Transcriptional control of neural stem cell differentiation during development and disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control how neural stem cells differentiate is critical to provide potential therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and for brain cancer. This project will aim to discover, using an animal model system, the genes and molecules regulating these key biological processes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100074
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,000.00
Summary
Facilities for automated high-throughput slide scanning and stereology. The equipment requested will facilitate the work of the Australian Mouse Brain Mapping Consortium, a consortium of Australian research groups collaborating to provide the only mouse model brain mapping capability in the country. The consortium brings together laboratory, neuroimaging and computational expertise in a comprehensive framework for imaging the mouse brain. This will help researchers to study mouse models of genet ....Facilities for automated high-throughput slide scanning and stereology. The equipment requested will facilitate the work of the Australian Mouse Brain Mapping Consortium, a consortium of Australian research groups collaborating to provide the only mouse model brain mapping capability in the country. The consortium brings together laboratory, neuroimaging and computational expertise in a comprehensive framework for imaging the mouse brain. This will help researchers to study mouse models of genetic and acquired disorders across the life-span. Remote viewing and analysis capabilities will help overcome the 'tyranny of distance', increasing national access to the facility. Repositories of digitised images will increase the availability of valuable research material to other Australian and international researchers.Read moreRead less
The role of synapse development in cognitive disorder. In humans, intellectual disability occurs when nerve cells in the brain fail to connect. The project examines fundamental molecular processes involved in synapse development of neurons. The use of insect models provides a generalised biological template to understand how synaptic molecules contribute to behaviours that underlie cognitive disorder.
Regulation of neuronal cell death signalling for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and motor neuron diseases, are often underpinned by neuronal cell death-signalling. This project aims to characterise molecules that regulate cell death signalling, thereby increasing our knowledge of how neuronal cell death can be inhibited.
Molecular control of adult neural stem cell quiescence. The objective of this project is to improve our understanding of adult neural stem cell biology and function. Within the central nervous system of the brain, neural stem cells persist throughout adult life. These cells continually produce new neurons that are pivotal for processes including learning and memory, and deficits in adult neurogenesis have been linked to age-related cognitive decline. Adult neural stem cells are predominantly qui ....Molecular control of adult neural stem cell quiescence. The objective of this project is to improve our understanding of adult neural stem cell biology and function. Within the central nervous system of the brain, neural stem cells persist throughout adult life. These cells continually produce new neurons that are pivotal for processes including learning and memory, and deficits in adult neurogenesis have been linked to age-related cognitive decline. Adult neural stem cells are predominantly quiescent, dividing rarely to ensure that they are not prematurely exhausted. However, the factors that maintain this quiescence are very poorly defined. The project aims to understand how stem cell quiescence is controlled at both a molecular and cellular level in vivo within the adult mouse brain.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional regulation of brain size during development. This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms through which intermediate progenitor cell (IPC) formation is regulated within the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex plays a key role in functions central to our existence, including emotion, behaviour, learning and memory. During development, cortical neural stem cells produce neurons via IPCs. This project expects to discover the genetic programs regulating neuronal produc ....Transcriptional regulation of brain size during development. This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms through which intermediate progenitor cell (IPC) formation is regulated within the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex plays a key role in functions central to our existence, including emotion, behaviour, learning and memory. During development, cortical neural stem cells produce neurons via IPCs. This project expects to discover the genetic programs regulating neuronal production, providing significant conceptual advances in this key field. This will provide significant benefits, such as enhancing our understanding of how overall brain size is regulated during development.Read moreRead less
Understanding the mechanisms of GABA type-A receptor activation and drug modulation. There is currently little understanding of how sedative and anxiolytic drugs, including valium, interact with their receptors in the brain. This project will dramatically increase our understanding of how these receptors work and how drugs affect their activity. This will provide new insights into drug discovery and design.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101578
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
How does neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus influence learning & memory? One of the primary brain structures critical for learning and memory in animals and humans is the hippocampus, where regulated production of new neurons throughout life (i.e. adult neurogenesis) underpins these cognitive functions. The project aims to unravel how adult-born neurons exert their influence over behaviour by determining when newly born neurons become critical for behaviour and the connections made by these c ....How does neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus influence learning & memory? One of the primary brain structures critical for learning and memory in animals and humans is the hippocampus, where regulated production of new neurons throughout life (i.e. adult neurogenesis) underpins these cognitive functions. The project aims to unravel how adult-born neurons exert their influence over behaviour by determining when newly born neurons become critical for behaviour and the connections made by these cells within the hippocampal network. It aims to provide fundamental new insight into the stages at which these neurons are important for the acquisition of spatial task versus the recall of spatial tasks.Read moreRead less
Early formation of the preplate establishes the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is arguably the most complex area of the brain due to its ability to process and integrate a wide variety of information in a seamless manner. To understand how this occurs, it is essential to understand how the cerebral cortex is built during embryonic life. The focus of this project is on the formation of the very earliest neurons of the cortex, called preplate neurons. This project aims to: test a new model f ....Early formation of the preplate establishes the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is arguably the most complex area of the brain due to its ability to process and integrate a wide variety of information in a seamless manner. To understand how this occurs, it is essential to understand how the cerebral cortex is built during embryonic life. The focus of this project is on the formation of the very earliest neurons of the cortex, called preplate neurons. This project aims to: test a new model for preplate development with regards to their origin; their function in formation of the cerebral cortex; and the the molecular mechanisms underlying their development. This work provides a developmental framework for understanding how the cerebral cortex is established.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of monoaminergic transmission in Central Amygdala. This project will identify the distribution and function of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenalin receptors on the various cell types and their inputs, in the medial, lateral and capsular divisions of Central Amygdala (CeA). We will test for tonic endogenous activation of monoaminergic receptors and synaptic release from electrically stimulated fibers terminating in CeA. Using paired recordings and calcium imaging, we will invest ....Characterisation of monoaminergic transmission in Central Amygdala. This project will identify the distribution and function of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenalin receptors on the various cell types and their inputs, in the medial, lateral and capsular divisions of Central Amygdala (CeA). We will test for tonic endogenous activation of monoaminergic receptors and synaptic release from electrically stimulated fibers terminating in CeA. Using paired recordings and calcium imaging, we will investigate intracellular mechanisms underlying monoamine receptor mediated effects. These findings when correlated with published behavioural studies will provide greater understanding of the role of the divisions of CeA and the inputs they receive, in the function of the amygdala.Read moreRead less