Honours Projects - 2006

The projects listed below are available to "Honours" candidates in 2006. These one-year research programs are available in a number of programs which can accommodate a wide range of students. The current year Honours home page gives information on the current program and students.
Prof. D.G. Allen is responsible for the administration of these programs, and should be contacted for general information (Room N421, Anderson Stuart Building, Tel: +61 2 9351 4602) (davida@physiol.usyd.edu.au). Potential supervisors should be contacted to discuss specific opportunities.

For quick reference, here are links to all the Laboratories listed below:

* Audiovisual Research Laboratory - Dr David Alais
* Muscle Cell Function Laboratory - Professor D.G. Allen
* Neurobiology Laboratory - Professor M.R. Bennett
* Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory - Associate Professor S. Carlile
* Epithelial Transport Laboratory - Professor D.I. Cook
* Cardiovascular Neuroscience Laboratory - Professor R.A.L. Dampney
* Laboratory of Developmental Physiology - Dr M. Day
* Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology - Dr C. Leamey
* Bone & Skin Cell Laboratory - Associate Professor R.S. Mason
* Basic & Clinical Genomics Laboratory - Professor B.J. Morris
* Human Reproduction Unit, RNSH - Associate Professor C. O'Neill
* Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory - Dr W.D. Phillips
* Hypertension and Stroke Research Laboratories- Associate Professor P. Pilowsky
* Vision Laboratory - Dr D. Protti
* Systems Neuroscience Laboratory - Dr Atomu Sawatari
* Laboratory of Vision & Cognition - Dr Sam Solomon
* External Honours Projects

AUDIOVISUAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N438, Telephone: +61 2 9351 7615

Dr David ALAIS directs a cross-modal research group which conducts visual and auditory research and has a particular interest in understanding how both sources of sensory information are combined in the brain. The primary approach is through human psychophysical experiments which measure aspects of an observer's perception of sounds, images or combinations of both. From these measurements, inferences are drawn as to how various neurophysiological mechanisms give rise to perception.

The laboratory welcomes projects focusing on purely visual or auditory aspects of perception, as well as those combining both modalities. A broad variety of visual stimuli may be custom programmed in the laboratory and our close collaboration with Assoc. Professor Carlile's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory means that sophisticated auditory stimuli are also available. Sounds may be presented in the free field using a large anechoic chamber or via earphones using the laboratory's sophisticated virtual auditory space (VAS) technology.

Some particular interests in the laboratory which may suit Honours projects include:

  1. How the brain resolves visual conflict between the eyes (binocular rivalry)
  2. How visual and auditory information is weighted in cross-modal integration.
  3. How rapid head movements affect auditory perception.
  4. How the monaural and binaural cues to sound location are combined by nervous system.
  5. How movement and temporal modulation is encoded by the visual system.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: alaisd@physiol.usyd.edu.au

MUSCLE CELL FUNCTION LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N421 Telephone: +61 2 9351 4602

Professor D.G. ALLEN

The Muscle Cell Function laboratory is concerned with the regulation of calcium and other ions in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells.

Projects:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is severe degenerative disease of muscle which causes death in affected boys by the age of 20. Dystrophic muscles are more sensitive to stretch-induced muscle damage and this may be part of the damage pathway. We have recently shown that blockers of stretch-activated channels prevent Na and Ca entry into muscles following stretch-induced damage and also reduce some of the muscle damage. In this project muscles will be removed from mdx mice (an animal model of muscular dystrophy) and the ability of drugs to reduced muscle damage will be tested.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: davida@physiol.usyd.edu.au

NEUROBIOLGY LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N101 Telephone: +61 2 9351 2034

Professor M.R. BENNETT

The Neurobiology laboratory is now concentrating on signal transduction in glial cells, communication between neurons and glial cells, and their applications to neuronal disorders both in central and peripheral nervous systems. Recent studies demonstrate glial cells are active partners in processing information and synaptic integration. However, it is not clear what code signals that glial cells receive from neurons are and how glial cells affect neuronal activity. Furthermore, it is not know if this communication is in normal order, and if not, what changes are in neuronal disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Recent studies of neuropathic pain states, such as extraterritorial and mirror image pain, have led to new insights concerning a crucial role of aspinal cord astrocytes in creation and maintenance of these pathological painstates. P articularly, in dorsal horn, astrocytes were always dramatically activated in response to diverse axonal lesions that create exaggerated pain. However, it is not know how astrocytes communicate each other and what messengers mediate these communications.

