Yanping Gu

Yanping Gu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Her research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of chronic pain, with a particular emphasis on receptor-mediated signaling pathways and genetic therapeutic strategies.

• MD, Nanjing Medical University
• MS in Physiology, Nanjing Medical University
• Visiting Scientist in Pain Research, UTMB

Gu investigates chronic pain mechanisms through inflammation and nerve injury models, studying how second messengers like Ca²⁺, nitric oxide, and protein kinases modulate glutamate and purinergic P2X receptor responses. Her work includes pioneering adeno-associated viral vector-based gene delivery to enhance opioid receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia neurons, improving morphine efficacy for pain relief.

Selected research trends from her publications include:

• Elucidating Epac-PKC signaling in inflammation-induced hyperalgesia
• Developing viral vector platforms for pain treatment
• Characterizing receptor channel dynamics via Ca²⁺ and kinase interactions