Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpt ....Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpts the output of individual neurones. The experiments will be extended to the study of possible interactions between different areas of the brain and the study of mechanisms by which the cortical network and higher cognitive factors such as attention and memory might influence the coding of sensory information in awake animals.Read moreRead less
Visual processing of objects defined by coherent motion. Although the human brain can easily decode the complex visual scene, little is known about how the responsible neural circuits operate. For example, how is it that a camouflaged animal, such as a moth on the bark of a tree, becomes visible once it moves? To better understand the processes, this project aims to determine how different visual areas of the brain interact with each other to create a network that is responsible for detecting ....Visual processing of objects defined by coherent motion. Although the human brain can easily decode the complex visual scene, little is known about how the responsible neural circuits operate. For example, how is it that a camouflaged animal, such as a moth on the bark of a tree, becomes visible once it moves? To better understand the processes, this project aims to determine how different visual areas of the brain interact with each other to create a network that is responsible for detecting moving camouflaged objects. Knowing this will enable us to better understand the organisation and limitations of the brain.Read moreRead less
The evolution of biological scaling. This project aims to understand why so few biological traits scale proportionally with body size. In contrast to previous mechanistic studies of this longstanding question, the problem will be approached from an evolutionary viewpoint, using artificial selection to engineer animals in which biological scaling laws are either broken or enhanced. By measuring the consequences of this for fitness, the project will provide a new understanding of how organismal si ....The evolution of biological scaling. This project aims to understand why so few biological traits scale proportionally with body size. In contrast to previous mechanistic studies of this longstanding question, the problem will be approached from an evolutionary viewpoint, using artificial selection to engineer animals in which biological scaling laws are either broken or enhanced. By measuring the consequences of this for fitness, the project will provide a new understanding of how organismal size and physiology evolve in nature. The approach should provide significant benefits to our understanding of the role of genetic constraints in hindering or facilitating biological adaptation, furthering our understanding of the capacity of animals to respond to environmental change.Read moreRead less
The role of omega-3 fatty acids in brain mechanisms that regulate water and salt balance. The ability of mammals to survive is heavily dependent upon their ability to maintain body fluid balance. This project aims to elucidate brain mechanisms for the behavioural regulation of water and salt balance, with specific investigation of the role of dietary fatty acids within these processes. It is hypothesised that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) affect intake of water and salt by affecti ....The role of omega-3 fatty acids in brain mechanisms that regulate water and salt balance. The ability of mammals to survive is heavily dependent upon their ability to maintain body fluid balance. This project aims to elucidate brain mechanisms for the behavioural regulation of water and salt balance, with specific investigation of the role of dietary fatty acids within these processes. It is hypothesised that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) affect intake of water and salt by affecting the sensitivity of various receptors, or the hormones used by this body system. Omega-3 PUFA are known to play a role in regulating genes, and therefore, may also affect the production of key proteins, such as receptors, hormones or enzymes involved in the regulation of salt and water intake.Read moreRead less
Molecular control of postnatal heart development. This project aims to improve our understanding of how the heart develops after birth and the molecules that control this process. Recent advances in tissue engineering have opened up opportunities for the generation of synthetic tissues but these studies have also highlighted a fundamental knowledge gap in our understanding of how complex tissues mature to prepare for life as an adult. Much is known about the molecules that control early embryoni ....Molecular control of postnatal heart development. This project aims to improve our understanding of how the heart develops after birth and the molecules that control this process. Recent advances in tissue engineering have opened up opportunities for the generation of synthetic tissues but these studies have also highlighted a fundamental knowledge gap in our understanding of how complex tissues mature to prepare for life as an adult. Much is known about the molecules that control early embryonic development but little is known about the molecules that control maturation after birth. This project aims to build new knowledge that is expected to improve our ability to generate mature heart muscle cells for stem cell applications, tissue repair and regeneration.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the sub-nuclear complexity of the brain. Understanding the function of the brain is a major frontier of scientific research. The ability to increase knowledge of brain function is reliant upon the development of novel methods. This application will develop a novel approach for understanding the function of particular nerve cells. One outcome will be demonstration of the applicability of a novel method of benefit to all brain researchers. Another outcome will be increased understandin ....Unravelling the sub-nuclear complexity of the brain. Understanding the function of the brain is a major frontier of scientific research. The ability to increase knowledge of brain function is reliant upon the development of novel methods. This application will develop a novel approach for understanding the function of particular nerve cells. One outcome will be demonstration of the applicability of a novel method of benefit to all brain researchers. Another outcome will be increased understanding of one brain region that is known to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. It is expected that increased knowledge of brain function will lead to novel theories of brain disease and therapeutic strategies.Read moreRead less
The evolution of breathing patterns in animals. Although breathing is usually regarding as a continuous process, many species voluntarily hold their breath for up to several hours at a time. This pattern of periodic breathing is shown by a range of animals including mammals, reptiles, and insects, yet the reasons why they hold their breath is unknown. This project will examine the evolution of breathing patterns in the context of climate and atmospheric conditions. The outcomes of this project w ....The evolution of breathing patterns in animals. Although breathing is usually regarding as a continuous process, many species voluntarily hold their breath for up to several hours at a time. This pattern of periodic breathing is shown by a range of animals including mammals, reptiles, and insects, yet the reasons why they hold their breath is unknown. This project will examine the evolution of breathing patterns in the context of climate and atmospheric conditions. The outcomes of this project will provide insight into the evolution of fundamental characteristic of animals (breathing), describe the role of climate in shaping how animals breathe, and demonstrate how animals will cope with climate change.Read moreRead less