To address the above issues, we examine communications between neuronsand glial cells, and signal transduction among the glial cells in both central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Multiple techniques are tobe used in these studies, which include tissue culture, brain (spinal cord)slice, calcium imagine, electrophysiology, luciferin-luciferase (ATP) assay,and imunohistochemistry.

Projects:

Talks between neurons and glial cells in central nervous system in physiological and disease conditions Mechanism of Ca2+ waves in Schwann cell networks Homeostasis of Ca2+ signaling in Schwann cells Does spinal cord astrocytes play a critical role in neuropaticpain?

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: maxb@physiol.usyd.edu.au

AUDITORY NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N438, Telephone: +61 2 9351 3205

Associate Professor S. CARLILE directs a multi-disciplinary research group aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which the auditory system encodes sound direction and the perception of sound localisation. Sounds are generated in the free field and in so-called virtual auditory space (VAS). Research projects involve acoustics, neural coding, behavioural/psychophysical studies, computer simulations and digital signal processing. A major facility of the laboratory is a large anechoic chamber, equipped with one of the world's most advanced moving speaker assemblies. It is based on a high speed robotic arm rotating about a central axis, and designed to deliver sound signals positioned precisely in two-dimensional space.

Projects:
  1. Human psychophysical studies examining the role of spectral cues produced by the outer ear and head in generating our percept of external auditory space, and the localisation and streaming of auditory objects within that space. In this approach bio-acoustical measurements of the filtering of the outer ear are used to generate and manipulate sounds in virtual space. Here, digital signal processing is combined with classical auditory psychophysics to study the perception of stationary and moving sound sources.
  2. Neural and bioacoustical studies of the mammalian auditory system (guinea pig and ferret) are aimed at determining how the monaural and binaural spectral cues to a sounds location are encoded by the nervous system. Neurophysiological techniques involve conventional microelectrode recordings (single and multi-unit) from the midbrain and the analysis of neural responses to sound stimuli presented in the free-field and in VAS. The analysis of unit data includes newly developed spike-sorting and correlation procedures to improve da ta recovery, underlying a strong emphasis on digital processing and analytical techniques in the laboratory.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: simonc@physiol.usyd.edu.au

EPITHELIAL TRANSPORT LABORATORY, Medical Foundation Building, Room 230, 92-94 Parramatta Rd Camperdown, Telephone: +61 2 9036 3314

Professor D.I. COOK

Projects:
  1. Use of replication-deficient adenoviruses and retroviruses to investigate control of epithelial sodium channels in epithelia.
    There are several different aspects of this project, each of whichwould be suitable for an honours project. One aspect will be to examineto mechanism by which pathogens and particularly viruses regulatesodium channel activity. Another is to investigate the role of the sgkkinase in regulating sodium channel activity. The third is to examine themechanisms by which extracellular nucleotides such as ATP regulate sodiumchannel activity. Each of these projects combines molecular biology withelectrical measurements of sodium transport across epithelia.

  2. Identification of novel regulators of sodium channels.
    This project will use the yeast 2-hybrid technique to identify novel proteins regulating sodium channel activity.

  3. Use of replication-deficient adenoviruses to investigate regulation of cytosolic Calcium.
    This project combine combine molecular biological and fura-2 methods to investigate the mechanisms by which agonists such as acetylcholine and ATP regulate the rate of Calcium trasnport out of cells.

  4. Characterisation of ClC family Chloride channels in salivary and other epithelia.
    This project will use patch-clamp methods in cultured epithelia tocharacterise the chloride channels found in their membranes and to investigatethe mechanisms by which their activity is controlled.

  5. Investigation of the role of sodium-bicarbonate cotransport in early embryonic development. This project will be jointly supervised by with Margot Day. It will use RT-PCR, western blotting and cytosolic pH measurements with the pH sensitive dye BCECF and will determine which isoforms of the sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter are present in pre-implantation mouse embryos and whether they play a role in regulation of cytosolic pH.

Direct enquiries can be made my email to: davidc@physiol.usyd.edu.au

CARDIOVASCULAR NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N640, Telephone: +61 2 9351 4603

Professor R.A.L. DAMPNEY's

The general theme of research in Cardiovascular Neuroscience lab is the control of blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity by the brain (especially brain stem and hypothalamus) both under normal conditions and in abnormal conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension). The laboratory uses a wide range of techniques and experimental approaches, including electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and more recently gene transfer methods.

