Dr. Michal Caterina, Department of Biological Chemistry’s Director, is featured in Johns Hopkins Magazine for his role in pioneering research uncovering the receptor conferring responsiveness to the capsaicin component of chili peppers.

Dr. Michal Caterina, Department of Biological Chemistry’s Director, is featured in Johns Hopkins Magazine for his role in pioneering research uncovering the receptor conferring responsiveness to the capsaicin component of chili peppers.  Capsaicin targets a subset of neurons through the TRPV1 ion channel receptor, which also participates in endogenous responses to stimuli including temperatures of 107 Fahrenheit and above.  The Caterina lab continues to generate fundamental insights into the mechanisms conferring somatosensory responses under healthy conditions and in the context of pathology.