Our work focuses on the role of sensory nerves in initiating sensations, behaviors and reflexes. In particular, we are most interested in a group of sensory nerves that are activated by damaging/noxious stimuli known as ‘nociceptors’. In certain disease and inflammatory states these responses (e.g. pain, cough, etc.) are inappropriately triggered, which results in significant dysfunction and distress in afflicted individuals. We study the mechanisms important for sensory nerve activation, excitability and plasticity at multiple levels, from single channels to single cells to intact tissue to preclinical models.