Structural neurobiology - developing a new capability in Australia to treat mental illness. Mental illness encompasses a multitude of devastating conditions that present a major burden to the Australian economy. In this project powerful tools for determining the three-dimensional shapes and functions of proteins will be utilised to gain new knowledge about the molecular bases of various mental illnesses. The project will involve extensive use of the Australian Synchrotron Facility that is due to ....Structural neurobiology - developing a new capability in Australia to treat mental illness. Mental illness encompasses a multitude of devastating conditions that present a major burden to the Australian economy. In this project powerful tools for determining the three-dimensional shapes and functions of proteins will be utilised to gain new knowledge about the molecular bases of various mental illnesses. The project will involve extensive use of the Australian Synchrotron Facility that is due to open in 2007. This knowledge gained from the project will be used to develop new therapeutic drugs to ameliorate or combat mental diseases in partnership with the Australian Biotechnology Industry.Read moreRead less
The cortical location of hunger and thirst: a multifunctional study in sheep. The escalating problems associated with obesity are immense. These effects contribute to a global epidemic that now eclipses both infectious diseases and (ironically) undernutrition in its proportions. The effects of disorders of thirst are less apparent but potentially devastating albeit on a smaller scale. The elderly and psychotic in the community have impaired thirst mechanisms which impacts on their life in a dra ....The cortical location of hunger and thirst: a multifunctional study in sheep. The escalating problems associated with obesity are immense. These effects contribute to a global epidemic that now eclipses both infectious diseases and (ironically) undernutrition in its proportions. The effects of disorders of thirst are less apparent but potentially devastating albeit on a smaller scale. The elderly and psychotic in the community have impaired thirst mechanisms which impacts on their life in a dramatic way particularly during prolonged hot weather. The aims of these experiments are to understand the basic brain mechanisms that underpin these drives. This understanding will have far reaching repercussions for the community both in terms of promoting good health and in preventative health care.
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Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. Psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders, are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although standard dogma suggests that psychiatric disorders are a consequence of living with epilepsy, recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between these disorders, such that depression and other psychiatric illnesses act as risk factors for epilepsy development. This project will utilise basic science approaches to und ....Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. Psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders, are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although standard dogma suggests that psychiatric disorders are a consequence of living with epilepsy, recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between these disorders, such that depression and other psychiatric illnesses act as risk factors for epilepsy development. This project will utilise basic science approaches to understand the causal relationships between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, and determine how and why psychiatric disorders and epilepsy co-exist. It is hoped that research conducted in this project will develop novel avenues to treatment of both epilepsy and psychiatric disorders.Read moreRead less
UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR. This project is anchored in the fundamental understanding of complex vertebrate behaviours, namely cognition. Little is known about the molecular and neural substrates underpinning complex higher order information processing. This project aims to dissect the functional role of synaptic genes that are essential for organising neuronal connections, in distinct cognitive processes and how these functions may be regulated by other genes, drugs or environ ....UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR. This project is anchored in the fundamental understanding of complex vertebrate behaviours, namely cognition. Little is known about the molecular and neural substrates underpinning complex higher order information processing. This project aims to dissect the functional role of synaptic genes that are essential for organising neuronal connections, in distinct cognitive processes and how these functions may be regulated by other genes, drugs or environmental factors. This project aims to employ state-of-the-art technologies to address the evolutionary biology of complex cognitive behaviours, towards further understandings how brain function evolved and the mechanisms that have enabled humans to perform highly complex and intricate tasks.Read moreRead less
I am a neuroscientist employing strategies of anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics and behavioural analysis to examine the physiological and possible pathological roles of newly discovered neuropeptides and their cognate receptors in mammalian brain. My recent research has focused on the highly-conserved, abundant peptide, relaxin-3 that was discovered at the HFI in 2002. Studies so far have revealed that relaxin-3 is a powerful modulator of rhythmic brain activity (theta) and spatial m ....I am a neuroscientist employing strategies of anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics and behavioural analysis to examine the physiological and possible pathological roles of newly discovered neuropeptides and their cognate receptors in mammalian brain. My recent research has focused on the highly-conserved, abundant peptide, relaxin-3 that was discovered at the HFI in 2002. Studies so far have revealed that relaxin-3 is a powerful modulator of rhythmic brain activity (theta) and spatial memory, and alters feeding, body weight and arousal. Relaxin-3 levels in brain are also strongly activated by acute stress. In the future, I aim to elucidate further the role of relaxin-3 systems in normal physiology and metabolic and-or psychiatric diseases.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101505
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Visual computation in the primate brain: circuits for motion processing. This project will investigate the neural mechanism that mediates motion detection, a fundamental visual function. Although computational theories have been developed to explain how neurons can detect moving objects and patterns, it has been very difficult to investigate how (or if) the models are implemented in the visual cortex. This project will examine controversial aspects of current theories. Using innovative methods, ....Visual computation in the primate brain: circuits for motion processing. This project will investigate the neural mechanism that mediates motion detection, a fundamental visual function. Although computational theories have been developed to explain how neurons can detect moving objects and patterns, it has been very difficult to investigate how (or if) the models are implemented in the visual cortex. This project will examine controversial aspects of current theories. Using innovative methods, the project will characterise neurons connected in a motion detection circuit for the first time, as well as study how they function after a critical component in the circuit is shut off. The research will lead to a better understanding of how visual experience is created by the brain and will have implications in computer vision and bionics.Read moreRead less
Improving neuronal cell function with cell permeable copper complexes. Metal-based drugs offer an exciting new approach to treatment of neurodegeneration. However, little is known about how cells metabolise these drugs and this information is critical for further drug development. This project will determine how metal-based drugs are metabolised by neuronal cells and how this may result in therapeutic benefit.
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.
How neurons regulate the myelinating process. This project aims to identify novel mechanisms that govern brain myelination and functions. Myelination in the brain is a lifelong process that is vital for normal nervous system functions. This project will generate a new level of understanding as to why nerve cell signals are important for myelination and brain functions, and how this is tightly regulated by cell signal transmission. The data generated will identify new mechanisms involved in the ....How neurons regulate the myelinating process. This project aims to identify novel mechanisms that govern brain myelination and functions. Myelination in the brain is a lifelong process that is vital for normal nervous system functions. This project will generate a new level of understanding as to why nerve cell signals are important for myelination and brain functions, and how this is tightly regulated by cell signal transmission. The data generated will identify new mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of a healthy brain.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101272
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,885.00
Summary
Glial Plasticity: How experience and aging change brain structure. 50 % of the cells in the brain are called glia. These cells work with neurons to regulate how we think, feel and behave. Most glial cells are added to the brain after birth, however we know very little about how this process works, or how it may be changed by lived-experience. The overarching aim of this study is to better understand how lived-experience impacts the growth of the major types of glial cells in the brain. To do th ....Glial Plasticity: How experience and aging change brain structure. 50 % of the cells in the brain are called glia. These cells work with neurons to regulate how we think, feel and behave. Most glial cells are added to the brain after birth, however we know very little about how this process works, or how it may be changed by lived-experience. The overarching aim of this study is to better understand how lived-experience impacts the growth of the major types of glial cells in the brain. To do this, I will use cutting-edge technologies and identify; 1) the rates of cell growth for the major types of glia, and 2) map how they are integrated into the brain. This will lead to important new information on how lived-experience can shape the growth and structure of the brain.Read moreRead less