University of Southern California · BiologyThe Cold Pain Lab
David D Mckemy · Los Angeles, California
Research Focus
Dr. David D. McKemy's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on how our body senses cold temperatures and the resulting pain that may occur. The research explores the mechanisms of cold sensitivity and how injury can heighten this sensation, as well as how these processes can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. Ultimately, the lab aims to understand the complex biology behind cold-induced pain to develop better treatments for conditions like chronic pain and allodynia.
cold allodyniaTRPM8 receptorsensory neuronspain mechanismstherapeutic cooling
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the cellular basis for ARTN and GFR3 mediated cold sensitization.
AIM 02Study the role of different TRPM8 afferent populations in cold signaling.
AIM 03Identify and characterize cold-tuned spinal neurons.
AIM 04Examine how cold sensations are processed by distinct neurocircuits.
AIM 05Explore potential therapeutic interventions using cold stimuli.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse geneticsbehavioral assaysmolecular cloningimmunohistochemistry
Output against the department
Publications68bottom 18% of dept.841st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.0ktop 43% of dept.440th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.