Michael Caterina

Michael Caterina, MD, PhD, is a Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, holding appointments in the Department of Biological Chemistry, Department of Neurosurgery, and Department of Neuroscience. He is the Solomon H. Snyder Professor of Neurosurgery and serves as Director of both the Department of Biological Chemistry and the Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute. His research program is centered on the molecular and cellular basis of pain, with a focus on pathological pain states.

• Professor of Biological Chemistry
• Professor of Neuroscience
• Solomon H. Snyder Professor of Neurosurgery
• Director, Department of Biological Chemistry
• Director, Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute

Dr. Caterina's research spans developmental, cellular, and molecular neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on neuropathic and inflammatory pain. His lab employs mouse models and a multidisciplinary toolkit including behavioral assays, electrophysiology, transcriptomics, CRISPR, and synthetic biology. Key areas include pain mechanisms in hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas, neuropathic pain following nerve injury, and the development of genetically encoded systems for targeted pain relief. His work bridges basic science with translational applications.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in understanding pain at the intersection of genetics, neuroimmunology, and cellular signaling. Themes include ion channel function (TRPV1, TRPC3), noncoding RNA regulation, glial contributions to pain, and innovative methodologies for imaging and modulation of neuronal activity. His research consistently targets novel mechanisms that could lead to improved pain therapies.

Scientific awards and honors include:

• Solomon H. Snyder Professorship

Dr. Caterina advises graduate students through multiple programs, including the Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biological Chemistry, and the Neuroscience Training Program. His lab receives funding to support extensive research on pain mechanisms, including studies on nerve injury, immune-neuronal interactions, and synthetic biology approaches. Collaborative grants with institutions and interdisciplinary teams are evident in his publication record.

The Caterina lab operates within the Biophysics Building at Johns Hopkins, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for molecular, cellular, and behavioral neuroscience. The team includes researchers focused on pain pathways, genetic models, and therapeutic innovation, working in close collaboration with clinical and basic science laboratories across the institution.