Evaluating the Network Neuroscience of Human Cognition to Improve AI. This project will translate the brain’s inherent complexity into a set of explorable networks that will test the network theory of intelligence, and also be used to drive advances in next generation artificial neural networks. Our approach will catalyse new knowledge regarding how the complexity of the brain gives rise to cognition using innovative analyses inspired by physics and engineering. This fresh perspective on cogniti ....Evaluating the Network Neuroscience of Human Cognition to Improve AI. This project will translate the brain’s inherent complexity into a set of explorable networks that will test the network theory of intelligence, and also be used to drive advances in next generation artificial neural networks. Our approach will catalyse new knowledge regarding how the complexity of the brain gives rise to cognition using innovative analyses inspired by physics and engineering. This fresh perspective on cognition will accelerate understanding of normal cognitive function and also advance the development of advances in artificial neural network performance. Expected outcomes include methods to describe the computational signature of how cognition emerges from dynamic brain network activity and novel AI algorithms. Read moreRead less
Role of the complement system in the healthy and diseased central nervous system. The investigation into the role of the immune system in the central nervous system will increase our understanding of the causes behind the neurodegenerative process in aging individuals. This research will also indicate the potential for new types of anti-inflammatory drugs, to be used to slow the neurodegenerative process occurring naturally in the aging brain. These drugs could also be useful in treating drastic ....Role of the complement system in the healthy and diseased central nervous system. The investigation into the role of the immune system in the central nervous system will increase our understanding of the causes behind the neurodegenerative process in aging individuals. This research will also indicate the potential for new types of anti-inflammatory drugs, to be used to slow the neurodegenerative process occurring naturally in the aging brain. These drugs could also be useful in treating drastic neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neuron disease, Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease. Of these, only Parkinson's disease currently has some effective treatments. Community and National benefits would be increased health, decreased stress and major economic savings.Read moreRead less
Physiology of tau protein: a novel role in scaffolding and intracellular distribution. Understanding brain function remains a challenge. This project will study the normal role of the Alzheimer's disease-related protein tau in brain function during ageing. This will significantly enhance current understanding of brain function.
The role of tropomyosin in coordinated neurite branching. This project will explore how nerve cells generate a highly branched network of cell processes which allows all higher functions of the nervous system. We previously discovered the central role of a component of the cell architecture in determining the branching pattern and in this project expect to reveal the molecular basis for its function.
The role of spike patterning in shaping human perception of tactile stimuli. Every touch sensation from our fingertips is conveyed to the brain through the nerves by means of electrical impulses similar to any digital device. Using unique technology developed in our lab we can intercept this neural communication and insert our own messages to test how these signals are interpreted and converted into perceptual experiences. We aim to reveal the rules by which timing of neural signal patterns shap ....The role of spike patterning in shaping human perception of tactile stimuli. Every touch sensation from our fingertips is conveyed to the brain through the nerves by means of electrical impulses similar to any digital device. Using unique technology developed in our lab we can intercept this neural communication and insert our own messages to test how these signals are interpreted and converted into perceptual experiences. We aim to reveal the rules by which timing of neural signal patterns shapes the perception of touch - specifically intensity and frequency of vibration. By recording signals from neurons and by testing human perception, we will learn about neural processing mechanisms. The new knowledge generated about sensory coding will be essential for rendering a virtual sense of touch.Read moreRead less
The encoding of friction by tactile mechanoreceptors - the key to fingertip force control during dexterous object manipulation by humans. Unmatched human ability to control the hand so that brittle objects are gently held without slipping, or being crushed by excessive force rely on sophisticated tactile sense in the fingertips. This project will record and analyse signals which human nerves are sending from fingertip receptors to the brain centres controlling hand actions.
The Neural Bases of Decision-Making. The smooth integration of cognitive and emotional processes is necessary for everyday decisions. Dysfunction in this integrative capacity accompanies dementia, neurodegenerative conditions and major psychiatric disorders. This project seeks to understand the neural bases of this integration in normal decision-making using cutting edge behavioural, cellular, molecular and genetic tools to map the neural system, circuit and cellular processes controlling the se ....The Neural Bases of Decision-Making. The smooth integration of cognitive and emotional processes is necessary for everyday decisions. Dysfunction in this integrative capacity accompanies dementia, neurodegenerative conditions and major psychiatric disorders. This project seeks to understand the neural bases of this integration in normal decision-making using cutting edge behavioural, cellular, molecular and genetic tools to map the neural system, circuit and cellular processes controlling the selection, evaluation and choice of goal-directed actions. Such actions can, with continued practice, transition into relatively inflexible habits. Thus, this project aims to investigate the neural processes that mediate this transition and how actions and habits interact in normal decision-making.Read moreRead less
Sensory mechanisms underlying human dexterity in object manipulation. This project aims to understand the sensory mechanisms and biomechanics underlying sensory encoding. Tactile sensory information is crucial for controlling grip forces so that delicate objects are held without slipping, or being crushed by excessive force. This project will record signals from single human tactile receptors using microneurography. By modelling the neural data with skin biomechanical events, this project aims t ....Sensory mechanisms underlying human dexterity in object manipulation. This project aims to understand the sensory mechanisms and biomechanics underlying sensory encoding. Tactile sensory information is crucial for controlling grip forces so that delicate objects are held without slipping, or being crushed by excessive force. This project will record signals from single human tactile receptors using microneurography. By modelling the neural data with skin biomechanical events, this project aims to reveal sensory mechanisms underlying the human ability to manipulate objects and use tools. This research could lead to next generation sensory-controlled prosthetics and robotic manipulators.Read moreRead less
Phenotyping doublecortin+ cells to unravel human adult neurogenesis. This project investigates one of the brain’s most remarkable phenomena: adult neurogenesis, the birth of new brain cells in a specialised brain area (the hippocampus) occurring well into adulthood. This process contributes to many species’ capacity to learn, remember and regenerate. However whether this process occurs in humans is heavily debated. Using new neuroscience tools, this project will produce new insights into human a ....Phenotyping doublecortin+ cells to unravel human adult neurogenesis. This project investigates one of the brain’s most remarkable phenomena: adult neurogenesis, the birth of new brain cells in a specialised brain area (the hippocampus) occurring well into adulthood. This process contributes to many species’ capacity to learn, remember and regenerate. However whether this process occurs in humans is heavily debated. Using new neuroscience tools, this project will produce new insights into human adult neurogenesis by deeply examining hippocampal cells that express the newborn cell marker, doublecortin. This will enable clarification of the existence and extent of adult neurogenesis in humans, and provide the foundation to leverage this process for improving learning, memory and brain regeneration in people.Read moreRead less
Identifying the basis for perceptual stability and perceptual omission during saccadic eye movements. The ability to explore the world via eye movements is an important feature of visual capabilities. This project will establish how the brain maintains the perception of a stable and stationary world despite the several eye movements made each second. This knowledge will fill a conspicuous gap in the understanding of the human visual system.