The development and testing of a device to enhance the application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. This project aims to develop and evaluate a new device designed to substantially enhance the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, a technology, which is increasingly being applied in the treatment of disorders such as depression, as well as in the study of normal and abnormal brain function.
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
Advanced computational algorithms for brain imaging studies of freely moving animals. Current brain imaging technology requires the animal to be unconscious. This project will remove this barrier by developing computational algorithms that measure brain function in freely moving animals. These technologies will provide brain scientists with new tools to study behaviour altering diseases, such as schizophrenia and depression.
Conformal Bionics - addressing the challenges in bringing miniaturised implants to the site of therapeutic delivery. Smaller, more sophisticated, lifetime-implantable bionic devices capable of being placed at the site of therapeutic delivery will facilitate new or improved opportunities for treatment of disease. Three critical areas of research aim to be explored in pursuit of this goal will be addressed within this study: introduction of new fabrication materials that enable devices to conform ....Conformal Bionics - addressing the challenges in bringing miniaturised implants to the site of therapeutic delivery. Smaller, more sophisticated, lifetime-implantable bionic devices capable of being placed at the site of therapeutic delivery will facilitate new or improved opportunities for treatment of disease. Three critical areas of research aim to be explored in pursuit of this goal will be addressed within this study: introduction of new fabrication materials that enable devices to conform to the anatomy of the targeted site of therapeutic delivery; improved means of addressing the data and energy transfer needs of devices implanted in confined spaces; and innovation of novel sensors for testing and monitoring of atmospheric conditions within the implant to anticipate and safely manage issues relating to a breach of hermetic encapsulation barriers.Read moreRead less
Roles of the kynurenine pathway in physiological and pathological brain function. This project will aim to study the metabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan in the brain and its involvement in diseases including multiple sclerosis and brain tumours.
Nanoliposomal delivery of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to neuronal cells. Omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential for brain function. They are effective as adjunct treatments for depression, but at high doses. The project will develop nanoliposomes to target delivery of DHA to brain cells. Efficient delivery of DHA to brain cells will increase its effectiveness as a dietary supplement and lessen the burden of disease.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100196
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,638,208.00
Summary
New dimensions in organic bionics. The advent of the next generation of medical bionic devices is critically dependent on advances in multifunctional organic materials that, like living systems, provide spatial and temporal control. These advances will provide a platform to revolutionise medical treatments such as nerve and muscle regeneration, with impact on neural prosthetics.
Genetic dissection of functional-structural connectivity using optogenetic fMRI and dMRI tractography. The project will map the connectivity pattern of genetically defined neurons in mouse brain by combining state of the art molecular and neuroscience imaging technology. The outcome will be a significant step toward building a complete functional and structural mapping resource, with application for examining dysfunction in neurological disease models.
A novel approach to diffusion MRI for greatly improved imaging of brain white matter and its connectivity. In this project, innovative new imaging and reconstruction techniques will be developed to provide images of brain connectivity, with unprecedented detail. Such images will allow extremely detailed investigations into the white matter connections that allow brain regions to communicate, and improve our understanding of how the brain operates.
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.