Jing image 1
Neural marker expression in dorsal root ganglion
Image courtesy of Jing Zhao
Jing image 2
c-Fos staining in spinal cord
Image courtesy of Jing Zhao

Jing Zhao

Mechanistic Studies of Somatosensory Pathways
Jing Zhao photo

Tel: 020 7679 6722
Email: jing02.zhao@ucl.ac.uk

Our studies are focused on sensory transduction and transmission in the peripheral nervous system, especially in pain signalling. We use gene targeting in and transgenic mice as a model, combining molecular biochemistry, electrophysiology and behavioural approaches to identify the genes or molecules involved and to understand the molecular, cellular, physiological and pathological mechanisms involved.

We have three main areas of research: 

  1. trafficking of sodium channel Nav1.7
  2. BDNF in pain signalling, 
  3. microRNAs in pain signalling

For further information about current research please see the Molecular Nociception webpage http://www.ucl.ac.uk/molecular-nociception-group/.

Academic Career

  • 2013 Senior Lecturer, WIBR, UCL
  • 2012  Principal Research Associate, WIBR, UCL
  • 2008-2012 Senior Research Associate, WIBR, UCL
  • 2003-2008 Research Fellow, Department of Biology, UCL
  • 1999-2002 Postdoc, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai
  • 1998 PhD, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
  • 1992-1995 Specialist Registrar and Lecturer, Shanxi Medical University
  • 1992 MD, Shanxi Medical University
  • 1986-1989 House officer, and SHO, Shanxi Medical University
  • 1986 MB.BS. Shanxi Medical University

Publications

Baozhen Qi, Yong Wei, Songwen Chen, Genqing Zhou, Hongli Li, Juan Xu, Yu Ding, Xiaofeng Lu, Liqun Zhao, Feng Zhang, Gang Chen, Jing Zhao and Shaowen Liu. Nav1.8 channels in ganglionated plexi modulate atrial fibrillation inducibility. Cardiovascular research. 2014. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvu005

Kathryn Quick, Jing Zhao (joint first author), Niels Eijkelkamp, John E Linley, Francois Rugiero, James J Cox, Ramin Raouf , Martine Gringhuis, Jane E. Sexton, Joel Abramowitz Ruth Taylor, Andy Forge, Jonathan Ashmore, Nerissa Kirkwood, Corn� J Kros, Guy P Richardson, Marc Freichel, Veit Flockerzi, Lutz Birnbaumer and John N Wood. TRPC3 and TRPC6 are essential for normal mechanotransduction in subsets of sensory neurons and cochlear hair cells. Open Biology. 2:120068 doi:10.1098/rsob.120068 2046-2441 (2012)

 John C Chambers, Jing Zhao (joint first author), Cesare M N Terracciano, Connie R Bezzina, Weihua Zhang, Riyaz Kaba, Manoraj Navaratnarajah, Amol Lotlikar, Joban S Sehmi, Manraj K Kooner, Guohong Deng, Urszula Siedlecka, Saurabh Parasramka, Ismail El-Hamamsy, Mark N Wass, Lukas R C Dekker, Jonas S S G de Jong, Michael J E Sternberg, William McKenna, Nicholas J Severs, Ranil de Silva, Arthur A M Wilde, Praveen Anand, Magdi Yacoub, James Scott, Paul Elliott, John N Wood and Jaspal S Kooner. Genetic variation in SCN10A influences cardiac conduction. Nature Genetics. 42(2):149-52 (2010).

 Jing Zhao (joint corresponding author), Man-Cheung Lee, Ali Momin, Samuel T. Shepherd, Cruz-Miguel Cendan, Mark D Baker, Curtis Asante, Lucy Bee, Audrey Bethry, James R. Perkins, Mohammed A Nassar, Bjarke Abrahamsen, Anthony Dickenson, Bradley S Cobb, Matthias Merkenschlager and John N Wood. Small RNAs regulate sensory neuron transcripts that set peripheral pain thresholds. Journal of Neuroscience 30(32):10860 �10871 (2010) .

 Jing Zhao, Guanglu Yuan, Cruz Miguel Cendan, Mohammed Nassar, Malin C Lagerstr�m, Klas Kullander, Isabella Gavazzi and John N Wood. Nociceptor-expressed ephrin-B2 regulates inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Molecular Pain. 6:77 (2010) 

Bjarke Abrahamsen, Jing Zhao, Curtis O. Asante, Cruz Miguel Cendan, Steve Marsh, Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera, Mohammed A. Nassar, Anthony H. Dickenson, John N. Wood. The Cell and Molecular Basis of Mechanical, Cold, and Inflammatory Pain. Science 321(5889): 702-705 (2008) 

Further publication information can be viewed at https://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=JZHAO52

Group Members

  • Ayako Matsuyama (PhD student)
  • Kieran Miller (Year 3 Medicine undergraduate, Intercalated BSc)