Projects:
  1. Role of angiotensin II (AngII) receptors in the brain in the regulation of sympathetic activity and blood pressure. We are particularly interested in determining whether alteration of the expression of AngII receptors (by means of gene transfer technology) in key cardiovascular nuclei will lead to sustained changes in blood pressure and heart rate. [AngII receptors in the brain are believed to have a crucial role in the maintenance of increased sympathetic activity in certain types of hypertension and heart failure].
  2. The role of serotonin receptors in the brain in regulating increases in blood pressure and heart rate associated with stress. [Recent discoveries from our laboratory as well as others have demonstrated a highly specific and potent role of brain serotonin receptors in these responses].
  3. Role of nitric oxide in key nuclei in the hypothalamus in generating increased levels of sympathetic activity in different models of hypertension. [Nitric oxide is now known to powerfully influence neurotransmission in the brain, and preliminary evidence indicates that it is a key factor generating increased sympathetic activity in neurogenic hypertension].
  4. What are the mechanisms that maintain the tonic activity of cardiovascular neurons in the rostral ventrolateral (RVLM)? [These neurons project to the spinal sympathetic outflow and are known to be crucially important in generating a continuous tonic activity in sympathetic vasomotor nerves, which in turns maintains resting blood pressure].

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: rogerd@physiol.usyd.edu.au

LABORATORY OF DEVELOPMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Medical Foundation Building, Room 232, 92-94 Parramatta Rd Camperdown, Telephone: +61 2 9036 3312

Dr Margot Day

The Developmental Physiology laboratory is interested in the role of ion channels during early embryonic development. Changes in the activity of ion channels are required for many of the events that occur in the early embryo including fertilisation, cell division and cell differentiation. Overall our studies are aimed at improving our understanding of the causes of infertility and abnormal embryo development.

Projects:

  1. Role of potassium channels during embryo development.
    Previously we have shown that the activity of a potassium channel fluctuates during each cell cycle in the preimplantation mouse embryo. RNA interference will be used to knock out the expression of K channels in the embryo and effects on embryo development will be studied.
  2. Regulation of K channels in early embryos following DNA damage.
    DNA damage during embryo development causes an increase in K channel activity. The intracellular signalling pathways involved in the response of the embryo to DNA damage will be studied.

These projects will utilise a range molecular biology, biochemistry and cell physiology techniques.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: margotd@physiol.usyd.edu.au

LABORATORY OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N663, Telephone: +61 2 9351 4352

Dr Catherine A. Leamey

Research in the Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology focuses on how the right sets of connections form in the developing brain. Understanding these processes has important implications for the development of treatments for developmental brain disorders such as autism, Rett’s syndrome and mental retardation. Considerable recent evidence suggests that molecular determinants play an important role in regulating patterns of connectivity. Microarrays were used to identify a group of candidate genes that are differentially expressed between cortical areas during development. Some of these have particularly interesting expression patterns which suggest they play important roles in regulating neural connectivity. Examining the role of these molecules will form the basis of a number of potential Honours projects.

One of the candidate molecules identified in the screen was the transmembrane protein Ten_m3. Recent work in the lab has shown that this molecule plays an important role in the development of the visual pathway. There is also strong evidence for the role of activity in sculpting neuronal connectivity. Competition between the 2 eyes for target space during an early developmental critical period provides us with a good model to look at some of the mechanisms of neural plasticity. Recent preliminary data has suggested that genes implicated in developmental disorders such as autism and Rett’s syndrome are modulated by activity. Studies which will look at the modulation of gene expression (particularly of genes implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders) by visual experience during developmental critical periods are also potential Honours projects.

Projects:

  1. The laboratory has access to a mouse which lacks Ten_m3. A number of projects which will continue to investigate the role of this molecule in brain development are available for Honours students.
  2. The laboratory has also developed techniques to over-express Ten_m3 locally. Analysis of the impact of over-expression is also offered as an Honours project.
  3. Projects which will begin to study the spatial and temporal expression patterns of other candidate genes identified in the screen are available.
  4. Projects which will examine the modulation of genes implicated in developmental brain disorders by visual experience during development are also available.
  5. The marsupial mammal the wallaby provides an excellent model for investigating neural development, since it is born at a very early stage then develops over a protracted period where it is accessible in the pouch. Projects examining molecular mechanisms of retinotectal mapping and cortical development in this useful and uniquely Australian model are also available.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: cathy@physiol.usyd.edu.au

BONE AND SKIN LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room W222, Telephone: +61 2 9351 2561

Associate Professor R.S. MASON and her group study the endocrine and local regulation of bone turnover and the role of vitamin D compounds in protection from UV irradiation in skin.

Current projects in bone and mineral include studies on regulation of bone turnover by calcium and other agents, including a novel osteoporosis therapy, strontium, which may act through similar mechanisms to calcium. The area of skin research interest is mechanisms of skin cell protection from ultraviolet irradiation and ways of enhancing this.

