Education
1999 - 2003 Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ph.D., Neurobiology
1996 - 1999 East China Normal University, Shanghai
M.S., Physiology
1992 - 1996 East China Normal University, Shanghai
B.A., Environmental Science
Professional Experience
2024- Full Professor (Tenured), School of Life Sciences, Peking University
2020 - 2024 Associate Professor (Tenured), School of Life Sciences, Peking University
2013 - 2020 Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), School of Life Sciences, Peking University
2013 - 2017 Visiting Investigator, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2009 - 2013 Research Associate, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2003 - 2009 Postdoctoral Fellow (Advisor: Dr. King-Wai Yau), Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Teaching
Undergraduate "Physiology"
Undergraduate "Advanced Neurobiology"
Graduate "Neuroscience"
Graduate "Sensory Neurobiology"
Graduate "Biophysics"
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.
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. (2023) A single photoreceptor splits perception and entrainment by cotransmission. Nature 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.(2022) An extra-clock ultradian brain oscillator sustains circadian timekeeping. Science Advances 8, eabo5506.
4. Luo DG, Silverman D, Frederiksen R, Adhikari R, Cao LH, Oatis JE, Kono M, Cornwall MC, and Yau KW. (2020) Apo-opsin and its dark constitutive activity across retinal cone subtypes. Current Biology 30: 4921-4931.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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)
10. 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)
11. Luo DG, Xue T, and Yau KW. How vision begins: an odyssey. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2008, 105, 9855-9862.
12. 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.
My laboratory is interested in: 1) the neural principles underlying sensory encoding and decoding, 2) the circuit mechanisms of feeding and mating, and 3) the interactions between biological clock and sleep.
We use a genetically-malleable species, Drosophila, wherein we can label and manipulate specific neurons, to understand 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.
