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One of the key questions in neuroscience is how the brain integrates sensory information from the internal and external sources, interprets in the light of knowledge gained the previous experience, and finally, select a specific action. Using Drosophila gustatory system, our lab studies how flies taste foods, integrate with other sensory information such as olfaction and mechanosensation as well as internal energy states, and decide to swallow or split the foods. To understand molecular underpinnings of these process, we are combining molecular genetics, electrophysiology, biochemistry, and cell biological approaches.


Individual cells in our body also need to detect their environmental changes such as osmolarity, flow, and pressure. Not only that, cell have to communicate through signaling molecules from other cells or tissues. Cilia are hair-like, microtubule-based structure extended from the cell membrane. When cilia go wrong, photoreceptor cells may die, kidney tubule develops cysts, the brain develops improperly. Cilia are "antenna" of cells. To proper sensing mechanical and chemical stimuli, cilia have receptors and signaling molecules. Since there is no local protein translation, ciliary proteins have to be delivered to cilia by specialized transport system. Our lab is interested in ciliary protein trafficking and signaling.


Steroid sulfates are endogenous sulfate esters of steroids. People believe that steroid sulfates play a role as precursors or circulating reservoirs of their active unsulfated counterparts. However, some steroid sulfates reportedly have biological activity in their own. We are interested in unveiling their biological functions of them. In the end, we aim to cure the patients with technology of our own. Â