Our primary research interest is in transduction in primary sensory neurones - in particular thermosensitivity and nociception. Specific areas of work include these:

• the properties of a cold- and menthol-activated ion channel in sensory neurones (TRPM8), its role in cold sensing and its modulation by inflammatory mediators
  (see e.g. Linte, Ciobanu, Reid & Babes, Exp Brain Res 178(1):89-98, 2007);
  
• non-TRPM8 mechanisms in cold sensing
  (see e.g. Babes, Zorzon & Reid, Eur J Neurosci 20:2276-2282, 2004)
  
• effects of temperature on the capsaicin receptor TRPV1 (VR1)
  (see e.g. Babes et al, Neuroscience Letters, 317:131, 2002)

Granturi cercetare. Research grants:

PN2 164/1.10.2007 - Prof. Dr. Alexandru Babes

Mechano-transduction and Nociception
PENS Workshop 2007
August 25-30, 2007 - Bucharest, Romania