Author

Nusrat Africawala

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Listed by name: these papers carry no ORCID for this author, so different people with the same name may be mixed together.

Biology Disciplines

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Neuroscience· 3

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Approach:experimental assay· 2 Organism:mouse· 2 Assay:bulk RNA-seq· 1 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 1 Research Focus:differential expression· 1 Research Focus:gene regulatory network inference· 1 Organism:human· 1 Assay:imaging· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Celine SantiagoiD· 3 shared David D. GintyiD· 3 shared Alexandra R. Magee· 2 shared Annie HandleriD· 2 shared Brendan P. LehnertiD· 2 shared Josef TurecekiD· 2 shared Michael IskolsiD· 2 shared Michael Nolan-Tamariz· 2 shared

Activity by Year

2021-2025 · peak 1/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 41 mutual co-author links

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3 shared papersNeuroscience

Celine SantiagoORCID

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Author profile →

3 papers

Recent·Most cited

Activity-dependent development of the body's touch receptors

Celine Santiago, Julianna Siegrist, Nusrat Africawala, Annie Handler, Aniqa Tasnim, Rabia Anjum, Josef Turecek, Brendan P. Lehnert, Sophia Renauld, Jinheon Choi, Michael Nolan-Tamariz, Michael Iskols, Alexandra R. Magee, Suzanne Paradis, Nikhil Sharma, David D. Ginty

This study shows that neuronal activity is essential for the development of touch receptors, as genetic disruption of Piezo2 and Nav1.6 leads to structural and functional defects in mechanosensory neurons.

Neuron · May 16, 2025Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Three-dimensional reconstructions of mechanosensory end organs suggest a unifying mechanism underlying dynamic, light touch

Annie Handler, Qiyu Zhang, Song Pang, Tri Nguyen, Michael Iskols, Michael Nolan-Tamariz, Stuart Cattel, Rebecca Plumb, Brianna Sanchez, Karyl Ashjian, Aria Shotland, Bartianna Brown, Madiha Kabeer, Josef Turecek, Michelle M. DeLisle, , David D. Ginty

This study uses 3D reconstructions of mechanosensory end organs to propose a unified mechanism for Aβ RA-LTMR activation through axon protrusions and Piezo2 distribution.

Neuron · Sep 18, 2023Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Mechanoreceptor synapses in the brainstem shape the central representation of touch

Brendan P. Lehnert, Celine Santiago, Erica L. Huey, Alan J. Emanuel, Sophia Renauld, Nusrat Africawala, Ilayda Alkislar, Yang Zheng, Ling Bai, Charalampia Koutsioumpa, Jennifer T. Hong, Alexandra R. Magee, Christopher D. Harvey, David D. Ginty

The paper shows that mechanoreceptor synapses in the brainstem develop differently based on their proximity to glabrous skin, shaping the central representation of touch.

bioRxiv · Feb 2, 2021 · PreprintNeuroscience