Revealing brain-body communication by holistic GPCR ligand imaging

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and their ligands play important roles in the communication between brain and peripheral tissues, also called “brain-body axis”. Here, we propose the development of GPCR ligand bioluminescence indicator (GLiBI), allowing non-invasive visualization of neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, and hormone release along the brain-body axis in real time. Specifically, we aim to assess the regulation of autonomic nervous system in natural behaviors and pain responses by exercise and drugs. This project is anticipated to establish a revolutionary and generalizable approach for the non-invasive GPCR ligand imaging to study cell-cell communications in the body.