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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
Verification of a theoretical model of the dynamical genesis of brain electrical activity. The physiological basis for the rhythmic scalp electrical activity known as the alpha rhythm has remained elusive despite being first recorded over eighty years ago. However, one of the applicants (DTJL) has developed a novel theory of the electroencephalogram (EEG) that theoretically articulates the necessary physiological conditions required for the genesis of this activity that is subject to rigorous e ....Verification of a theoretical model of the dynamical genesis of brain electrical activity. The physiological basis for the rhythmic scalp electrical activity known as the alpha rhythm has remained elusive despite being first recorded over eighty years ago. However, one of the applicants (DTJL) has developed a novel theory of the electroencephalogram (EEG) that theoretically articulates the necessary physiological conditions required for the genesis of this activity that is subject to rigorous experimental test. Empirical verification of this theory will pave the way to elucidating the functional importance of large scale brain electrical activity in neural information processing as well as enabling the rational use of the EEG for drug design and diagnosis.Read moreRead less
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
Calcium Signalling and Sequestration at Vertebrate Motor-Nerve Terminals. A fundamental process at Synapses is the release of transmitter from nerve terminals due to the initiation of calcium signalling in the temrinals by impulses. This calcium signalling must be terminated by sequestering processes. The aim of this project is to identify these processes in a vertebrate motor-nerve terminal and to determine the means by which calcium signals the changes in efficacy of transmitter release during ....Calcium Signalling and Sequestration at Vertebrate Motor-Nerve Terminals. A fundamental process at Synapses is the release of transmitter from nerve terminals due to the initiation of calcium signalling in the temrinals by impulses. This calcium signalling must be terminated by sequestering processes. The aim of this project is to identify these processes in a vertebrate motor-nerve terminal and to determine the means by which calcium signals the changes in efficacy of transmitter release during trains of impulses. This work will give a complete description of calcium signalling in a vertebrate nerve terminal and provide the basis for ameliorating failures in transmission from nerve to muscle.Read moreRead less
Inhibitory control of retinal sensitivity. We will determine how the nerve cells that carry information from the eye to the brain are always able to provide signals despite very different environments; daylight, fog and night. Knowledge of how nerve cells achieve this rapid learning is important for any understanding of brain function; it is fundamental if we are to develop machines that see or that help restore vision in humans. The project will provide the world's first look at the synaptic ph ....Inhibitory control of retinal sensitivity. We will determine how the nerve cells that carry information from the eye to the brain are always able to provide signals despite very different environments; daylight, fog and night. Knowledge of how nerve cells achieve this rapid learning is important for any understanding of brain function; it is fundamental if we are to develop machines that see or that help restore vision in humans. The project will provide the world's first look at the synaptic physiology that underpins all visual perception, helping to bring Australia back to the forefront of research in this field. This new collaboration between two successful researchers will attract top quality students and researchers from Australia and abroad and be published in major journals.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
Understanding the neuronal mechanisms underlying inherited epilepsies. Epilepsy is a serious disease that impacts severely on individuals and the community as a whole. Conservative estimates suggest a financial cost of more than $2 billion per annum. Drug treatment for this disease is often not adequate. Recent advances have allowed scientists to determine mutation in human genes that cause epilepsy. New models of epilepsy based on this knowledge will allow us to better understand what causes e ....Understanding the neuronal mechanisms underlying inherited epilepsies. Epilepsy is a serious disease that impacts severely on individuals and the community as a whole. Conservative estimates suggest a financial cost of more than $2 billion per annum. Drug treatment for this disease is often not adequate. Recent advances have allowed scientists to determine mutation in human genes that cause epilepsy. New models of epilepsy based on this knowledge will allow us to better understand what causes epilepsy enabling us to devise new and potent therapeutic strategies to treat the disease.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882275
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Facility for analysing behaviour, learning and motor skills in animal models. Mental disorders are one of the largest costs to the community today and account for more than 50% of the time lost from work. Moreover, these disorders are disabling conditions that relate to fundamental, basic questions of identity and individuality. This collaborative behavioural facility at The University of Queensland will underpin excellent research into how neurological changes affect behaviour and thinking, pro ....Facility for analysing behaviour, learning and motor skills in animal models. Mental disorders are one of the largest costs to the community today and account for more than 50% of the time lost from work. Moreover, these disorders are disabling conditions that relate to fundamental, basic questions of identity and individuality. This collaborative behavioural facility at The University of Queensland will underpin excellent research into how neurological changes affect behaviour and thinking, provide infrastructure to test current models on brain functions, and support the development of new compounds to treat these disorders, thus resulting in significant national and community benefits in improved health outcomes and increased work productivity.Read moreRead less