Donggen Luo

Email: dgluo（AT）pku.edu.cn；

Telephone: 010-62760611

Research Area:

My laboratory is interested in: 1) Brain timekeeping from milliseconds to 24 hours to seasons, 2) Sensory encoding and decoding, and 3) Feeding, mating, and sleep behavior.
We use a genetically-malleable species, Drosophila and mice, wherein we can label and manipulate specific neurons, to understand timekeeping, sensation and behavior from molecules to circuits to behaviors. The genetic approach is accompanied by a state-of-the-art integrated investigation involving optogenetic/chemogenetic manipulation, circuit tracing, two-photon-based calcium imaging, behavioral test and in vivo multi-electrode patch-clamp recordings.

Selected Publications:

1. Xiu-Wen Sui, Jun-Jie Yi, Yao Zhou, Ye-Li Wang, Xin Zhang, Yuhai Tu, Li-Hui Cao, Dong-Gen Luo. (2026) Motoneurons generate motor sequences via a feedforward disinhibition cascade. Nature Neuroscience (In press)

2. Xiao N, Xu S, Li ZK, Tang M, Mao R, Yang T, Ma SX, Wang PH, Li MT, Sunikumar A, Rouyer F, Cao LH, and Luo DG. A single photoreceptor splits perception and entrainment by cotransmission. Nature 2023, 623, 562-570.

3. Tang M, Cao LH, Yang T, Ma SX, Jing BY, Xiao N, Xu S, Leng KR, Yang D, Li MT, Luo DG. An extra-clock ultradian brain oscillator sustains circadian timekeeping. Science Advances 2022, 8, eabo5506.

4. Zhou Y, Cao LH, Sui XW, Guo XQ, and Luo DG. Mechanosensory circuits coordinate two opposing motor actions in Drosophila feeding. Science Advances 2019, 5: eaaw5141.

5. Li MT, Cao LH, Xiao N, Tang M, Deng B, Yang T, Yoshii T, and Luo DG. Hub-organized parallel circuits of central circadian pacemaker neurons for visual photoentrainment in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2018, 9: 4247.

6. Cao LH, Yang D, Wu W, Zeng X, Jing BY, Li MT, Qin SS, Tang C, Tu Y, and Luo DG. Odor-evoked inhibition of olfactory sensory neurons drives olfactory perception in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2017, 8: 1357.

7. Cao LH, Jing BY, Yang D, Zeng X, Shen Y, Tu Y and Luo DG. Distinct signaling of Drosophila chemoreceptors in olfactory sensory neurons. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2016, 113, E902-E911.

8. Luo DG*, Yue WWs, Ala-Laurila P and Yau KW*. Activation of visual pigments by light and heat. Science, 2011, 332, 1037-1032. (*Co-corresponding Authors)

9. Fu Y*, Kefalov VJ*, Luo DG*, Xue T* and Yau KW. Quantal noise from human red cone pigment. Nature Neuroscience, 2008, 11, 565-571. (*Equal Contributions)

10. Su CY, Luo DG, Terakita A, Schichida Y, Liao HW, Kazmi MA, Sakamar TP and Yau KW. Parietal-eye phototransduction components and their potential evolutionary implications. Science, 2006, 311, 11617-11621.