The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the rece ....The Immunoregulatory Role of the Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide. Anandamides are naturally occurring fatty acids that act at the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the brain and periphery. A new proposal by our research group challenges traditional models of the disease process by suggesting that the anandamide system is an important imunoregulatory system that can be targeted by invading pathogens. We propose that disruption to the anandamide system, by bacteria or viruses acting at the receptor to block immunological responses, contributes to chronic illness states. At this point we have good evidence that anandamides are immunoregulators, however, we have very little knowledge of their precise physiological role. The aim of this research is to begin to characterise the immunoregulatory role of the anandamide system. This project will provide a comprehensive understanding of this endogenous control system, the immunological properties of which have not previously been described. The outcome of this research may lead to the identification of new avenues for the development of pharmaceutical interventions that can target this system.Read moreRead less
Is FGF21 the master regulator of protein intake? The project plans to bring together two major, rapidly growing disciplines – nutritional geometry and metabolic signalling – to address a topic of fundamental biological significance: the regulation of protein intake. A specific capacity to regulate protein intake has been shown for organisms spanning slime moulds to humans, yet the controlling mechanisms remain elusive. The project aims to test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 21, rel ....Is FGF21 the master regulator of protein intake? The project plans to bring together two major, rapidly growing disciplines – nutritional geometry and metabolic signalling – to address a topic of fundamental biological significance: the regulation of protein intake. A specific capacity to regulate protein intake has been shown for organisms spanning slime moulds to humans, yet the controlling mechanisms remain elusive. The project aims to test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 21, released from the liver under low protein nutrition, is a master regulator of protein intake. Understanding the mechanisms of protein appetite may have implications for organismal biology, understanding social interactions, the structure of food webs and the health and welfare of food and companion animals and humans.Read moreRead less
Neurons and neurotransmitters that control the apnoeic response to irritation of the larynx. Normal function of the larynx enables breathing, cough, singing, speech and many other normal functions. This project will reveal how nerves in the brain coordinate to achieve these many functions; in particular the way that breathing stops if fluid or smoke enters the larynx.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101357
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Modulation of gap-junction coupling in the mammalian retina. This project aims to examine the alteration in neuronal circuits of the retina over the course of the day and in response to changes in light. Basic knowledge of how the retina functions will be determined, providing invaluable information for strategies aimed at restoring vision to vision-impaired patients by replicating normal retinal function.
A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of the ....A molecular structure-function investigation of major membrane channels involved in olfactory transduction. Olfactory receptor neurons are extraordinarily-sensitive sensors for detecting minute concentrations of odorant molecules. This project aims to extend our previous studies of these specialised mammalian olfactory cells by using state-of-the art technologies: electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and molecular biology (site-directed-mutagenesis), to investigate how the molecular structure of their ion channels (selective protein pores) and receptors contribute to the odorant-induced generation of electrical activity, which mediates our sense of smell (olfaction). The project has specific relevance for understanding olfaction, as well as relevance for other sensory systems and other ion channels.Read moreRead less
Design of the cardiovascular system of living and fossil vertebrates. This project aims to understand how the heart and blood vessels evolved in mammals, birds, reptiles and fish to achieve efficiency. The heart is the most important organ for life. The project will study the structure and function of vertebrate animals’ hollow and spongy hearts to show how energetics shaped their evolution. It will measure arterial holes in bone to gauge brain and bone metabolism, which opens up a new way to me ....Design of the cardiovascular system of living and fossil vertebrates. This project aims to understand how the heart and blood vessels evolved in mammals, birds, reptiles and fish to achieve efficiency. The heart is the most important organ for life. The project will study the structure and function of vertebrate animals’ hollow and spongy hearts to show how energetics shaped their evolution. It will measure arterial holes in bone to gauge brain and bone metabolism, which opens up a new way to measure metabolism in extinct animals directly from fossils, rather than by inference from living relatives. The expected outcome is to correlate cardiovascular design and metabolic rates of organs.Read moreRead less
Does muscle contribute to the maintenance of vitamin D status in winter? This project aims to test the mechanism by which vitamin D status is maintained in winter when input is low. The long half-life in blood of the vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], maintains an adequate vitamin D status over winter, when sunlight, which produces vitamin D in skin, is reduced. From preliminary data in sheep and mice, this project proposes that skeletal muscle, not fat, stores vitamin D. This ....Does muscle contribute to the maintenance of vitamin D status in winter? This project aims to test the mechanism by which vitamin D status is maintained in winter when input is low. The long half-life in blood of the vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], maintains an adequate vitamin D status over winter, when sunlight, which produces vitamin D in skin, is reduced. From preliminary data in sheep and mice, this project proposes that skeletal muscle, not fat, stores vitamin D. This project will test this hypothesis in sheep, cultured muscle cells and in transgenic mice. The project will confirm whether the processes identified in skeletal muscle contribute to the maintenance of vitamin D status, and identify ways of enhancing this process.Read moreRead less
The role of dopamine in the regulation of worker sterility in the honey bee. This project will open new doors into the knowledge of honey bees' sterility. We will not only show that certain genes control honey bee sterility but also that there is interactions between these genes and environmental cues such as the pheromones released by the queen. The project will provide significant material for a better understanding of honey bees society. Honey bees remain the most important pollinator world w ....The role of dopamine in the regulation of worker sterility in the honey bee. This project will open new doors into the knowledge of honey bees' sterility. We will not only show that certain genes control honey bee sterility but also that there is interactions between these genes and environmental cues such as the pheromones released by the queen. The project will provide significant material for a better understanding of honey bees society. Honey bees remain the most important pollinator world wide, and their conservation is a major concern both to agriculturalists and the general public. The project will be of immense scientific interest, and likely to be regarded as a major breakthrough. The project will also foster a strong intellectual collaboration between New Zealand and Australia.Read moreRead less
Electric field effects on cochlear tissues. The project aims to solve the underlying biology of how electricity flows through the cochlear tissues, where and how electrical stimulation excites the auditory neurons, and what the effects of sustained electrical stimulation are on the nerve fibre growth and function. The research aims to show how electric fields can be controlled in the cochlea, and how auditory nerve fibres are affected at the cellular and molecular level. The long-term aim is to ....Electric field effects on cochlear tissues. The project aims to solve the underlying biology of how electricity flows through the cochlear tissues, where and how electrical stimulation excites the auditory neurons, and what the effects of sustained electrical stimulation are on the nerve fibre growth and function. The research aims to show how electric fields can be controlled in the cochlea, and how auditory nerve fibres are affected at the cellular and molecular level. The long-term aim is to utilise these findings to improve the control of neuronal excitability, for development of interfaces with the nervous system.Read moreRead less
Inhibitory control of retinal sensitivity. We will determine how the nerve cells that carry information from the eye to the brain are always able to provide signals despite very different environments; daylight, fog and night. Knowledge of how nerve cells achieve this rapid learning is important for any understanding of brain function; it is fundamental if we are to develop machines that see or that help restore vision in humans. The project will provide the world's first look at the synaptic ph ....Inhibitory control of retinal sensitivity. We will determine how the nerve cells that carry information from the eye to the brain are always able to provide signals despite very different environments; daylight, fog and night. Knowledge of how nerve cells achieve this rapid learning is important for any understanding of brain function; it is fundamental if we are to develop machines that see or that help restore vision in humans. The project will provide the world's first look at the synaptic physiology that underpins all visual perception, helping to bring Australia back to the forefront of research in this field. This new collaboration between two successful researchers will attract top quality students and researchers from Australia and abroad and be published in major journals.Read moreRead less