News

John Del Rosario, PhD, was recently honored by the Society of General Physiologists with the prestigious Excelsior Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the fields of physiology and biophysics.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received a five-year, $11.7 million grant to study human genes and nerve cells to better understand how cells transmit pain and to identify new ways to treat it.

Robert Gereau, Ph.D., of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and John Rogers, Ph.D., of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, are developing a miniaturized overdose-detection device. Implanted under the skin, the device would detect an overdose, automatically administer naloxone, and alert emergency responders and other members of the individual’s support system.

Bobbie Brown selected as 2021 HHMI Gilliam Fellow.

Robert W. Gereau IV, PhD, the Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology, has received the Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Researchers have developed an implant that could revolutionize opioid overdose treatment. The implant, placed under the skin, automatically releases naloxone—a drug that counters opioid overdoses—when low oxygen levels are detected in the blood, a common overdose sign. This innovation offers a potential solution to the opioid crisis by providing swift naloxone delivery without immediate human intervention.

Scientist working to identify, reverse causes of chronic pain.

Device that works in rats has potential to replace electronic stimulators, drugs for pain, incontinenc.

Gereau Elected Fellow of the AAAS for his contributions to research on determining the cellular and molecular changes that underlie the development of chronic pain conditions.

Robert W. Gereau receives the Frederick W. L. Kerr award from the American Pain Society.

Nature news article interviews with Dr. Gereau describing future clinical trials using optogenetics for pain relief.

Scientific American interviews Gereau on the future implementation of optogenetics in clinical trials for pain relief.

In the wake of failed clinical trials based on animal models, the pain field is facing what seems to be an inescapable conclusion: the success of new pain drugs in the clinic will likely require studies of human cells and tissues.

Pain Research Forum story on O’Brien et al study on the role of ERK2 in pain and nociceptor development.

New research at Washington University in St. Louis shows that it’s possible to activate opioid receptors with light instead of pain-killing drugs. The discovery eventually may lead to new ways to relieve severe pain without the addictive properties and side effects posed by opiate drugs, such as morphine, OxyContin and Vicodin.