Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347278
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,000.00
Summary
Brain Slice Macroscopic Imaging and Electrophysiology Recording System. Electrical signals are the primary mode of communication between excitable cells, in particular, the cells (neurons) that comprise the brain and central nervous system. Understanding of the processes of cell-to-cell communication between neurons is of primary importance to our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as voluntary and reflex movement, sensory responses and learning and memory, as well as providing fundamen ....Brain Slice Macroscopic Imaging and Electrophysiology Recording System. Electrical signals are the primary mode of communication between excitable cells, in particular, the cells (neurons) that comprise the brain and central nervous system. Understanding of the processes of cell-to-cell communication between neurons is of primary importance to our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as voluntary and reflex movement, sensory responses and learning and memory, as well as providing fundamental knowledge of numerous disease states. We are applying for equipment to monitor electrical signals (both visually and electrically) of small groups of cells (neurons) or large groups of interconnected cells (macroscopic complexes) within the brain. Facilities of this type for the visual and electrical recording of cell communication and brain activity will be unique to these Universities in Australia and extremely rare in the scientific world.Read moreRead less
Phospholipids and kinases as regulators of epithelial sodium channels. The intracellular signalling pathways that will be identified in this project will facilitate the development of novel therapies for the many conditions in which the activity of epithelial sodium channels is abnormal. These include influenza, otitis media, high blood pressure and cystic fibrosis. It will also provide training for post-doctoral fellows and research students in a number of the key techniques in modern cellular ....Phospholipids and kinases as regulators of epithelial sodium channels. The intracellular signalling pathways that will be identified in this project will facilitate the development of novel therapies for the many conditions in which the activity of epithelial sodium channels is abnormal. These include influenza, otitis media, high blood pressure and cystic fibrosis. It will also provide training for post-doctoral fellows and research students in a number of the key techniques in modern cellular physiology.Read moreRead less
Investigating the mechanisms of flavonoid actions on glycine receptors. The research to be conducted in this project will use state-of-the-art electrophysiological and molecular biological approaches to carefully characterise the actions of certain flavonoid compounds on the glycine-receptor channel. These compounds have recently been reported to act as modulators of ligand-gated ion channels, proteins integral to brain function and disease. However, no-one has studied in any detail the mechan ....Investigating the mechanisms of flavonoid actions on glycine receptors. The research to be conducted in this project will use state-of-the-art electrophysiological and molecular biological approaches to carefully characterise the actions of certain flavonoid compounds on the glycine-receptor channel. These compounds have recently been reported to act as modulators of ligand-gated ion channels, proteins integral to brain function and disease. However, no-one has studied in any detail the mechanisms by which these compounds act. By discovering their site and mechanisms of action we will further our understanding of these important proteins and their modulation, maintain Australia's significant expertise in this field and provide leads for future development of drugs with potential therapeutic value.Read moreRead less
Calcium signalling in neurons of the central nervous system. Understanding of the processes of cell-to-cell communication between neurons that comprise the brain and central nervous system is of primary importance to our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as voluntary and reflex movement, sensory responses and learning and memory. We would like to obtain a better understanding of how calcium controls neuronal and synaptic function. These studies will combine high-speed fluorescence ima ....Calcium signalling in neurons of the central nervous system. Understanding of the processes of cell-to-cell communication between neurons that comprise the brain and central nervous system is of primary importance to our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as voluntary and reflex movement, sensory responses and learning and memory. We would like to obtain a better understanding of how calcium controls neuronal and synaptic function. These studies will combine high-speed fluorescence imaging, electrophysiological recording, gene transfer using Adeno- and Sindbis viruses, and genetically designed and targeted biosensors to describe key "descriptors" of the calcium signals generated as neurons of the central nervous system ?talk? to each other.Read moreRead less
Understanding how the brain uses sensory information to guide reaching and grasping movements. Reaching, grasping and manipulating objects are crucial aspects of our daily lives, which are performed so effortlessly that they tend to be taken for granted. We know however that these functions take a relatively long time to mature (think of a baby learning how to get an object), and that they can be impaired by brain lesions involving a region called the posterior parietal cortex. We also know that ....Understanding how the brain uses sensory information to guide reaching and grasping movements. Reaching, grasping and manipulating objects are crucial aspects of our daily lives, which are performed so effortlessly that they tend to be taken for granted. We know however that these functions take a relatively long time to mature (think of a baby learning how to get an object), and that they can be impaired by brain lesions involving a region called the posterior parietal cortex. We also know that this region has multiple subdivisions, but how exactly these interact in allowing the sensory information to guide arm and hand muscles is unknown. Discovering how this happens in terms of cellular interaction can have profound implications for the creation of new technologies such as artificial limbs and autonomous robots, and result in health benefits.Read moreRead less
Evolution of sound localisation in vertebrates: head size, sound frequency and neural phase-locking. Hearing is our most important sense for interpersonal communication, yet we have a fragmentary understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in normal hearing. This project addresses the question of how sound location is represented in the brain through the processing of minute time difference with which sounds reach the two ears. The outcome will ultimately enable us to infer how the human brai ....Evolution of sound localisation in vertebrates: head size, sound frequency and neural phase-locking. Hearing is our most important sense for interpersonal communication, yet we have a fragmentary understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in normal hearing. This project addresses the question of how sound location is represented in the brain through the processing of minute time difference with which sounds reach the two ears. The outcome will ultimately enable us to infer how the human brain localises sound, with practical applications for improved virtual auditory realities and hearing aids.Read moreRead less