Venetia Zachariou

My research focuses on the investigation of signal transduction and epigenetic mechanisms underlying CNS disorders and their treatment. Our team identified key signal transduction and transcriptional adaptations in the brain reward center that mediate addiction-like and antinociceptive behaviors. Recent work from my lab used models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain to gain information on the regulation and function of intracellular mediators of chronic pain-like behaviors. These studies involve genomic analysis, immunoprecipitation assays from synaptosomes or nuclear fragments, ChIP assays, FACS sorting and several other methodologies. We have also gained insight on brain region-specific and peripheral ganglia-specific genomic adaptations associated with long-term pain states and identified novel molecules and pathways as potential targets for the treatment of sensory and affective pain symptoms.

We also utilize advanced genetic mouse models to comprehend the regional role of G protein signaling in behavioral responses to opioids, in models of reward, physical dependence and analgesia. These studies provided important information on the in-vivo function of multiprotein complexes that control GPCR responses. Another line of research in my lab involves the study of epigenetic mechanisms underlying chronic pain, and the identification of several histone deacetylases that can be targeted for the management of chronic pain and comorbidities. We have used multiple methodologies to understand how chronic pain states affect chromatin accessibility and cell-type specific transcriptional events. We have made major advances in understanding mechanisms that contribute to pain chronicity, and the maintenance of pathological pain symptoms.