Vulnerability to cocaine use: discovering common mechanisms conserved across animal phyla. Drug abuse costs Australia an estimated $ 20 billion each year, and research is urgently needed to understand how drugs cause long-term behavioural dysfunction. Our research will identify the basal cellular mechanisms underlying drug abuse and addiction, which are likely to be the best targets for therapies to prevent and cure addiction. Our findings are also relevant to other neuropsychiatric disorders r ....Vulnerability to cocaine use: discovering common mechanisms conserved across animal phyla. Drug abuse costs Australia an estimated $ 20 billion each year, and research is urgently needed to understand how drugs cause long-term behavioural dysfunction. Our research will identify the basal cellular mechanisms underlying drug abuse and addiction, which are likely to be the best targets for therapies to prevent and cure addiction. Our findings are also relevant to other neuropsychiatric disorders related to drug abuse (e.g. depression, anxiety) that are on the increase in Australia. Our work will enhance Australia's reputation for neuroscience research, and will provide training for students in neuropharmacology and molecular neurobiology.Read moreRead less
The role of synapse development in cognitive disorder. In humans, intellectual disability occurs when nerve cells in the brain fail to connect. The project examines fundamental molecular processes involved in synapse development of neurons. The use of insect models provides a generalised biological template to understand how synaptic molecules contribute to behaviours that underlie cognitive disorder.
Sino-Australian neurogenetics initiative. This project will undertake large population studies to identify genes that are associated with motor neuron disease, schizophrenia and intracranial haemorrhage. The project will determine genetic markers, aid development of diagnostic tools and identify new therapeutic targets for these common heritable neurological diseases.
Neurological cell replacement therapies: improving outcomes by matching developmental profiles of transplanted cells with the damaged brain area. Stem cell transplantation offers a way to replace nerve cells lost due to acute CNS injury or chronic degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. However, to date, results have been disappointing because of poor differentiation, survival and integration of stem cells confounded by ethical issues associated with the use of embryos as the source ....Neurological cell replacement therapies: improving outcomes by matching developmental profiles of transplanted cells with the damaged brain area. Stem cell transplantation offers a way to replace nerve cells lost due to acute CNS injury or chronic degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. However, to date, results have been disappointing because of poor differentiation, survival and integration of stem cells confounded by ethical issues associated with the use of embryos as the source of stem cells. The experiments conducted in this study will provide strategies to improve the efficacy of stem cell transplantation into the damaged CNS as well as developing the use of autologous bone marrow stem cells for repair. Outcomes will be improved transplant methodologies and expertise for the bio-technology industry. Read moreRead less
Mechanosensitive properties and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by lipid environment. This project will provide new information about the molecular determinants which influence NMDA receptor channel gating that will significantly advance our understanding of a link between NMDA receptor function and many neurodegenerative diseases as well as pain and learning and memory. The outcomes of this project may lead to the discovery of novel lipid-based biomaterials for application i ....Mechanosensitive properties and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by lipid environment. This project will provide new information about the molecular determinants which influence NMDA receptor channel gating that will significantly advance our understanding of a link between NMDA receptor function and many neurodegenerative diseases as well as pain and learning and memory. The outcomes of this project may lead to the discovery of novel lipid-based biomaterials for application in medicine and the drug industry. This research is highly significant in relation to human health. The biological and nutritional aspects of polyunsaturated lipids and dietary fish oils have long been recognized. Thus this project will provide further knowledge that could benefit the health of the nation with consequent reduced health care costs.Read moreRead less
Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission. This project aims to increase our understanding of the synaptic function of the nervous system. Neurons communicate with each other via the release of neurotransmitters at specialised structures known as synapses. Synaptic vesicle (SV) release from the presynaptic neuron is essential for this neuronal transmission, which drives all aspects of nervous system function, including behaviour and cognition. This project plans to investiga ....Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission. This project aims to increase our understanding of the synaptic function of the nervous system. Neurons communicate with each other via the release of neurotransmitters at specialised structures known as synapses. Synaptic vesicle (SV) release from the presynaptic neuron is essential for this neuronal transmission, which drives all aspects of nervous system function, including behaviour and cognition. This project plans to investigate how key synaptic proteins and the interactions between them regulate spontaneous SV release. It aims to reveal the molecular mechanism of both basal level regulation and the potentiation of spontaneous SV release, using a Caenorhabditis elegans model system.Read moreRead less
