Investigating Action Potential Initiation And Propagation In Neurons Using Voltage-sensitive Dyes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,076.00
Summary
Nerve impulses, or action potentials, are the fundamental electrical signals used by the nervous system for communication. Critical to an understanding of neuronal function is the knowledge of where these events are initiated and how they propagate. Furthermore, this knowledge is required for understanding what goes wrong under conditions where there is a disturbance in neuronal communication, as occurs in many neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
Dissecting The Molecular Mechanisms Driving Cell Migration During Neurulation Triggered By The Netrin Receptor, Neogenin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,750.00
Summary
In humans, abnormalities in brain and spinal cord formation during early embryogenesis result in congenital syndromes such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These defects occur at a rate of 1-1000 pregnancies and are therefore a major contributor to pre- and perinatal deaths. In the early embryo, the brain and spinal cord begin as a hollow tube of cells (the neural tube) that subsequently expands into the complex structures seen at birth. It is known that the neural tube is formed by a complex pr ....In humans, abnormalities in brain and spinal cord formation during early embryogenesis result in congenital syndromes such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These defects occur at a rate of 1-1000 pregnancies and are therefore a major contributor to pre- and perinatal deaths. In the early embryo, the brain and spinal cord begin as a hollow tube of cells (the neural tube) that subsequently expands into the complex structures seen at birth. It is known that the neural tube is formed by a complex process in which early neural cells migrate toward the midline of the embryo and subsequently coalesce. This project seeks to determine the function of one molecular signaling pathway (the neogenin pathway) that has been implicated in driving these cell migration events. We will initially use the frog, Xenopus laevis, as our embryonic model since the developmental processes that form the Xenopus neural tube closely parallel those ocurring in the human embryo. This model will allow us to identify the molecules in the neogenin signaling pathway. We will also create mice that carry a mutation in the neogenin gene so that we can study neogenin function in the mammal. We anticipate that these studies will provide important insights into the development of the central nervous system and also into the aberrant molecular processes underlying neural tube defects in man.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Brain Development By Members Of The Fibroblast Growth Factor Family
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$65,685.00
Summary
The brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is made up of many different types of cells broadly classified into two classes called neurons and glia. The growth of the brain from a small population of immature neuroepithelial cells to many different types of neurons and glia is controlled by small potent proteins called growth factors. We understand that many different families of growth factors are involved in the development of the brain but not how they do what they do. We are studying ....The brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is made up of many different types of cells broadly classified into two classes called neurons and glia. The growth of the brain from a small population of immature neuroepithelial cells to many different types of neurons and glia is controlled by small potent proteins called growth factors. We understand that many different families of growth factors are involved in the development of the brain but not how they do what they do. We are studying the members of one particular family known as the Fibroblast Growth Factor family or FGFs. We want to find out how they instruct young brain cells to grow and divide and turn into mature neurons.Read moreRead less