Physiology and Biophysics : Graduate Faculty

Yijen Anthony Huang, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor

305-243-6769 (office)

305-243-5931 (fax)

Rosenstiel Medical Science Building 4055

yhuang@med.miami.edu

Curriculum Vitae

1997 Ph.D. Anatomy, National Taiwan University

1999-2003 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anatomy, Kaohsiung Medical University

2003-2005 Visiting Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine

2005-2008 Associate Scientist, Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami.

2008-present Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami.

Research Interests

Dr. Huang’s lab studies neurotransmitters and signal transduction in peripheral gustatory sensory organs—taste buds, using sophisticated anatomical and physiological methods. We apply functional Ca2+ imaging and biosensor cell techniques to examine signal processing in taste buds. Our lab has identified several neurotransmitters—including serotonin, ATP and norepinephrine--that are secreted from taste bud cells and we have uncovered novel mechanisms for transmitter secretion. We are learning that cell-to-cell communication between neighboring taste cells is a key event before signals are sent to the brain via primary sensory fibers. In addition, we are exploring signal processing during sweet, bitter and sour taste stimulation. Our lab plays a pioneering role in the exploration of taste reception and provides important information for sensory processing in human health and disease.

A, micrograph of a fixed, isolated taste bud immunostained for serotonin. Two immunopositive taste cells (red) are visible in this plane of focus. B, micrograph of a Fura2-loaded (green) biosensor cell abutted against an isolated taste bud in a living preparation. (from J. Neuroscience 25(4): 843-847.

Recent Publications

Huang, Y., Y. Maruyama and S.D. Roper (2008) Norepinephrine is co-released with serotonin in mouse taste buds. J. Neurosci. in press.

Huang, Y., Y. Maruyama, R. Stimac, and S.D. Roper (2008) Presynaptic (Type III) cells in mouse taste buds sense sour (acid) taste. J Physiol 586:2903-2912.

Huang, Y., Y. Maruyama, G. Dvoryanchikov, E. Pereira, N. Chaudhari and S.D. Roper (2007) The role of pannexin 1 hemichannels in ATP release and cell-cell communication in mouse taste buds. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. Apr. 10; 104(15):6436-41.

Huang, Y., Y. Maruyama, K.S. Lu, E. Pereira, I. Plonsky, J. E. Baur and S. D. Roper (2005) Mouse taste buds use serotonin as a neurotransmitter. J. Neurosci. 25(4):843-847.

Huang, Y., Y. Maruyama, K.S. Lu, E. Pereira, I. Plonsky, J. E. Baur and S. D. Roper (2005) Using biosensors to detect the release of serotonin from taste buds during taste stimulation. Arch. Ital. Biol. 143:87-96.

Huang, Y., Y. Maruyama, K.S. Lu, E. Pereira and S.D. Roper (2005) Mouse taste buds release serotonin in response to taste stimuli. Chem. Senses. Suppl 1, 30:i39-40.

Huang, Y., Y.H. Wu and K.S. Lu (2003) Immunoelectron microscopic studies on protein gene product 9.5 and calcitonin gene-related peptide in vallate taste cells and related nerves in the guinea pig. Microsc. Res. Tech. 62:383-395.

Huang, Y., and K.S. Lu (2001) TUNEL staining and electron microscopy studies of apoptotic changes in guinea pig vallate taste cells after unilateral glossopharyngeal denervation. Anat. Embryol. 204:493-501.

Huang, Y., and K.S. Lu (1996) Immunohistochemical studies on protein gene product 9.5, serotonin and neuropeptides in vallate taste buds and related nerves of the guinea pig. Arch.Histol.Cytol. 59:433-441.

Huang, Y., and K.S. Lu (1996) Unilateral innervation of guinea pig vallate taste buds as determined by glossopharyngeal neurectomy and HRP neural tracing. J. Anat. 189:315-324.

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