Author

Vani Kalyanaraman

Washington University in St. Louis

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· 5

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Organism:mouse· 5 Approach:experimental assay· 4 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 2 Assay:electronic health records· 2 Assay:ATAC-seq· 1 Assay:CRISPR screen· 1 Research Focus:differential expression· 1 Research Focus:drug response / drug discovery· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Bryan A. CopitsiD· 4 shared Monique R. Heitmeier· 3 shared Jamie C. MoffaiD· 2 shared Jessica R. TooleyiD· 2 shared Meaghan C. CreediD· 2 shared Vijay K. SamineniiD· 2 shared Abigail J. Elerding· 1 shared Alex A. LegariaiD· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2021-2026 · peak 2/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 25 mutual co-author links

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4 shared papersNeuroscience

Bryan A. CopitsORCID

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5 papers

Recent·Most cited

The role of mu opioid receptors on excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla in neuropathic pain

Jamie C. Moffa, Amy Gao, Vani Kalyanaraman, Monique R. Heitmeier, Bryan A. Copits

This study investigates the role of mu opioid receptors in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons of the rostral ventromedial medulla in neuropathic pain, finding that MOR signaling modulates early hypersensitivity but not chronic pain intensity.

bioRxiv · Sep 1, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

Reduced SK channel control of mesolimbic dopamine neuron firing drives reward seeking adaptations in chronic pain

Jeremy M. Thompson, Robert D. Graham, Jeff P. Goff, Yu-Hsuan Chang, Vani Kalyanaraman, Chang S Xu, Mason R. Barrett, Hanyun Wang, Travis A Hage, Alex A. Legaria, Mengtong Liu, Rebecca George, Bryan A. Copits, Alexxai V. Kravitz, Meaghan C. Creed

The paper identifies impaired SK channel function in mesolimbic dopamine neurons as a mechanism driving reward seeking adaptations in chronic neuropathic pain.

bioRxiv · Oct 6, 2025 · PreprintNeuroscience

Projection-TAGs enable multiplex projection tracing and multi-modal profiling of projection neurons

Lite Yang, Fang Liu, Hannah Hahm, Takao Okuda, Xiaoyue Li, Yufen Zhang, Vani Kalyanaraman, Monique R. Heitmeier, Vijay K. Samineni

The paper introduces Projection-TAGs, a tool for multiplex projection tracing and multi-modal profiling of projection neurons in mice.

Nature Communications · Jul 1, 2025Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Cell specific single viral vector CRISPR/Cas9 editing and genetically encoded tool delivery in the central and peripheral nervous systems

Jamie C. Moffa, India N. Bland, Jessica R. Tooley, Vani Kalyanaraman, Monique R. Heitmeier, Meaghan C. Creed, Bryan A. Copits

The paper develops a CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing strategy using a single AAV vector and Cre-dependent Cas9 in mice to enable cell-type specific editing and tool delivery in the nervous system.

eNeuro · Jun 13, 2024Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

A photoswitchable GPCR-based opsin for presynaptic silencing

Bryan A. Copits, Raaj Gowrishankar, Patrick O’Neill, Jun-Nan Li, Kasey S. Girven, Judy J. Yoo, Xenia Meshik, Kyle E. Parker, Skylar M. Spangler, Abigail J. Elerding, Bobbie J. Brown, Sofia E. Shirley, Kelly K.L., Alexis M. Vasquez, M. Christine Stander, , Michael R. Bruchas

This paper introduces parapinopsin (PPO), a photoswitchable GPCR-based opsin that enables rapid and reversible presynaptic inhibition, and demonstrates its utility in vivo.

Neuron · May 11, 2021Peer-reviewedNeuroscience