Dong Kong

The long-term interest of my research is to bridge molecular, cellular, and system approaches to understand the neuronal modulation and circuitry involved in the pathogenesis of neurological and metabolic diseases. Specifically, we are currently leveraging and combining a cornucopia of cutting-edge technologies, from genetically engineered mouse models, recombinant viral vectors and viral tracing system, optogenetic and pharmacogenetic approaches, patch-clamp electrophysiology, to 2-photon laser scanning microscopy and 2-photon laser uncaging methods (2PLSM/2PLU), to explore the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying feeding related behaviors and metabolic homeostasis.