Physiological homeostasis is necessary for the survival of all living organisms. For mammals, physiological parameters (e.g., energy metabolism, blood glucose, core body temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen, electrolytes and arousal) of the internal environment must be maintained within a relatively stable range in the face of the ever-changing external environment. These physiological parameters are closely interrelated. Malfunction of homeostasis for one vital physiological parameter often causes homeostasis dysfunctions in other physiological parameters. For instance, obesity significantly increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The nervous system plays a pivotal role in collectively maintaining the homeostasis of multiple physiological parameters by controlling animal's behavior and regulating the functions of other organ systems.

Our lab seeks to understand 1) how brain-body interaction collectively and dynamically maintains the homeostasis of multiple physiological parameters; 2) how the motivation for meeting the physiological homeostasis shapes the higher brain functions, such as social interaction, learning and memory, decision making, etc. To address these questions, we utilize a variety of cutting-edge neuroscience approaches, including a). gene expression detection: single-cell RNA-Seq, single-cell spatial transcriptomics, light-sheet microscopy, expansion microscopy; b). neuronal activity measurement: two-photon imaging, deep-brain imaging, miniature microscope, multi-electrode recording; c). connectivity mapping: trans-synaptic viral tracing, fMOST neural circuit mapping and reconstruction; d). behavior quantification: vital sign monitor, motion capture; e). specific manipulation: chemogentics, optogenetics; etc., and combine them with big-data analytics (such as machine learning) to systematically reveal the neural basis of physiological homeostasis at multiple scales and multiple levels. In addition, we will develop new approaches and tools to further extend our research to the underexplored territory of brain-body interaction, particularly in the peripheral nervous system.