David is a Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, and one of five PIs at the University of Glasgow’s Spinal Cord Research Group. He gained his BSc (Honours) in Anatomy at the University of Liverpool, and his PhD at the University of Wales, Cardiff. His work aims to improve our understanding of the complex circuitry in the spinal dorsal horn by defining the roles discrete neuronal populations play in processing input from the somatosensory system under normal conditions and in neuropathic pain states. David’s group use a range of experimental approaches in their work on rodent and human tissue. These include immunohistochemistry with confocal and transmission electron microscopy, in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, tracing studies using transganglionic tracers and AAVs, optogenetics and chemogenetics (both in vivo and in vitro), recovery surgical procedures to set up various models of peripheral nerve injury, and behavioural testing.

Work in the Hughes Laboratory has been supported by the BBSRC, NC3Rs and NHMRC (Australia).