Research in my lab focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie chronic pain and opioid-induced analgesic tolerance and hyperalgesia. Chronic pain is a major public health problem. Despite intensive research into the neurobiological mechanism of chronic pain during the past decades, our understanding of chronic pain is still in its infancy and its treatment is often poorly managed by current drugs. Opioids are still the gold standard for chronic pain management in the clinical setting. However, the long-term use of the opioids produces opioid analgesic tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and other side effects. Thus, uncovering the mechanisms underlying chronic pain and opioid-induced tolerance and hyperalgesia may develop novel therapeutic strategies for prevention and/or treatment of these disorders.