Investigating Mechanisms Of Axonal Pathology Following Oligodendrocyte Apoptosis: Avenues For Neuroprotection In Early MS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$678,138.00
Summary
Recent research suggests that Multiple Sclerosis could first be triggered by the death of a type of brain cell called an oligodendrocyte. These cells insulate nerve cells in the brain which help them function normally. We will test the idea that death of oligodendrocytes impairs nerve cell function by causing inflammation and by depriving nerve cells of energy. We will determine whether preventing inflammation and feeding the nerve cells an alternative source of energy can restore normal functio ....Recent research suggests that Multiple Sclerosis could first be triggered by the death of a type of brain cell called an oligodendrocyte. These cells insulate nerve cells in the brain which help them function normally. We will test the idea that death of oligodendrocytes impairs nerve cell function by causing inflammation and by depriving nerve cells of energy. We will determine whether preventing inflammation and feeding the nerve cells an alternative source of energy can restore normal function.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional control of neural stem cell differentiation during development and disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control how neural stem cells differentiate is critical to provide potential therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and for brain cancer. This project will aim to discover, using an animal model system, the genes and molecules regulating these key biological processes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100074
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,000.00
Summary
Facilities for automated high-throughput slide scanning and stereology. The equipment requested will facilitate the work of the Australian Mouse Brain Mapping Consortium, a consortium of Australian research groups collaborating to provide the only mouse model brain mapping capability in the country. The consortium brings together laboratory, neuroimaging and computational expertise in a comprehensive framework for imaging the mouse brain. This will help researchers to study mouse models of genet ....Facilities for automated high-throughput slide scanning and stereology. The equipment requested will facilitate the work of the Australian Mouse Brain Mapping Consortium, a consortium of Australian research groups collaborating to provide the only mouse model brain mapping capability in the country. The consortium brings together laboratory, neuroimaging and computational expertise in a comprehensive framework for imaging the mouse brain. This will help researchers to study mouse models of genetic and acquired disorders across the life-span. Remote viewing and analysis capabilities will help overcome the 'tyranny of distance', increasing national access to the facility. Repositories of digitised images will increase the availability of valuable research material to other Australian and international researchers.Read moreRead less
Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning. In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be ....Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning. In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be used to: develop interventions that improve learning and educational outcomes; counteract age-related memory decline and enable longer work force participation; develop strategies to circumvent the memory loss caused by brain diseases, or improve the design of computer hardware.Read moreRead less
Cellular and Neurochemical Basis of Drug Addiction. Addiction to the major drugs of abuse, including heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol damage the lives and cause premature death of more than 20% of Australians. Addiction produces long-term disruption of brain processes that lead to loss of control over urges to consume drugs and persistent cycles of relapse to drug taking. This research will apply new neurochemical approaches to discover mechanisms of disrupted brain function t ....Cellular and Neurochemical Basis of Drug Addiction. Addiction to the major drugs of abuse, including heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol damage the lives and cause premature death of more than 20% of Australians. Addiction produces long-term disruption of brain processes that lead to loss of control over urges to consume drugs and persistent cycles of relapse to drug taking. This research will apply new neurochemical approaches to discover mechanisms of disrupted brain function that occur during development of addiction and relapse that are critical for development of better strategies to treat the disorder. Read moreRead less
Molecular control of adult neural stem cell quiescence. The objective of this project is to improve our understanding of adult neural stem cell biology and function. Within the central nervous system of the brain, neural stem cells persist throughout adult life. These cells continually produce new neurons that are pivotal for processes including learning and memory, and deficits in adult neurogenesis have been linked to age-related cognitive decline. Adult neural stem cells are predominantly qui ....Molecular control of adult neural stem cell quiescence. The objective of this project is to improve our understanding of adult neural stem cell biology and function. Within the central nervous system of the brain, neural stem cells persist throughout adult life. These cells continually produce new neurons that are pivotal for processes including learning and memory, and deficits in adult neurogenesis have been linked to age-related cognitive decline. Adult neural stem cells are predominantly quiescent, dividing rarely to ensure that they are not prematurely exhausted. However, the factors that maintain this quiescence are very poorly defined. The project aims to understand how stem cell quiescence is controlled at both a molecular and cellular level in vivo within the adult mouse brain.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional regulation of brain size during development. This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms through which intermediate progenitor cell (IPC) formation is regulated within the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex plays a key role in functions central to our existence, including emotion, behaviour, learning and memory. During development, cortical neural stem cells produce neurons via IPCs. This project expects to discover the genetic programs regulating neuronal produc ....Transcriptional regulation of brain size during development. This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms through which intermediate progenitor cell (IPC) formation is regulated within the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex plays a key role in functions central to our existence, including emotion, behaviour, learning and memory. During development, cortical neural stem cells produce neurons via IPCs. This project expects to discover the genetic programs regulating neuronal production, providing significant conceptual advances in this key field. This will provide significant benefits, such as enhancing our understanding of how overall brain size is regulated during development.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101578
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
How does neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus influence learning & memory? One of the primary brain structures critical for learning and memory in animals and humans is the hippocampus, where regulated production of new neurons throughout life (i.e. adult neurogenesis) underpins these cognitive functions. The project aims to unravel how adult-born neurons exert their influence over behaviour by determining when newly born neurons become critical for behaviour and the connections made by these c ....How does neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus influence learning & memory? One of the primary brain structures critical for learning and memory in animals and humans is the hippocampus, where regulated production of new neurons throughout life (i.e. adult neurogenesis) underpins these cognitive functions. The project aims to unravel how adult-born neurons exert their influence over behaviour by determining when newly born neurons become critical for behaviour and the connections made by these cells within the hippocampal network. It aims to provide fundamental new insight into the stages at which these neurons are important for the acquisition of spatial task versus the recall of spatial tasks.Read moreRead less
Operation of nerve cell networks in the neocortex. In humans, intellectual disabilities occur when nerve cells in the neocortex, the most complicated area of the brain, fail to function correctly. The goal of this project is to understand how neocortical areas communicate and how changes in the structure of neurons disturb their function; work that will lead to a better understanding of the operation of the neocortex.
Understanding the generation of hypothalamic sleep neurons. This Project aims to investigate the mechanisms controlling the formation of the sleep neurons in the hypothalamus. We all sleep, and normal sleep-wake cycles play a central role in our biology. The functional role of these sleep neurons in the mature brain are well established. However, how the neurons are generated during development is very poorly defined. This project aims to address this critical knowledge gap, and will greatly inc ....Understanding the generation of hypothalamic sleep neurons. This Project aims to investigate the mechanisms controlling the formation of the sleep neurons in the hypothalamus. We all sleep, and normal sleep-wake cycles play a central role in our biology. The functional role of these sleep neurons in the mature brain are well established. However, how the neurons are generated during development is very poorly defined. This project aims to address this critical knowledge gap, and will greatly increase our understanding of how the development of this critical aspect of organismal function is orchestrated during development. This project will also develop bioinformatics tools with broad utility within the biosciences field and enhance the capacity for interdisciplinary international collaborations.Read moreRead less