Seminar: Molecular sensors and modulators of thermo-reception

**Speaker: Dr. Xuming Zhang (University of Cambridge)
**Time: 2013.5.20    2:00-3:00pm.

**Venue:Research Building, Room 502

**Host by: Prof. Xiao-ming LI

**Brief Introduction:

Education:
Ph.D in pathology and pathophysiology, Department of Pathology, Tonjing Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. (2001) (first class)
M.D. in clinical medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, China. (1996) (Top 1 class)
Employment and research experience:
01/06/2009 ? present Group leader, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
01/01/2009 ? 01/06/2009 Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
15/01/2002 ? 30/12/2008 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Sept. 1996 ? Aug. 2001 Ph.D, Department of Pathology, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China.

**Abstract:

The sensation of temperature is one of the most fundamental sensory functions across all species allowing organisms to select their preferred habitat temperatures. Aberrant temperature sensation (e.g., cold allodynia) is associated with many disease conditions such as pain and chemotherapy, and is detrimental to the well being of animals and humans. The detection of temperatures is initiated by the activation of thermo-sensitive sensory neurons expressing temperature-sensitive ion channels that act as direct thermal sensors by converting thermal energy into nerve impulses. The thermal sensitivity of these ion channels can be altered by many modulating factors through various signalling mechanisms, leading to abnormal temperature sensations under pathological conditions. Understanding of the activation and modulation of these temperature-sensitive ion channels is providing fundamental basis for developing novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurological disorders such as pain.