Marcin Szczot

An Innervated and Vascularized HNSCC-on-a-Chip Model Built on Defined and Tunable Engineered Extracellular Matrices

This paper develops an HNSCC-on-a-chip model with tunable engineered extracellular matrices, vasculature, and innervation to study tumor behavior and therapeutic responses.

Central role for fast nociceptors in mechanical nocifensive behavior and sensitization

This study identifies fast-conducting mechano-nociceptors as essential for mechanical nocifensive behaviors and sensitization in mice and humans.

Hierarchical organization of mechano-nociceptive pathways revealed by activity labeling

The paper maps nociceptive signaling architecture by combining activity labeling with single-cell RNA sequencing, revealing a hierarchical organization of mechano-nociceptor populations based on tissue domain and organ context.

Genetic targeting of myelinated primary afferent neurons using a new NefhCreERT2 knock-in mouse

This paper introduces a new NefhCreERT2 knock-in mouse line for selectively targeting myelinated primary afferent neurons, enabling genetic studies of these fibers while excluding unmyelinated C fibers.

A fast nociceptive subsystem mediating rapid reflexive behavior but not affective pain

The paper identifies a fast nociceptive pathway that mediates rapid reflexive behavior but not affective pain.

PIEZO2-dependent rapid pain system in humans and mice.

The paper identifies PIEZO2-dependent mechanical pain in humans and mice, showing hair-pull pain is mediated by Aβ inputs and specific nociceptors.

HESC-derived sensory neurons reveal an unexpected role for PIEZO2 in nociceptor mechanotransduction

The paper generates hESC-derived nociceptor-like cells and shows they exhibit mechano-nociceptive characteristics requiring PIEZO2 for mechanotransduction.