Investigating the development of oligodendrocyte chains in CNS white matter

Supervisors: Dr Toby Merson, Prof T.J. Kilpatrick

The Multiple Sclerosis Group is focused on developing strategies to limit the severity of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, of which multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause. Multiple Sclerosis is thought to result from an autoimmune attack against myelin, which is produced by specialised glial cells known as oligodendrocytes that ensheath neurons. Our research is focused upon reducing oligodendrocytic damage or enhancing nervous system repair by promoting neural precursor cell recruitment to the oligodendrocyte lineage.

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Investigating the role of relaxin-3 in stress-related cognitive dysfunction in the brain

Co-supervisor: Dr Sherie Ma

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental illnesses and a core feature shared by all anxiety conditions is impairment of fear memory extinction and dysfunction of the stress peptide/hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). This project will investigate the role of the novel neuropeptide, relaxin-3, in fear memory processing and its interaction with the CRF system in rodent brain.

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Investigating the role of the stress related neuropeptide CRF in drug and alcohol addiction

Co-supervisor: Dr Bianca Jupp

The Addiction Neuroscience Laboratory focuses on studies investigating the pathophysiological basis of drug addiction. We are particularly interested in the neural pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in drug-seeking behaviour and plasticity. To investigate this we utilise behavioural, molecular, and pharmacological studies in both rat and transgenic mouse models of alcohol, opiate and psychostimulant abuse. There is significant evidence for the role of stress in the susceptibility to and development of drug and alcohol addiction. The stress related neuropeptide, corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), has particularly been implicated in this relationship

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Investigating the stress response in a mouse model of autism.

Co-supervisor: A/Prof Anthony Hannan (Florey)

This project will investigate behavioural aspects and markers of stress in the NL3 mouse model of autism using:

1. Anxiety and stress paradigms
2. Cortisol and c-fos levels with labelling for neuronal markers.
3. Ultrasonic vocalisation pattern analysis

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Investigation of cerebral development and injury in the prematurely born primate

The neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants (< 30 weeks gestational age) is of major concern. Whilst advances in perinatal care have significantly improved the survival of the prematurely born infant, it is recognized that up to 50% of these infants face adverse motor, cognitive and behavioral deficits as they approach school age.

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