Neuronal communication relies on the process of exocytosis by which neurons release a neurotransmitter. Exocytosis is critical for the simplest muscle movement to complex tasks such as learning and memory, and is altered in several neurodegenerative pathologies. We will investigate how the protein Munc18 controls exocytosis. This research will be important for understanding how neurons communicate in health and disease and will be relevant to other processes such as insulin release in diabetes.
Uncover How Myosin-6 Underpins The Ca2+-dependent Recruitment Of Secretory Vesicles To The Cortical Actin Network
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,295.00
Summary
Neuronal communication relies on the process of exocytosis by which neurons release a neurotransmitter. Exocytosis underpins processes such as the simplest muscle movement to complex tasks such as learning and memory, and is altered in several neurodegenerative pathologies. We will investigate how the protein Myosin-6 controls exocytosis. This research will be important for understanding how neurons communicate in health and disease and will be relevant to other processes such as insulin release ....Neuronal communication relies on the process of exocytosis by which neurons release a neurotransmitter. Exocytosis underpins processes such as the simplest muscle movement to complex tasks such as learning and memory, and is altered in several neurodegenerative pathologies. We will investigate how the protein Myosin-6 controls exocytosis. This research will be important for understanding how neurons communicate in health and disease and will be relevant to other processes such as insulin release in diabetes.Read moreRead less
Targeting The Synaptic Actin Cytoskeleton In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,741.00
Summary
Dementias have become one of the fastest growing sources of major disease burdens in developed countries with about one in fifteen Australians older than 65 being affected. We will study how pathological stimuli disrupt nerve cell connections in the brain by impacting on the cellular architecture at these connections. Findings from our study will provide profound new insights in how nerve cells communicate with each other and how this communication is breaking down in disease.
Regulation Of Glutamate Receptor Trafficking By The Calcium- And Lipid-binding Protein, Copine-6
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,690.00
Summary
Abnormal levels of cell surface receptors in neurons can lead to a variety of debilitating neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. These levels are tightly regulated through the orchestrated movements of receptors from inside the neuron to the cell surface. In this project we will examine how the transport of cell surface receptors is regulated by an intracellular signalling molecule, called copine, which is important in both epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Functional Interplay Between Alpha Synuclein And Synaptophysin In Synaptic Vesicle Recycling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,461.00
Summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 7 million people worldwide. ?-synuclein is a protein in that brain that is likely to contribute to the death of brain cells in PD, but the normal role of the protein remains unknown. This study will investigate the function of ?-synuclein in maintaining normal healthy brain activity. In addition, this work will help us understand the processes that go awry in neurodegenerative disease states such as PD.
TNF Traffic And Secretion In Astrocytes And Microglial Cells: Unveilling New Targets For Ischemic Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,070.00
Summary
Neurodegenerative disorders share a similar pathway to disastrous neurotoxicity, which occurs through the release of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF) from glial cells. TNF controls inflammation but its excessive secretion in the brain is highly detrimental. The mechanism of TNF secretion is unknown but strategies aimed at reducing it have therapeutic potential. This grant proposes to study TNF discharge to find new ways to reduce secretion and confer protection in a stroke model.
How Do P75 And Sortilin Facilitate TrkA-mediated Survival Signalling?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,354.00
Summary
Neurotrophins are the classical growth factors that regulate neuronal survival and death throughout the nervous system in both the developing and adult animal. These factors signal through one of three receptors, but precisely how the receptors interact to propagate cell survival is unclear. The goal of this grant is to unravel the molecular basis underpinning this life and death signalling decision so that we can then devise ways to promote cell survival in neurodegenerative conditions
How membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis. This project aims to elucidate the molecular basis of how membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis in mammalian central neurons. Nerve cells’ ability to transmit cellular information to one another is important for normal brain function. Efficient communication between neurons through sustained neurotransmitter release relies on the continuous supply of synaptic vesicles in presynaptic nerve terminals. Ke ....How membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis. This project aims to elucidate the molecular basis of how membrane-sensing proteins regulate synaptic vesicle endocytosis in mammalian central neurons. Nerve cells’ ability to transmit cellular information to one another is important for normal brain function. Efficient communication between neurons through sustained neurotransmitter release relies on the continuous supply of synaptic vesicles in presynaptic nerve terminals. Key to this process are membrane dynamics during synaptic vesicle retrieval, but the precise underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The intended outcome of this project is insights into the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission, the fundamental process of brain function, increasing understanding of physiological processes such as muscle movement, vision, hearing, touch, learning and memory.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100078
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Live molecular imaging using super resolution microscopy, two photon and spinning disk confocal microscopy. With recent developments of super-resolution microscopy it is now feasible to image single molecules within the cellular environment in living cells. Such insight is key to understanding basic biological interactions that govern the wiring of our brain, communications between cells and neurons and cell-cell adhesion.
Nuclear functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau. The important neuronal protein, tau, has cellular functions that go far beyond its established role in stabilising microtubules. This project will determine which tau species are nuclearly localised, what the consequences are for nuclear functions, and how phosphorylation regulates this localisation.