Krimm Lab

About 

Taste bud cells are crucial for detecting chemical stimuli, such as sweetness and saltiness in food, and relay this information to the brain through peripheral sensory neurons. While the roles of different taste bud cells are well understood, the organization of peripheral sensory neurons remains unclear. Our research seeks to unravel how genetic expression, morphology, and function define distinct gustatory neuron types, providing insight into the peripheral organization of the taste system. This is particularly challenging, as taste bud cells are continuously replaced without disrupting sensory function—a process we are actively investigating. Additionally, we explore how neurons detect food's location and texture in the mouth and whether this sensory input modulates central taste perception. To address these questions, we employ cutting-edge techniques such as sparse cell genetic labeling, fiber tracing, whole-mount imaging, intra-vital imaging, and calcium imaging. 

You can visit my website at https://www.krimmlab.com

Current Projects

• We have identified neuron morphologies using sparse cell genetic labeling and observed variations, ranging from sparsely branched to heavily branched. Our ongoing efforts aim to determine the regulatory mechanisms governing these morphologies, investigating whether different neuron types exhibit divergent morphologies and exploring their potential impact on neuron function.  5R01DC007176
• Given the dynamic connection between taste receptor cells and neurons, we are exploring the specific movements (plasticity) influencing neuron morphology and required for forming new connections. Additionally, we investigate how taste bud damage and signaling pathways influencing the taste receptor cell cycle alter peripheral neuron morphologies. 5R01DC007176 
• The sense of taste is intricately linked with touch. We are focused on identifying the non-taste light touch mechanoreceptor responsible for mediating taste localization on the tongue. 5R01DC019634 

Recent Publications

• Deciphering Peripheral Taste Neuron Diversity: Using Genetic Identity to Bridge Taste Bud Innervation Patterns and Functional Responses. 

  Ohman LC, Huang T, Unwin VA, Singh A, Walters B, Whiddon ZD, Krimm RF.J Neurosci. 2024 Oct 8:e0583242024. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0583-24.2024. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39379155 

• Rapid structural remodeling of peripheral taste neurons is independent of taste cell turnover. 

  Whiddon ZD, Marshall JB, Alston DC, McGee AW, Krimm RF.PLoS Biol. 2023 Aug 31;21(8):e3002271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002271. eCollection 2023 Aug.PMID: 37651406  

• Taste arbor structural variability analyzed across taste regions. 

  Ohman LC, Hanbali L, Krimm RF.J Comp Neurol. 2023 May;531(7):743-758. doi: 10.1002/cne.25459. Epub 2023 Feb 5.PMID: 36740741   

• Variable Branching Characteristics of Peripheral Taste Neurons Indicates Differential Convergence. 

  Huang T, Ohman LC, Clements AV, Whiddon ZD, Krimm RF.J Neurosci. 2021 Jun 2;41(22):4850-4866. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1935-20.2021. Epub 2021 Apr 19.PMID: 33875572  

• Variation in taste ganglion neuron morphology: insights into taste function and plasticity. 

  Ohman LC, Krimm RF.Curr Opin Physiol. 2021 Apr;20:134-139. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.011. Epub 2021 Jan 19.PMID: 35047711  

• Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds. 

  Ohman LC, Krimm RF.J Vis Exp. 2021 Feb 11;(168):10.3791/62126. doi: 10.3791/62126.PMID: 33645587  

Team 

• Ngozi Eze, Research Assistant III
• Kaytee Horn, Lab Coordinator V
• Tao Huang, Research Scientist
• Mara Stout, Research Assistant III
• Thomas Myers, Graduate Student
• Brittany Walters, Graduate student
• Ben Castiello, Graduate student