My research focuses on spinal motor-system. I am interested in the interaction between pre-motor interneurons and motoneurons; the synaptic plasticity of motoneurons for peripheral and brainstem descending pathways; and the mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Using a root recording system I developed for mouse spinal cord study, I have demonstrated the existence of two forms of short-term plasticity in the spinal motoneurons in response to different source of synaptic inputs. Further studies in this direction will move toward the cellular level to understand their pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms. In an animal model of ALS (mSOD1 mouse), I have found that NMDA receptors in the spinal interneurons might be an important component contributing to motoneurons' excitotoxicity. Further studies will apply intracellular recording and calcium image techniques to answer that through what ions, channels and/or receptors the interneurons interact with motoneurons in mSOD1 mouse in order to determine new therapeutic targets for this disease.