Central pathways regulating visceral pain. This project aims to investigate the neural pathways within the spinal cord and brain processing colorectal pain perception. The project aims to identify the spinal cord neurons relaying colorectal signalling into the brain and the influence of descending modulation from the brainstem upon these pathways. The outcomes will greatly benefit fundamental understanding of the central pathways processing visceral pain.
Cellular bases of enteric neural circuitry underlying gut propulsion. This project aims to investigate the neural bases of behaviour in the mammalian gut. The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a critical role in the propulsion of intestinal contents. This project expects to establish how specific functional classes of enteric neurons control propulsion along the gut. By recording the simultaneous neural activity from hundreds of different functional classes of enteric nerve cells simultaneously ....Cellular bases of enteric neural circuitry underlying gut propulsion. This project aims to investigate the neural bases of behaviour in the mammalian gut. The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a critical role in the propulsion of intestinal contents. This project expects to establish how specific functional classes of enteric neurons control propulsion along the gut. By recording the simultaneous neural activity from hundreds of different functional classes of enteric nerve cells simultaneously, whilst recording intestinal muscle electrical activity and the movements of the gut wall, the project expects to identify which enteric neurochemical classes of neurons generate specific motor patterns along the intestine.Read moreRead less
Plasticity of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. The aim of this project is to identify how leptin modulates specific subtypes of vagal afferent within the gut and the plasticity of this system under different dietary conditions. This proposed project will substantially increase understanding of the interactions between leptin, known to influence food intake, and vagal afferent satiety signals. It will also increase understanding of how these interactions alter in obesity and ultimately provide t ....Plasticity of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. The aim of this project is to identify how leptin modulates specific subtypes of vagal afferent within the gut and the plasticity of this system under different dietary conditions. This proposed project will substantially increase understanding of the interactions between leptin, known to influence food intake, and vagal afferent satiety signals. It will also increase understanding of how these interactions alter in obesity and ultimately provide targets and/or concepts for the pharmacotherapy of obesity.Read moreRead less
Ultradian rhythms in basal metabolism; relationship to thermoregulation, cardiovascular function and behavioural arousal. Results from this project will be of basic theoretical biological importance, and may well provide a foundation for understanding basal metabolic regulation and its link with cardiovascular function. Our findings may provide a new foundation for discovering strategies that alter basal metabolic rate in a manner that improves health and reduces the incidence of obesity related ....Ultradian rhythms in basal metabolism; relationship to thermoregulation, cardiovascular function and behavioural arousal. Results from this project will be of basic theoretical biological importance, and may well provide a foundation for understanding basal metabolic regulation and its link with cardiovascular function. Our findings may provide a new foundation for discovering strategies that alter basal metabolic rate in a manner that improves health and reduces the incidence of obesity related disease such as heart attack and stroke. Thus this research proposal is of special relevance to National Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. Obesity and obesity-related medical conditions particularly affect older people, so that our research is also highly relevant to National Research Priority 2 sub-areas: Ageing well, Ageing productively.Read moreRead less
Novel computational tools for the analysis of sympathetic nervous system activity. This project will investigate electrical signals from the heart, resulting in novel tools for the assessment of sympathetic nervous system activity. The findings will contribute to advancing Australia's international leading position in health technology and improve community health.
Mapping sites of visceral convergence connecting the colon and bladder. This project aims to develop multiple neuroanatomical approaches to identify where in the central nervous system the sensory signalling from the colon and bladder merge. The combination of such technologies is novel to the study of the central circuits relaying colon/bladder convergence into the brain and will generate new and detailed knowledge of the central pathways in which pelvic organ sensory (discomfort) and motor (de ....Mapping sites of visceral convergence connecting the colon and bladder. This project aims to develop multiple neuroanatomical approaches to identify where in the central nervous system the sensory signalling from the colon and bladder merge. The combination of such technologies is novel to the study of the central circuits relaying colon/bladder convergence into the brain and will generate new and detailed knowledge of the central pathways in which pelvic organ sensory (discomfort) and motor (defecation/urination) functions are coordinated. The expected outcomes are predicted to aid future discovery of mechanisms of cross-organ sensitisation and are anticipated to provide significant benefit to therapy development for chronic visceral pain syndromes associated with bowel and bladder dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Toll Like Receptor signalling as a mediator of sex differences in pain, opioid and alcohol action. Brain immunology will be examined in this project to see if the signalling of a receptor called Toll Like Receptor 4 can explain sex differences in pain, and the action of pain killers and alcohol. These findings will have significant implications on the understanding of male and female brains, and will assist in the design of new drugs to treat brain and spinal cord diseases.
Huntingtin-associated protein 1 controls cell communication. The purpose of this study is to identify the mechanisms by which a novel regulator of cell communication which we have identified is able to control the release of chemical signals from a cell. This project will provide critical insight into a cellular pathway that underlies hormone secretion, neurotransmission and higher brain functions.
Intelligent Technologies for Smart Cryptography. This project aims to improve cybersecurity by automating the process of generating cryptographic software for smart devices. The expected outcomes are tools that automatically produce efficient cryptographic software that resists attacks. The main benefit of this project is to reduce the amount of expert labour required when developing secure software.
Function and redundancy of SOX genes in the mammalian sex determination pathway. We are studying a mouse model of abnormal sex organ development in which genetically female mice develop as males. Our basic research program will lead to greater understanding of the genetic switch controlling the formation of male and female characteristics. This research should in turn provide insight into the causes of defects in patients with disorders of sex development, helping to inform the difficult clinica ....Function and redundancy of SOX genes in the mammalian sex determination pathway. We are studying a mouse model of abnormal sex organ development in which genetically female mice develop as males. Our basic research program will lead to greater understanding of the genetic switch controlling the formation of male and female characteristics. This research should in turn provide insight into the causes of defects in patients with disorders of sex development, helping to inform the difficult clinical decisions that need to be made for their treatment, and ultimately leading to better management and therapeutic strategies. Our studies may also provide unique methods to control the exotic mouse population, using the daughterless strategy.Read moreRead less