Subcellular recruitment of a RhoA ubiquitination complex by Rnd proteins. This study addresses a novel molecular mechanism through which members of the Rnd family of GTP-binding proteins regulate the morphology and migration of immature nerve cells of the developing nervous system. This study has broad implications for the understanding of cell migration during embryo development, as well as in health and disease.
Assessing the mechanisms and dynamics of myelination in the brain. This project is expected to refine our understanding of brain plasticity by revealing how myelin plasticity optimises brain function in response to experience. Using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating animal studies, mathematical modelling and computational neuroscience, the project seeks to redefine our understanding of myelin remodelling using an entirely new integrated cell-to-system approach. The expected outcome is f ....Assessing the mechanisms and dynamics of myelination in the brain. This project is expected to refine our understanding of brain plasticity by revealing how myelin plasticity optimises brain function in response to experience. Using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating animal studies, mathematical modelling and computational neuroscience, the project seeks to redefine our understanding of myelin remodelling using an entirely new integrated cell-to-system approach. The expected outcome is fundamental knowledge revealing how myelination is dynamically regulated by neural activity throughout life. This may transform current understanding of neuroplasticity that could aid in the future development of strategies to improve brain health.Read moreRead less
Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor c ....Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor cell types that structure the nervous system are generated and how their neuronal derivatives form connectivity and functional synapses. The outcome of these studies is that we will establish a cellular model of human neurogenesis that can be utilised to study developmental disease processes.Read moreRead less
A toxic cycle of inflammation and iron in the ageing brain. This project investigates why our brain cells gradually die as we grow older. We believe that infections and inflammation in other parts of the body cause iron to accumulate in the brain and become toxic. Iron supplements and ageing may make this situation worse. The results of this study could lead to new treatments for memory loss and dementia.