Activity-based chemogenetics: a novel approach to modulating brain function. Aim: To unravel the astounding complexity of the vertebrate brain by developing a completely novel method, that enables manipulation of the activity of defined nerve cells to study behaviour. Significance: Such technical advances are essential for understanding the intricate function of the brain. Expected outcomes: We will provide a technical advance of broad scope that will lead to novel neuroscience throughout the wo ....Activity-based chemogenetics: a novel approach to modulating brain function. Aim: To unravel the astounding complexity of the vertebrate brain by developing a completely novel method, that enables manipulation of the activity of defined nerve cells to study behaviour. Significance: Such technical advances are essential for understanding the intricate function of the brain. Expected outcomes: We will provide a technical advance of broad scope that will lead to novel neuroscience throughout the world. We will also increase understanding of body weight control through the experiments planned to validate our tool. Benefit: Our technical advance has the potential to alter experimental protocols, and the information obtained by experimental neuroscience, across all areas attempting to understand brain function.Read moreRead less
A novel sensory neural circuit has been identified innervating the airways and lungs. The anatomical organisation of this circuit has been described to some extent in previous studies, however there is a significant gap in knowledge with respect to its functional importance. This project will develop methods to address this knowledge gap and in doing so the project will firstly describe how this circuit controls breathing under normal conditions and secondly how this becomes dysregulated during
How the gut nervous system interacts with bacteria. This project aims to reveal how the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract interacts with the gut microbiota. Gut function has largely been studied without considering microbiota. The project will use genetically modified animal models, image analysis of gut motility and sequencing of gut microbes, and develop neurophysiological methods to understand gut function. Expected benefits include better understanding of mechanisms u ....How the gut nervous system interacts with bacteria. This project aims to reveal how the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract interacts with the gut microbiota. Gut function has largely been studied without considering microbiota. The project will use genetically modified animal models, image analysis of gut motility and sequencing of gut microbes, and develop neurophysiological methods to understand gut function. Expected benefits include better understanding of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance, risks associated with discretionary caesarean sections and the benefits of breastfeeding.Read moreRead less
How the brain regulates blood pressure. This project will test whether a group of nerve cells in the rostral ventrolateral medulla generate sympathetic activity in blood vessels. The brain regulates blood pressure through several pathways, including nerves in the sympathetic nervous system that constrict blood vessels and increase the heart rate. Activity of these sympathetic nerves regulates blood pressure, but it is unknown which nerve cells in the brain cause this activity. This information i ....How the brain regulates blood pressure. This project will test whether a group of nerve cells in the rostral ventrolateral medulla generate sympathetic activity in blood vessels. The brain regulates blood pressure through several pathways, including nerves in the sympathetic nervous system that constrict blood vessels and increase the heart rate. Activity of these sympathetic nerves regulates blood pressure, but it is unknown which nerve cells in the brain cause this activity. This information is essential to understand how blood pressure is controlled under healthy conditions.Read moreRead less
Understanding brain mechanisms that control autonomic function. This project aims to understand the how the brain regulates sympathetic nerve activity, thereby increasing our understanding of the biology and function of nascent neurons on the adult brain stem. This challenges the current notion that new neurons are only made during development. The project will also determine how brain inflammation impacts blood-brain barrier function and affects sympathetic nerve regulation. The basic fundament ....Understanding brain mechanisms that control autonomic function. This project aims to understand the how the brain regulates sympathetic nerve activity, thereby increasing our understanding of the biology and function of nascent neurons on the adult brain stem. This challenges the current notion that new neurons are only made during development. The project will also determine how brain inflammation impacts blood-brain barrier function and affects sympathetic nerve regulation. The basic fundamental insights and conceptual advances into how autonomic function is controlled by the brain will provide a better understanding of these fundamental processes and will contribute to Australia’s priority research areas to improve health and advance product development.Read moreRead less
Behaviour of large networks of neurons in a functioning organ: a realistic computer-based model of the enteric nervous system. The organisation of the gut nervous system is well understood, but how nerve cells cooperate to control gut movements and secretions are matters of conjecture. We will test these conjectures by simulating the behaviour of the gut nervous system using an anatomically and physiologically realistic computer model to predict the way the gut responds to specific stimuli and t ....Behaviour of large networks of neurons in a functioning organ: a realistic computer-based model of the enteric nervous system. The organisation of the gut nervous system is well understood, but how nerve cells cooperate to control gut movements and secretions are matters of conjecture. We will test these conjectures by simulating the behaviour of the gut nervous system using an anatomically and physiologically realistic computer model to predict the way the gut responds to specific stimuli and test these predictions using novel methods for recording gut movements and nervous activity. This will provide the first complete description of how a mammalian nervous system generates complex behaviours and will provide substantial pointers to how other nervous systems achieve similar tasks.Read moreRead less
Pontine control of adaptive breathing behaviour in health and disease. This project will develop an understanding of the fundamental brain mechanisms associated with adaptive breathing during behaviour such as speech or swallowing. Adaptive breathing is impaired in lung disease, dementia and autism. This project will provide new insight to global brain function and treatment of central respiratory disorder.