Determination Of Sympathetic Preganglionic Neuronal Phenotype
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,527.00
Summary
The nervous system is the single most complex part of our body. Its function depends on millions of connections between neurons, all of which must form correctly during development. Furthermore, each neuron must select a neurotransmitter with which to talk to its target neuron. A neurotransmitter is a chemical released from a neuron, which passes a signal to a target cell. Some neurotransmitters cause excitation of the target cell, others inhibition. Each neurotransmitter signals to the target c ....The nervous system is the single most complex part of our body. Its function depends on millions of connections between neurons, all of which must form correctly during development. Furthermore, each neuron must select a neurotransmitter with which to talk to its target neuron. A neurotransmitter is a chemical released from a neuron, which passes a signal to a target cell. Some neurotransmitters cause excitation of the target cell, others inhibition. Each neurotransmitter signals to the target cell via receptor molecule, matched to the neurotransmitter. Thus, a neuron is faced not only with making choices about what connections to make within the developing brain, but also it must select from a range of potential neurotransmitters and receptor molecules. We are interested in how neurons select the appropriate neurotransmitter. There are a number of ways that a neuron might be guided to the correct choice. It is possible that it could receive from the target cell a signal that guides the choice of neurotransmitter. We wish to examine this hypothesis to see if it is applicable to the autonomic nervous system, that part of the nervous system that controls functions like changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Our laboratory is expert in identifying the chemistry of autonomic neurons. We will use this knowledge to see what happens when we deliberately perturb the normal connections of autonomic neurons. Do they persist in expressing the neurotransmitters they would have done prior to the perturbation? Alternatively, do they adapt to the change of target via a signal received from the new target cell and express the appropriate phenotype? The results of these experiments will give insights into how the brain develops. The results will be important for both our basic understanding of biology and as a basis for the development of techniques for reversing neuronal damage.Read moreRead less
Effects Of Intestinal Inflammation On Functioning Of Enteric Neurons: From Animal Models To Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,206.00
Summary
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two debilitating conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), affect more than 61,000 Australians. There is no cure for IBD. All gut functions are controlled by enteric neurons in the gut wall. Inflammation causes damage and death of these neurons leading to gut dysfunctions. This is the first study defining the classes of human enteric neurons affected by inflammation. This study will test several potential new targets for the treatment of IBD.
Robust transmission, identification and key agreement in communications networks. This project identifies significant, innovative directions to achieve robust data transmission, identification and key agreement in networks. It presents the information and communication technology industry with new and profitable markets, contributing to wealth creation, employment and exports. Immediate benefits are: 1. Contribution to the growing knowledge base and fundamental capabilities in networks; 2. Crea ....Robust transmission, identification and key agreement in communications networks. This project identifies significant, innovative directions to achieve robust data transmission, identification and key agreement in networks. It presents the information and communication technology industry with new and profitable markets, contributing to wealth creation, employment and exports. Immediate benefits are: 1. Contribution to the growing knowledge base and fundamental capabilities in networks; 2. Creation and commercialization of valuable intellectual property; 3. Education of future leading academic and industrial innovators within Australia; 4. High international profile of Australian communications and information technology research.
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Closing the Gap: Fundamental Capacity Limits for Interfering Wireless Networks and Practical Methods to Get There. Enhancing communication networks to achieve broadband data rates is now a national priority. Wireless communications is hugely important, with mobile phones, wireless computers, and wireless Internet access to homes, all rapidly growing areas. This project addresses the fundamental bottleneck of interference between links in wireless networks. Wireless unplugs the user and allows hi ....Closing the Gap: Fundamental Capacity Limits for Interfering Wireless Networks and Practical Methods to Get There. Enhancing communication networks to achieve broadband data rates is now a national priority. Wireless communications is hugely important, with mobile phones, wireless computers, and wireless Internet access to homes, all rapidly growing areas. This project addresses the fundamental bottleneck of interference between links in wireless networks. Wireless unplugs the user and allows him/her to roam, and to set up ad-hoc networks with other users. This research will thus contribute to Australia's increased productivity. Just as importantly, this project addresses fundamental research; it will increase Australia's knowledge base and provide training for students and researchers in how to think about communications problems.Read moreRead less
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Construction methods and analysis tools for repeat-accumulate error correction codes. Error correction codes play an integral role in digital communications systems, enabling technologies such as compact-disk players, hard-disk drives, high-speed modems, digital audio broadcasting and deep-space communications. This project develops the techniques which underlie the success of next-generation error correction technologies and thus addresses an important and fundamental problem in the area of inf ....Construction methods and analysis tools for repeat-accumulate error correction codes. Error correction codes play an integral role in digital communications systems, enabling technologies such as compact-disk players, hard-disk drives, high-speed modems, digital audio broadcasting and deep-space communications. This project develops the techniques which underlie the success of next-generation error correction technologies and thus addresses an important and fundamental problem in the area of information and communications technology (ICT). The nature of the project presents significant potential for project outcomes to be beneficial to the Australian telecommunications industry in a wide range of application areas including wireless networks, mobile communications, and data storage.
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