Mei-Chuan (Holden) Ko, PhD

The Ko Lab has long-standing expertise in the behavioral neuropharmacology of pain and addiction. We have established several clinically relevant outcome measures in awake, behaving rhesus macaques across different drug states and delivery routes. By using non-human primate (NHP) models, we investigate the functional profiles of novel compounds as compared to clinically used drugs to facilitate the research and development of effective medications. These NHP models enable mechanistic discovery and validation of novel therapeutics and their therapeutic windows relative to clinical standards. Notable successes include advancing kappa opioid receptor agonists as antipruritics and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor-related agonists as clinical-stage, non-addictive analgesics. 

Our research approach is highly translational and interdisciplinary. We integrate multiple behavioral and physiological study endpoints along with RNAscope, RNAseq, and electrophysiological measurements. These neuropharmacological studies aim to elucidate and validate the therapeutic potentials of novel targets aligned with NIH HEAL Initiative priorities. Current projects focus on 1) the therapeutic potential of non-opioid targets as safe and non-addictive analgesics, 2) the functional efficacy of novel compounds for attenuating the abuse-related effects of opioids and stimulants, and 3) the selectivity of the spinal and supraspinal ligand-receptor systems for modulating pain and itch sensation.