Cao Lab @ NIBS
Neural Circuits of Brain–Body Communication and Defensive Behaviors
We investigate how neural circuits integrate internal and external signals to drive innate behaviors essential for survival.
Our Research
In this laboratory, we are studying two major classes of brain disease: neurodegenerative disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders, using methods including molecular genetics, electrophysiology, live-cell imaging, behavioral analysis, neural stem cell biology, deep sequencing and drug virtual screening.
Research Focus 1: Neural Mechanisms of Pathogen Sensing and Initiation of Defense Responses by the Brain.
Research Focus 2: Neural Mechanisms of Brain Perception of Predator Threats Initiating Fight-or-Flight Responses
Selected Publications
Genetically encoded fluorescent reporters to visualize α-synuclein pathology in live brain
Cell Published online March 4, 2026
The gut-to-brain axis for toxin-induced defensive responses
Cell 185: 4298-4316 (2022)
A brain-to-spinal sensorimotor loop for repetitive self-grooming
Neuron 110: 874-890 (2022)
Congratulations to Our Lab’s Hai-Cheng Lu for Winning the Best Neurobiology Presentation Award and the National Scholarship!
Hai-Cheng Lu won the Best Presenter Award in Neurobiology and received the National Scholarship at the Tsinghua “Life, Medicine, and Pharmacy” PhD Forum. From September 26 to 27, 2025, the
Dr. Peng Cao Wins the 2023 “Science Exploration Award”
On July 17, 2023, the list of winners of the “Science Exploration Award” was announced to the public. Dr. Peng Cao, from the Beijing Institute of Life Sciences / Tsinghua University Joint
Introduction Coughin […]