Projects:

Role of Vitamin D and other compounds in protection of skin cells from UV
Our group has shown that vitamin D compounds, which are well known to be made in skin, have an important physiological function in skin to protect skin cells from the damaging effects of UV radiation. Cell death, mainly by apoptosis after UV exposure, is significantly reduced in skin cells after treatment with vitamin D metabolites. We have also shown that DNA damage is reduced in surviving cells. We now have evidence that the protective effects are present in mice and possibly in human subjects. The project will examine some likely mechanisms of action of the vitamin D compounds.

Does FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor23) influence bone turnover
FGF23 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family which is known to regulate phosphate homeostasis. FGF23 concentrations are elevated in patients with tumour-induced osteomalacia, which results in renal phosphate wasting and suppression of vitamin D hormone concentrations. FGF23 may also contribute directly to the bone pathology in this and other conditions, by inhibiting the activity of bone forming osteoblasts or enhancing bone resorption. Since a source of purified FGF23 recently became available it will be possible to test these proposals directly using human bone forming and resorbing cells.

Direct inquiries can be made by email to: mmmuir@medsci.usyd.edu.au or rebeccam@physiol.usyd.edu.au

BASIC & CLINICAL GENOMICS LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N452, Telephone: +61 2 9351 3688

Professor B.J. MORRIS and his group are elucidating molecular and cellular mechanisms of ageing and longevity, of gene expression, and of modulation of pre-mRNA splicing. The Lab is interested in longevity, cardiovascular disease, cancer and development.

Pre-mRNA splicing: It is now known that the number of proteins in the human body (approx. 100,000) greatly exceeds the number of genes (approx. 23,000). Such protein diversity is achieved by alternative splicing of primary mRNA transcripts so as to include or exclude exons selectively. The Lab has identified several novel proteins that modulate alternative splicing. We are investigating more oft he mechanisms involved. In so doing we are studying protein-protein interactions and functions in the nucleus, including subnuclear localization by 3D imaging microscopy, regulation of alternative splicing of primary mRNA transcripts using a range of minigenes, identification of factors in the supraspliceosome, and, in conjunction with Dr Joel Mackay's Lab in SMMBS, specific recognition sequences on RNA by SELEX.

Mechanisms of longevity: We plan to decipher the molecular pathways that underly longevity by using siRNA to target key genes that when mutated in other species extend their life. We are using microarray analysis of thousands of gene expressions to see which are upregulated and which are suppressed in primary cultures of fibroblasts as they age. Identification of key genes, and thus proteins, that regulate ageing could lead to production of novel pharmaceuticals that may increase the length of human life.

Publication is a high priority of the Lab and all previous Honours students have had at least one first-author paper emerge from their research. In the past 6 years, 50% papers from the lab were in the top 5 journals, as follows, in which impact factor is shown in bold and number in brackets: J Cell Biol 12.0 (1) Hum Mol Genet 8.6 (1) Mol Cell Biol 8.1 (1) Diabetes Care 7.5 (1) Brit Med J 7.2 (1) J Biol Chem 6.5 (3) Bioessays 6.5 (1) Hum Mutat 6.3 (2) Hypertension 5.6 (6) Cancer Epidem Biomar Prev 4.7 (1) J Physiol 4.5 (1) J Hypertens 3.6 (4).
Papers by Hons students in the past 3 years: 1 in J Biol Chem by a student who got 1st class Hons and University Medal, and 1 by another student in J Hypertens, that attracted a special Editorial.

Direct inquiries can be made by email to: brianm@medsci.usyd.edu.au

HUMAN REPRODUCTION UNIT, Block 3, ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL, Telephone: +61 2 9926 7148

Projects available in Associate Professor C. O'NEILL's laboratory:

Projects:
The Human Reproduction Unit undertakes a range of projects investigatingthe physiological basis of:
  1. The regulation of fertilization,
  2. The survival and growth of the early embryo (particularly after theirproduct ion by in vitro fertilization and related methods),
  3. The consequences of aberrations in early embryo growth on fetal and neonataldevelopment
  4. The control of survival and differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

There are a number of studies suitable for honours projects in each of these4 broad themes.Projects in the Human Reproduction Unit involve extensive use of:
* Tissue culture methods (particularly embryo culture);
* In vitro fertilization, embryo micromanipulation, nucleartransfer and embryo transfer
* Embryo manipulation including micromanipulation;
* Microscopy (including confocal microscopy);
* Molecular analysis – PCR, QRTPCR, western blotting, immunoprecipitation;
* Molecular transfection;
* Real time monitoring of protein expression; and
* Use of genetically modified organism as models.

