Grace Moore

Program: Neurosciences

Current advisor: Bryan Copits, PhD

Undergraduate university: University of Texas-Dallas, 2023

Enrollment year: 2023

Research summary
Assembling spinal circuits for light touch

Primary somatosensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) use highly specialized receptors to detect touch, temperature, pressure, vibration, and pain and transform these external stimuli into electrical signals. DRG neurons enable different types of input to be assigned specific sensory modalities by sending this information to anatomically distinct layers of the spinal cord. A unique population of DRG neurons called C-fiber low threshold mechanoreceptors (C-LTMRs) are activated by pleasurable light touch. However, their synaptic connections in the spinal cord are intermingled with those from pain-sensing nociceptors, raising the question of how these two distinct sensory modalities are separated. I have identified a unique combination of adhesion molecules selectively expressed in C-LTMRs, and I am focused on understanding how they establish and maintain proper synaptic connectivity in the spinal cord. Ultimately, my research will provide significant insight into how somatosensory circuits are assembled to process gentle touch.

Graduate publications