Konnerth, Fiona

Building better models to understand chronic pain

My main research interest lies in developing human-relevant in vitro models that help us better understand how the nervous system processes and transmits pain. I am particularly interested in combining biological models with engineering approaches to create experimental systems that are both physiologically relevant and precisely controllable.

In my PhD, I am developing a human in vitro model of nociception based on iPSC-derived sensory neurons, microfluidic compartmentalization, and high-density microelectrode arrays. By combining controlled cellular microenvironments with high-resolution electrophysiology, I aim to investigate neuronal and axonal responses to spatially defined stimuli and ultimately contribute to the development of new approaches for studying and screening treatments for chronic pain.

Research interests

• Bottom up neuroscience 
• Microphysiological systems and 3D cell cultures 
• Microfluidics
• Nociception 
• Drug discovery