conditions. Our second major line of research focuses on the role of mitochondria in regulating neuronal functions, synaptic plasticity and neuronal degeneration, with the ultimate goal of better understanding and transforming our ability to treat such conditions as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and peripheral diabetic neuropathy.