A small nematode worm with recently discovered heat avoidance genes is likely to lead to the identification of new pain relief targets.
Nociception is the encoding (by nerves) and processing of potentially harmful stimuli such as high temperature to cause pain. The GATSNCE (Genetic analysis of temperature sensation and nociception in Caenorhabditis elegans) project has investigated this phenomenon down to the molecular (genetic) and nervous system level.
Further details: Heat avoidance, pain and survival