Neural Circuitry and Synaptic Plasticity of Neuron-Metabolism

Metabolism is delicately tuned to a dynamically stable state – a process often referred to as homeostasis, which allows organisms to survive and function effectively in a broad range of environmental conditions. To achieve this balanced state, the brain receives internal feedback signals from the body communicating metabolic status, integrates them with inputs from the external world as well as the emotional state, and then “appropriately” modifies adaptive behaviors and physiological processes. When these regulatory functions go awry, diabetes and obesity, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders can result. The long-term goal of Dr. Kong’s research is to bridge molecular, cellular, and system approaches to decipher “neuron-metabolism” in two folds: 1) how neurons in the central nervous system translate their intrinsic firing properties to adaptive behaviors and metabolic regulation; and 2) how metabolic signals, including circulating metabolites, blood-borne hormones, and neuropeptides modulate the neurons and shape their firing outputs. In particular, the Kong lab is interested in studying the regulatory mechanisms at the levels of neural circuitry and synaptic transmission and is developing and employing multidisciplinary approaches, including genetically engineered mice and AAV-viral vectors, optogenetic and pharmacogenetic techniques, CRISPR genome editing, patch-clamp electrophysiology, 2-photon laser scanning microscopy, 2-photon laser uncaging, and in vivo calcium imaging of neuronal activities, to interrogate the aforementioned questions.