Qin Liu, Ph.D.
![](/-/media/post-launch-images/2015/05/scholars/liu-qin-resize.jpg?la=da&h=570&w=570&hash=D957DDF3614E7215334D3608F58498EE)
- Title
- Assistant Professor
- Department
- Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Opthamology and Visual Sciences
- Institution
- Washington University
- Address
-
4940 Parkview Place
CSRB 6652 - City, State, ZIP
- St. Louis, MO 63110
- Phone
- (314) 747-5474
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://csi.wustl.edu/faculty/liu_qin
- Research field
- Molecular Biology
- Award year
- 2015
Research
My research probes the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with ocular discomfort. Painful, itchy eyes can be a sign of something serious, such as allergies, infection, or abrasion. But the two sensations actually originate in different parts of the eye: Pain comes from the cornea, which covers the iris and pupil, while itchiness emanates from the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of the eye. I will dissect the mechanisms that underlie both processes. Early in my career, I discovered a receptor, present in the conjunctiva but not the cornea that is activated by itch-inducing chemicals. At the same time, I discovered a channel that renders the cornea exquisitely sensitive to pain. Now, I will continue to explore how itch receptors from the mouse and the human transmit their signals and how the channel found in the cornea translates even a gentle touch into extreme discomfort. This work will lead to more targeted and effective treatments for both of these forms of eye irritation and to a better understanding of other disorders that are plagued with intractable pain or itch.
Scholar Keywords
2015 Search Pew Scholars
- Theresa Alenghat, V.M.D., Ph.D.
- Nicola J. Allen, Ph.D.
- Brenda L. Bloodgood, Ph.D.
- Jesse D. Bloom, Ph.D.
- Michael S. Cohen, Ph.D.
- Kimberly L. Cooper, Ph.D.
- Aaron P. Esser-Kahn, Ph.D.
- Gianna E. Hammer, Ph.D.
- Michael J. Harms, Ph.D.
- Christian M. Kaiser, Ph.D.
- Daniel Kronauer, Ph.D.
- Marcus Kronforst, Ph.D.
- Polina V. Lishko, Ph.D.
- Qin Liu, Ph.D.
- Carolyn S. McBride, Ph.D.
- Nima Mesgarani, Ph.D.
- Douglas Millay, Ph.D.
- Clarissa J. Nobile, Ph.D.
- Gary J. Patti, Ph.D.
- Robert J. Schmitz, Ph.D.
- Joshua J. Woodward, Ph.D.
- Ke Xu, Ph.D.