Neurons and neurotransmitters that control the apnoeic response to irritation of the larynx. Normal function of the larynx enables breathing, cough, singing, speech and many other normal functions. This project will reveal how nerves in the brain coordinate to achieve these many functions; in particular the way that breathing stops if fluid or smoke enters the larynx.
Novel kinases: How do they regulate epithelial ion transport, and what is their role in epithelial function? The project will produce the knowledge of fundamental physiology that will lead to novel approaches for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and cystic fibrosis, as well as for the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and abdomen that accompany many advanced malignancies. It thus has the potential to have a significant economic and social impact in Australia and internation ....Novel kinases: How do they regulate epithelial ion transport, and what is their role in epithelial function? The project will produce the knowledge of fundamental physiology that will lead to novel approaches for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and cystic fibrosis, as well as for the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and abdomen that accompany many advanced malignancies. It thus has the potential to have a significant economic and social impact in Australia and internationally. Furthermore, it will provide advanced training in research methods to Australian scientists, equipping them to undertake challenging and interesting positions in the medical and life sciences and beyond.Read moreRead less
Central command neurons integrating cardiorespiratory drive in exercise. The ability to perform exercise is fundamental to human health and welfare. This ability depends upon the co-ordination by the brain of respiratory and cardiovascular function, such that the delivery of oxygen to exercising muscles is maximised. This project will test the idea that there is a specific group of neurons in the brain that drive both the respiratory and cardiovascular changes that occur during exercise, and w ....Central command neurons integrating cardiorespiratory drive in exercise. The ability to perform exercise is fundamental to human health and welfare. This ability depends upon the co-ordination by the brain of respiratory and cardiovascular function, such that the delivery of oxygen to exercising muscles is maximised. This project will test the idea that there is a specific group of neurons in the brain that drive both the respiratory and cardiovascular changes that occur during exercise, and will determine the location and functions of such neurons. Such new knowledge will help us understand how the brain optimises the ability of the body to perform exercise. This is of fundamental importance in sports science, a field in which Australia excels.Read moreRead less
Phase Contrast X-ray Imaging of the Lung. Lung diseases are a major cause of death in adults, children and newborn infants. Currently, the diagnosis of lung disease is based on clinical symptoms, which usually do not manifest until the disease is well advanced. This project will develop a novel X-ray imaging technique, known as phase contrast imaging, to study the lung, and to potentially detect changes in lung tissue before symptoms arise. This may lead to improved strategies for managing newbo ....Phase Contrast X-ray Imaging of the Lung. Lung diseases are a major cause of death in adults, children and newborn infants. Currently, the diagnosis of lung disease is based on clinical symptoms, which usually do not manifest until the disease is well advanced. This project will develop a novel X-ray imaging technique, known as phase contrast imaging, to study the lung, and to potentially detect changes in lung tissue before symptoms arise. This may lead to improved strategies for managing newborn infants, as well as improving the management of lung diseases in adults.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm for surfactant composition and function - how do lungs cope with stress? Our research will increase the understanding of the scope of change and precise molecular interactions occurring in the surfactant lipids and proteins of animals under physiological stress. The novel insights will improve the treatment of lung diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lung injury). We have formed a team of international surfactant researchers all experts in state-of-th ....A new paradigm for surfactant composition and function - how do lungs cope with stress? Our research will increase the understanding of the scope of change and precise molecular interactions occurring in the surfactant lipids and proteins of animals under physiological stress. The novel insights will improve the treatment of lung diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lung injury). We have formed a team of international surfactant researchers all experts in state-of-the-art chemical and biophysical technologies relating to surfactant. These collaborations will bring new technological applications to Australia and provide outstanding cross-disciplinary training for postgraduate students and research staff at the interface between animal physiology, biophysical chemistry and respiratory medicine.Read moreRead less
Adaptation of respiratory chemoreception: role of inhibitory neuropeptides. The project aims to investigate how the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is involved in respiratory adaptation to hypercapnia. Chemoreceptor neurons in the RTN are crucial for life however, the mechanisms that underlie their basal and stimulated activity, to control breathing, remain to be clarified. This project will investigate the role of galanin in RTN-mediated regulation of breathing. The project looks to determine inst ....Adaptation of respiratory chemoreception: role of inhibitory neuropeptides. The project aims to investigate how the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is involved in respiratory adaptation to hypercapnia. Chemoreceptor neurons in the RTN are crucial for life however, the mechanisms that underlie their basal and stimulated activity, to control breathing, remain to be clarified. This project will investigate the role of galanin in RTN-mediated regulation of breathing. The project looks to determine instructive and multifunctional roles of peptidergic chemosensory neurons and their contribution to local inhibitory control of the respiratory network. New knowledge from the project may in the future assist translational research into respiratory disorders and lead to technological advances.Read moreRead less
Environmental control of genetic/phenotypic interactions in lung development: An evolutionary perspective. Vertebrate lungs all contain morphologically and functionally similar lung lining cells. However, the cellular arrangement (i.e. lung morphology) and the function of the surfactant these cells produce, differs dramatically between species. Hence, a subset of highly conserved lung-specific genes coincides with spectacular phenotypic diversity. How has this diversity evolved? Do environmental ....Environmental control of genetic/phenotypic interactions in lung development: An evolutionary perspective. Vertebrate lungs all contain morphologically and functionally similar lung lining cells. However, the cellular arrangement (i.e. lung morphology) and the function of the surfactant these cells produce, differs dramatically between species. Hence, a subset of highly conserved lung-specific genes coincides with spectacular phenotypic diversity. How has this diversity evolved? Do environmental conditions, birth strategy or phylogenetic relationships determine lung phenotype? We will experimentally manipulate developing lungs and cells to demonstrate how environmental conditions (temperature, oxygen, lung-fluid regulation and neuro-hormonal input) promote evolutionary processes by altering gene expression, protein/lipid synthesis, cellular differentiation and hence lung morphology/function in animals with different birth strategies.Read moreRead less