The paper characterizes a CACNA1A variant in a patient with mixed clinical symptoms, showing conflicting in vitro and in vivo effects that highlight the importance of cellular context.

bioRxiv · May 10, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

AFD Thermosensory Neurons Mediate Tactile-Dependent Locomotion Modulation in C. elegans

Manuel Rosero, Jihong Bai

This study identifies a novel role for AFD thermosensory neurons in tactile-dependent locomotion modulation in C. elegans, independent of their thermosensory function.

eLife · Apr 15, 2026Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase-2 (GRK-2) controls exploration through neuropeptide signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans

Kristen C. Davis, Christo Mitchell, Olivia Weissenfels, Jihong Bai, David M. Raizen, Michael Ailion, Irini Topalidou

This study identifies GRK-2 as a regulator of exploration and movement quiescence in C. elegans by acting in chemosensory neurons and opposing neuropeptide signaling pathways.

bioRxiv · Nov 5, 2022 · PreprintGenetics

Presynaptic autophagy is coupled to the synaptic vesicle cycle via ATG-9

Sisi Yang, Daehun Park, Laura Manning, Sarah E. Kargbo-Hill, Mian Cao, Xuan Zhao, Ian J. Gonzalez, Yongming Dong, Benjamin Clark, Lin Shao, Ifechukwu Okeke, Agustin Almoril-Porras, Jihong Bai, Pietro V. De Camilli, Daniel A. Colón‐Ramos

This study identifies ATG-9 trafficking as a mechanism linking presynaptic autophagy to the synaptic vesicle cycle in C. elegans.

Neuron · Jan 21, 2022Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Dopamine receptor DOP-1 engages a sleep pathway to modulate swimming in C. elegans

Ye Xu, Lin Zhang, Yan Liu, Irini Topalidou, Cera W. Hassinan, Michael Ailion, Zhenqiang Zhao, Tan Wang, Zhibin Chen, Jihong Bai

This study identifies a pathway linking the dopamine receptor DOP-1 to a sleep mechanism that modulates sustained swimming in C. elegans.

iScience · Mar 1, 2021Peer-reviewedGenetics

Repairing neural damage in a C. elegans chemosensory circuit using genetically engineered synapses

Ithai Rabinowitch, Bishal Upadhyaya, Aaradhya Pant, Dolev Galski, Lena Kreines, Jihong Bai

The paper demonstrates that genetically engineered synapses can restore chemotaxis in a damaged C. elegans chemosensory circuit by amplifying weakened signals through unintended lateral connections.

Cell Systems · Jan 19, 2021Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

INX-18 and INX-19 play distinct roles in electrical synapses that modulate aversive behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans

Lisa Voelker, Bishal Upadhyaya, Denise M. Ferkey, Sarah R. Woldemariam, Noëlle D. L’Étoile, Ithai Rabinowitch, Jihong Bai

This paper identifies INX-18 and INX-19 as distinct components of electrical synapses in C. elegans that modulate aversive behavior through cGMP exchange between ASH and ASK neurons.

PLoS Genetics · Oct 28, 2019Peer-reviewedNeuroscience