John Peever

Research Synopsis

Keywords: Sleep, REM sleep, Sleep disorders, Narcolepsy, Electrophysiology, Optogenetics, Pharmacogenetics.

Detailed Description: y lab studies the cell systems that trigger normal REM sleep and how breakdown in these systems causes sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder and sleep-disordered breathing. We use translational approaches to bridge our understanding of brain function and physiology for application to human disease. My research team uses electrophysiology, optogenetics, pharmacogenetics (e.g., DREADDs technology) to dissect the brain circuits that control sleep.

METHODS USED

Cell and tissue culture: Brain slice, neurons.

Procedures: Behavioural tests, EEG, electrophysiology, HPLC, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, in-vitro electrophysiology, in-vivo electrophysiology, in-vivo hypothalamus immunocytochemistry, in-vivo recording of local field potentials, intracellular injection, stereotaxic brain surgery, vagotomy, vessel cannulation, western blot.

EQUIPMENT USED

Analytical balances, benchtop centrifuge, blotting apparatus, cryostat, dissecting microscope, electrophysiology rig, fluorescence microscope, fresh tissue sectioning systems, gel apparatus, HPLC, infusion apparatus, low- and high-speed centrifuge, micropipette puller, microwave oven, mini vortexer, motorized micromanipulators, pneumatic picopump, rat running wheels, setups for electropherosis, stimulator, stirrer/hot plate, vibratome, water baths.

PRESENT TRAINEES

Peter Schwarz
Nicole Yee
Jimmy Fraigne
Paul Sanghera
Zoltan Torontali
Sharshi Bulner
Matthew Snow
Simon Lui
Jenn LaPierre
Daniel Li
Elaheh Soleimannejad

PRESENT COLLABORATIONS

Outside the Department of Physiology:
John Roder, TCP/UofT
Melanie Woodin, Cell & Systems Biology, UofT
Junchul Kim, Psychology/UofT
Antoine Adamatidis, Psychology/McGill
Pierre Luppi, Biology/Lyon/France
Scammell Tom, Neurobiology/Harvard/USA
Jerry Siegel, Psychiatry/UCLA/USA
Tohru Kodama, Neuroscience/Toyko/Japan

Recent Publications

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26074874

Appointments