Development of integrated biological markers of brain function. With the rapid growth of both brain imaging and genetics, we can now examine the biological basis of complex brain functions, such as memory. Our goal is to combine these techniques to develop evidence-based biological markers of normal function. These markers can then be used to screen for early signs of abnormal function (eg. in Alzheimer's disease) and to assess treatment effects. Two unique features ensure the project's feasibil ....Development of integrated biological markers of brain function. With the rapid growth of both brain imaging and genetics, we can now examine the biological basis of complex brain functions, such as memory. Our goal is to combine these techniques to develop evidence-based biological markers of normal function. These markers can then be used to screen for early signs of abnormal function (eg. in Alzheimer's disease) and to assess treatment effects. Two unique features ensure the project's feasibility: a) access to the first standardized, normative brain database (from the Brain Resource Company Ltd) and b) a scientific collaboration supporting the integration of brain imaging and genetics.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying migraine and endometriosis via genetic dissection. The research aims to identify genetic variants underlying migraine and endometriosis susceptibility. Advances in the genetics of these common and painful disorders, including identification of genetic biomarkers (genetic variations that can predict disease susceptibility, disease outcome, or treatment response), will offer better rationales for scientific enquiry, helping the discovery of new treat ....Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying migraine and endometriosis via genetic dissection. The research aims to identify genetic variants underlying migraine and endometriosis susceptibility. Advances in the genetics of these common and painful disorders, including identification of genetic biomarkers (genetic variations that can predict disease susceptibility, disease outcome, or treatment response), will offer better rationales for scientific enquiry, helping the discovery of new treatment pathways and improve predictions of drug efficacy and safety. Thus providing improved treatment strategies for the individual sufferer and reduce the direct medical and indirect economic costs to individual sufferers as well as to the general community.Read moreRead less
Insulin transport into the central nervous system. This project aims to understand transportation of peripheral insulin into the central nervous system and how it maintains energy balance. Insulin is essential for normal physiological functioning in the periphery and central nervous system, but some circumstances, including high-fat diets, reduce insulin signalling in the brain. This project examines the mechanisms of insulin transport into the central nervous system, and may improve our underst ....Insulin transport into the central nervous system. This project aims to understand transportation of peripheral insulin into the central nervous system and how it maintains energy balance. Insulin is essential for normal physiological functioning in the periphery and central nervous system, but some circumstances, including high-fat diets, reduce insulin signalling in the brain. This project examines the mechanisms of insulin transport into the central nervous system, and may improve our understanding of blood brain barrier insulin transport and dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Molecular dissection of the effects of alpha-actinin-3 deficiency on normal variation in skeletal muscle function. We will study the mechanisms by which a common genetic variant influences muscle bulk, muscle strength and the metabolic efficiency of muscle in the general population. Common genetic variants that influence skeletal muscle function have major potential public health implications as they are likely to influence individuals' response to exercise and diet, and to contribute to suscept ....Molecular dissection of the effects of alpha-actinin-3 deficiency on normal variation in skeletal muscle function. We will study the mechanisms by which a common genetic variant influences muscle bulk, muscle strength and the metabolic efficiency of muscle in the general population. Common genetic variants that influence skeletal muscle function have major potential public health implications as they are likely to influence individuals' response to exercise and diet, and to contribute to susceptibility to common diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and the loss of muscle strength in the elderly. In addition, the identification of genetic factors that influence muscle bulk in vertebrates has implications for breeding programs in sheep and cattle and may provide commercial benefit to the livestock industry.Read moreRead less