Spontaneous activity and neural decoding in the developing brain. This project aims to investigate how patterns of neural activity emerge in the developing brain, using the zebrafish as a model system. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the functional significance of spontaneously generated activity, and how it interacts with sensory experience. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity at the interface between neuroscience and computation. This should ....Spontaneous activity and neural decoding in the developing brain. This project aims to investigate how patterns of neural activity emerge in the developing brain, using the zebrafish as a model system. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the functional significance of spontaneously generated activity, and how it interacts with sensory experience. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity at the interface between neuroscience and computation. This should provide significant benefits including greater insight into normal brain development, and the formulation of new concepts potentially relevant for brain-inspired computing.Read moreRead less
How does environmental enrichment affect brain development? This project aims to use brain imaging and advanced computational analyses to investigate how early sensory experience affects brain development. It adopts the larval zebrafish as a model system, since they display sophisticated behaviours from an early age, and neural activity can be recorded at whole-brain scale with single neuron resolution. The project aims to generate new knowledge regarding environmental effects on brain developme ....How does environmental enrichment affect brain development? This project aims to use brain imaging and advanced computational analyses to investigate how early sensory experience affects brain development. It adopts the larval zebrafish as a model system, since they display sophisticated behaviours from an early age, and neural activity can be recorded at whole-brain scale with single neuron resolution. The project aims to generate new knowledge regarding environmental effects on brain development and behaviour. This will provide significant benefits including greater insight into normal brain development, and the formulation of new concepts potentially relevant for brain-inspired computing. The expected outcomes also include enhanced capacity at the interface between neuroscience and computation.Read moreRead less
How do patterns of brain activity emerge during early life? This project uses theory and experiment to investigate how neural coding emerges in the developing brain. It adopts the larval zebrafish as a model system, because neural activity can be recorded at whole-brain scale but with single neuron resolution. The project expects to generate new knowledge regarding how neural activity comes to represent sensory stimuli, and new statistical models for interpreting large-scale patterns of neural a ....How do patterns of brain activity emerge during early life? This project uses theory and experiment to investigate how neural coding emerges in the developing brain. It adopts the larval zebrafish as a model system, because neural activity can be recorded at whole-brain scale but with single neuron resolution. The project expects to generate new knowledge regarding how neural activity comes to represent sensory stimuli, and new statistical models for interpreting large-scale patterns of neural activity. This will provide significant benefits including greater insight into normal brain development, and the formulation of new concepts potentially relevant for brain-inspired computing. The expected outcomes also include enhanced capacity at the interface between neuroscience and computation.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of nerve fibre guidance by molecular gradients. Brain wiring is crucial for brain function. The project will investigate the basic principles underlying the development of brain wiring, using both experiments and mathematical models. This will lead a predictive model of how wiring develops, both in normal and abnormal situations.
A new theory for retinotectal map formation. How brains become wired up during development is a question of
importance to both biology and computing. In this project we adopt a
novel computational approach to understanding the development of
topographic maps, a wiring pattern that is ubiquitous in biological
nervous systems. This project will build capacity for research in
computational neuroscience in Australia. It may also lead to
technological benefits such as new ideas for the design o ....A new theory for retinotectal map formation. How brains become wired up during development is a question of
importance to both biology and computing. In this project we adopt a
novel computational approach to understanding the development of
topographic maps, a wiring pattern that is ubiquitous in biological
nervous systems. This project will build capacity for research in
computational neuroscience in Australia. It may also lead to
technological benefits such as new ideas for the design of self-wiring
computing devices, and new insights into
the causes of wiring defects both during normal development and
rewiring after injury.
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Corpus callosum function in decision making. This project aims to investigate how the major connection between the two brain hemispheres (called the corpus callosum) is involved in higher cognitive functions such as decision making, learning, knowledge updating, and performance optimisation. New knowledge will be generated in the area of human cognition by combining computational theory with measures of cognition and brain MRI. Expected outcomes are to develop and advance computational models o ....Corpus callosum function in decision making. This project aims to investigate how the major connection between the two brain hemispheres (called the corpus callosum) is involved in higher cognitive functions such as decision making, learning, knowledge updating, and performance optimisation. New knowledge will be generated in the area of human cognition by combining computational theory with measures of cognition and brain MRI. Expected outcomes are to develop and advance computational models of human brain function and structure through interdisciplinary collaboration by combing theory and experimentation. Significant benefits will be to advance our understanding of the brain and enhance Australia's scientific capability through training and collaboration.Read moreRead less
Understanding Cortical Circuitry Underlying Sensory Integration And The Consequence Of Its Developmental Disruption
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,395.00
Summary
The mammalian neocortex is organised into six layers with a systematic pattern of wiring that relies on normal development and balanced activity of neurons. This project combines developmental, electrophysiological, optogenetic behavioural, and computational methods to establish how the properties of the precise structure of cortical circuits impact their function and how disruptions in the balanced activity during development affect circuit formation and function in the mature brain.
Dopamine Neuron Ontogeny: Convergent Neurobiological Pathway For Risk Factors Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,214.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in dopamine (a signalling molecule in the brain). These changes are present prior to psychosis, suggesting they begin early in development. Our aims are to manipulate key factors in the development of brain dopamine systems to clarify their role in psychosis and schizophrenia. This work has the potential to identify early brain changes that lead to schizophrenia, which in turn may generate better diagnoses and outcomes for people with this disorder.
Delayed Radial Glial Maturation Linked To NFI Deficiency As An Underlying Cause Of Cortical Defects In Humans And Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$801,979.00
Summary
The timely generation of neurons and glia is important for brain development and consequently brain function throughout life. Nuclear factor I (NFI) genes are important for regulating the production of neurons and glia, and people with disrupted NFI genes have severe cognitive and motor deficits. Using human genetic data and mouse models, we will analyse how disrupting these genes affects brain development, and changes the overall structure and wiring of the cerebral cortex as well as behaviour.
Normal And Abnormal Development Of Brain Wiring And Its Impact On Brain Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
My laboratory is striving to understand how the patterns of neuronal connections form in the developing brain and how these underpin the functions of the brain throughout life. We use high-field magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain wiring and we investigate the genetic and environmental mechanisms causing developmental brain disorders that result in intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy and some mental illnesses.