Dr. Wu is interested in studying the role of microglia, the highly dynamic immune cells in the central nervous system, in clinically relevant pathologies such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, neurodegeneration and autoimmune neurology. His research laboratory focuses on neuroimmune innteraction in normal and diseased brain tissue. Particularly, he and his team study the molecular mechanism underlying microglial sensing and regulation of neuronal activities. The use of advanced genetic tools along with a combination of two-photon imaging, electrophysiology, electroencephalography, molecular biology techniques and awake-behavioral studies in rodent models help Dr. Wu and his team identify microglia-specific targets to treat brain diseases, such as epilepsy, chronic pain, neurodegeneration etc.