Alison Xiaoqiao Xie, PhD

I am a neuroscientist and a glial biologist studying how the nervous system influences bladder functions. My past work focuses on the neuromodulatory role of GFAP-expressing glial cells, such as astrocytes in the brain and satellite glial cells in the peripheral ganglia. After joining the Urology research team, I started to investigate the neurogenic mechanisms underlying bladder dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain. I am broadly interested in the neural component of bladder anatomy and function, as well as the contribution of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in bladder dysfunction. My goal is to apply my past training in neuroscience and pharmacology to identifying trackable targets for urological disease intervention.

The experimental strategies my lab utilizes include pharmacogenetic manipulation of glial GPCR signaling in vivo with DREADDs, pharmacological and surgical manipulations, in vivo physiological and behavioral recordings, flow cytometry, bulk-RNA seq, transcriptome analysis, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene delivery, mouse genetics, calcium imaging in vivo and in situ, patch-clamping electrophysiology in situ and in vitro, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, dissociated cell and explant culture, and various molecular biology methods including real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunoprecipitation.

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, skiing, cooking authentic Chinese food, DIYing home projects, and spending time with my husband and our dogs.