Dynamic DNA structure states and memory formation. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory; however, the underlying mechanisms of these processes in the brain have yet to be fully resolved. The aim of this proposal is to obtain a deeper understanding of the functional relationship between genes and brain function. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain during learning and the formation of memory, it is hoped that t .... Dynamic DNA structure states and memory formation. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory; however, the underlying mechanisms of these processes in the brain have yet to be fully resolved. The aim of this proposal is to obtain a deeper understanding of the functional relationship between genes and brain function. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain during learning and the formation of memory, it is hoped that the true nature of brain adaptation across the lifespan will be revealed. Findings which may then provide new opportunities to strengthen, maintain and optimise cognitive function.Read moreRead less
Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning. This project aims to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning and memory. The project will apply a new approach, which tags RNA inside living cells. The findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the ....Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning. This project aims to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning and memory. The project will apply a new approach, which tags RNA inside living cells. The findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the true nature of brain adaptation.Read moreRead less
Defining novel neuroepigenetic pathways that influence learning and memory. This project aims to better understand the functional relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and regulatory RNAs in the brain and how they influence learning and the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory. However, efforts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in the brain have not been fully resolved. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenet ....Defining novel neuroepigenetic pathways that influence learning and memory. This project aims to better understand the functional relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and regulatory RNAs in the brain and how they influence learning and the formation of memory. Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory. However, efforts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in the brain have not been fully resolved. By elucidating the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain during learning and memory formation, the findings of the project will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the true nature of brain adaptation.Read moreRead less
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.
Unveiling the nanoscale organisation and dynamics of synaptic vesicle pools. This project aims to uncover the role of key molecules in allowing brain cells to actively communicate with each other. Communication between neurons relies on the fusion of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the presynaptic plasma membrane. The addition of vesicular membrane is transient as the vesicles quickly reform from the plasma membrane and refill with neurotransmitter ready for subsequent rounds ....Unveiling the nanoscale organisation and dynamics of synaptic vesicle pools. This project aims to uncover the role of key molecules in allowing brain cells to actively communicate with each other. Communication between neurons relies on the fusion of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the presynaptic plasma membrane. The addition of vesicular membrane is transient as the vesicles quickly reform from the plasma membrane and refill with neurotransmitter ready for subsequent rounds of fusion. This recycling process ensures that neurons communicate efficiently, however the underpinning mechanism is unknown. This project aims to use a recently developed single synaptic vesicle super-resolution tracking method to establish how Myosin-VI and Synapsin-IIa orchestrate this recycling in central and peripheral neurons. It will explain how neurons manage to preserve their ability to communicate.Read moreRead less
Identifying the pathways employed by growth hormone to regulate the proliferation of adult neural stem cells. As stem cells underpin the maintenance and regeneration of the brain and are known to decline in number and competence with age; understanding exactly how these cells are regulated is of broad national benefit. Furthermore, given the regulatory role of growth hormone throughout the body, insights gained from this project should lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets both with ....Identifying the pathways employed by growth hormone to regulate the proliferation of adult neural stem cells. As stem cells underpin the maintenance and regeneration of the brain and are known to decline in number and competence with age; understanding exactly how these cells are regulated is of broad national benefit. Furthermore, given the regulatory role of growth hormone throughout the body, insights gained from this project should lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets both within and outside the nervous system, ultimately leading to preventative and restorative strategies for maintaining good health. Finally, this Proposal is of significant national benefit as it will undoubtedly advance our knowledge base in stem cell biology, helping to maintain Australia as a global leader in stem cell research.Read moreRead less