Basic Research
Z. David Luo, MD, PhDZhigang David Luo, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Luo’s research interests focus on molecular mechanisms of chronic pain. Being supported by research funding from NIH, the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund of California, and the Christopher Reeve Foundation, Dr. Luo and his team are studying how chronic pain inducing conditions, such as peripheral nerve injury, bone cancer and spinal cord injury, induce changes in gene expression in sensory pathways that lead to changes in pain perception.
Two approaches are utilized in Dr. Luo’s research. First, they use gene chip analysis to compare gene expression profiles between control and experimental tissue samples, taken from pathological conditions associated with abnormal sensations, to identify genes that may be the molecular determinants of specific nociceptive states and serve as targets for the development of more specific and safer analgesics.
Their second approach is to study how altered target gene expression contributes to spinal sensitization, a central mechanism of abnormal sensations. Briefly, they use behavioral pharmacology, cellular and molecular biology and immunohistochemistry techniques to study how these genes are regulated under pain-inducing conditions, and how these changes contribute to abnormal sensation development and maintenance. Finally, Dr. Luo’s team is developing and validating novel interventions for chronic pain management. 
Dr. Luo’s research accomplishments are well recognized in the pain research field. Dr. Luo has been invited to present his research findings in numerous international and national meetings, and has provided consultations to and established collaborations with investigators within UC Irvine and from other institutions around the world. Additionally, Dr. Luo has published "Pain Research: Methods and Protocols," a cutting-edge collection of diverse readily reproducible techniques for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of pain transduction. These methods employ a variety of multidisciplinary approaches ranging from animal pain models and single neutron selection to in vitro single-cell mRNA amplification.
Related Links
| Back to Top |
Michael Alkire, MD
Associate Professor in Residence
Dr. Alkire’s work investigates the mechanisms of anesthetic action on memory, consciousness and pain processing. He uses neuroimaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and high density electroencephalography (EEG), as well as small animal experimentation, to identify and experimentally manipulate various key sites of anesthetic action. Dr. Alkire is the principle investigator on NIH RO1 65212 studying “The Role of the Amygdala in Anesthetic-induced Amnesia.” This animal experimentation work is performed in the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM). Dr. Alkire discovered the amygdala plays a key role in causing the amnesia of inhalational anesthesia. This was recently published with editorial highlight in Anesthesiology.
Dr. Alkire collaborates with the members of the CNLM and was named a Fellow of the Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. Dr. Alkire is Co-PI with Dr. Larry Cahill on an additional NIH RO1 study, “Neural Mechanisms of Emotional Memory Consolidation.” Dr. Alkire also collaborates with Dr. John Guzowski investigating how the immediate early gene product Arc-protein may mediate the long-term memory consolidation blocking effects of anesthesia. Though still in its infancy, this work has already been nominated for the Kosaka Award at the International Anesthesia Research Society meeting.
Using brain imaging as a tool to understand anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, Dr. Alkire brings an international reputation to the Department of Anesthesiology at Irvine. He has discovered that intra-thalamic microinfusions of nicotine blocks the unconsciousness producing aspect of anesthesia and allows an animal to wake up and move around within a chamber filled with anesthetic. This work won the “Best of Meeting” abstract award competition at the 2007 International Anesthesia Research Society Meeting.
Related Links
- UC Irvine Center for Neurobiology and Memory
- The Royal Institution of Great Britain | Are you comfortably numb?
- Peter Wall Summer Institute
- View Dr. Alkire's Publications
| Back to Top |
Peter H. Breen, MD
FRCPC, Associate Professor
Dr. Breen investigates Gas Kinetics and Metabolism During Non-Steady State in Anesthesia, including non-steady-state carbon dioxide kinetics and the more general gas kinetics in anesthesia during non-steady state. His studies explored and tested hypotheses of gas exchange, metabolism, and the state of “tissue wellness” during non-steady-state conditions in anesthesia and critical care medicine. Experiments included bench simulations, computer modeling, and clinical studies. These studies stimulated collaborations and consultations with Information and Computer Science, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and the Department of Mathematics. Other areas of Dr. Breen’s research programs include the study of the pathophysiology and treatment of combined carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning and studies of respiratory mechanics.
Related Links
| Back to Top |
