Loyola University Chicago · Stritch School of Medicine

Villalón Landeros Laboratory

Exploring the hidden language of sensory neurons.

Discovering how proteasome-dependent signaling shapes neuronal communication, sensory perception, and neuropathic pain.

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Original fluorescence microscopy image of sensory neurons, showing neuronal membrane proteasome labeling in red and sensory neurons in green
NMP (red) in sensory neurons (green) · Original laboratory microscopy

Sensory Signaling

How sensory neurons detect and encode information.

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Neural Circuits

How sensory information is processed in the nervous system.

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Behavioral Output

How sensory signals drive behavior and adaptation.

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Impact and Translation

Insights from basic research to inform health and disease.

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Latest news

News & Events

OCTOBER 23, 2026 · LAB MILESTONE

Heidi Morris successfully defends her Master’s thesis

Celebrating the first graduate of the Villalón Landeros Laboratory.

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Publications

Recent work

Peer-reviewed output from the lab and its collaborators.

  1. J Vis Exp2025

    Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons

    Imhoff ME, Morris HJ, Villalón Landeros E (lab principal investigator)

    PubMed record for Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons (opens in a new tab)

  2. STAR Protocols2025

    Protocol to study neuronal membrane proteasome function in mouse peripheral sensory neurons

    Krueger ER, Church TR, Brennan A, Türker F, Villalón Landeros E (lab principal investigator)

    PubMed record for Protocol to study neuronal membrane proteasome function in mouse peripheral sensory neurons (opens in a new tab)

  3. Cell Reports2024

    The nociceptive activity of peripheral sensory neurons is modulated by the neuronal membrane proteasome

    Villalón Landeros E (lab principal investigator), Kho SC, Church TR, Brennan A, Türker F, Delannoy M, Caterina MJ, Margolis SS

    PubMed record for The nociceptive activity of peripheral sensory neurons is modulated by the neuronal membrane proteasome (opens in a new tab)
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Loyola University Chicago

Our home at Loyola

Neuroscience at Stritch School of Medicine

The Villalón Landeros Laboratory is part of the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience at Loyola University Chicago.

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Center for Translational Research and Education building at Loyola

Join us

Work with us on pain and itch

We welcome curious scientists interested in sensory neuron biology, molecular signaling, and mechanisms of pain. Get in touch to learn about opportunities.

  • Graduate students

    Training opportunities through Loyola neuroscience and biomedical sciences graduate programs.

  • Undergraduates

    Hands-on research placements for motivated students.

  • Postdocs

    Enquiries welcome — send a CV and research interests.

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