Direct your enquiries to A/Professor O'Neill via email: chriso@med.usyd.edu.au
Faxed enquiries can be sent to: +61 2 9906 1872.

MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N343, Telephone: +61 2 9351 4598

Dr W.D. PHILLIPS

Project 1. Myasthenia Gravis and muscle weakness caused by autoimmune response against the synapse organizer protein, Muscle Specific Kinase (MuSK)?
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a classic autoimmune disease that attacks the nerve-muscle synapse. A person makes antibodies against their own acetylcholine receptors (AChR). This leads to a reduction in the sensitivity of the postsynaptic membrane to acetylcholine. The synapse becomes unreliable, resulting in muscle weakness. The cell biological effects of the anti-AChR antibodies on the synapse are fairly well understood. However some MG patients have no antibodies against AChR. Instead, they have antibodies against the receptor tyrosine kinase, MuSK. Signalling through MuSK is essential for forming postsynaptic clusters of AChR during embryo development. Anti-MuSK antibodies have been shown to block this signalling pathway in cell culture. This suggests a mechanism by which anti-MuSK antibodies might impair synaptic transmission. However, biopsies from these patients showed synapses that appeared normal. This project will use new, fluorescence imaging-based techniques to test whether patient anti-MuSK antibodies alter the clustering of AChR at synapses.This is a collaborative project between the clinical lab of Dr Stephen Reddell (Concord Hospital) and the Neuroscience/cell biology lab of Dr Bill Phillips in the Dept of Physiology.

Project 2. Synaptic plasticity and motor neuron disease
Motor neuron disease strikes in middle age and results in progressive loss of control of the muscles leading to death. This project will investigate the idea that the loss of connections between motor neurons and muscle fibres which precedes motor neuron death involves age-related changes in the ability of the neuromuscular synapse to respond to the signaling protein, neural agrin. Neural agrin plays a central role in the formation of synapses but its role in keeping the adult synapse healthy has not been examined. Hindered communication between nerve and muscle may help to explain the late onset of motor neuron degeneration. Understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms for such neurodegenerative diseases is important for the long-term goal of a cure.

Contact Bill Phillips direct by email: billp@physiol.usyd.edu.au or phone +61 2 9351 4598 for more information and background reading on the project
Faxed enquiries can be sent to +61 2 9351-2058

HYPERTENSION AND STROKE RESEARCH LABORATORIES, Royal North Shore Hospital, Ground Floor Block 3, Dept of Physiology, University of Sydney and Dept of Neurosurgery, Royal North Shore Hospital. Telephone: +61 2 9926 8080.

Associate Professor P. PILOWSKY (Head)

Dr Ann Goodchild

The hypertension and stroke research laboratories conduct research that is aimed at understanding the role of the central nervous system in the control of blood pressure, airways and breathing: the ABC of medicine. In particular, we are interested in the interactions between these vital systems, the function and morphology of the neurons that control them and the neurotransmitters and other neuromodulators that they contain or release. In addition, we compare normal animals with those that have certain conditions, including hypertensive or depression, in order to see if differences are present. An eclectic range of techniques is used in these studies, depending on the questions to be addressed. These studies utilise a number of techniques from the "nucleotide to the bedside". Specifically these include molecular techniques such as quantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridisation, electrophysiological techniques including extracellular and intracellular recording, intrathecal and intramedullary drug administration, anatomical techniques including the use of markers of neuronal activation such as pMAPK and fos and immunocytochemistry as well as some complex analysis of autonomic system function from patients in intensive care.

Projects:

In general we believe that students should have the opportunity to explore - briefly - a range of topics before settling on one. Some people have a particular aptitude for different techniques. Given the broad spectrum available - from anatomy to molecular biology - we are able to accommodate most individuals. 

Plasticity in the neural control of blood pressure:
This year, we confirmed that three brief episodes of hypoxia results in an elevation of phrenic nerve discharge over a 60 -90 minute time period. We also discovered that splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity and respiratory modulation of sympathetic nerve activity is enhanced. In 2006 we would like to investigate the mechanisms that cause these plastic changes in nerve activity.

Neurochemistry in the spinal cord:
Neurons in the brainstem are thought to regulate sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord via a direct bulbospinal pathway. An interesting feature of this bulbospinal pathway is that it contains many different neurotransmitters. Some are associated with functional features that suggest a role in regulation of the cardiovascular system, but the precise pathways involved are still poorly understood. In this project sympathetic neurons will be labelled and their relationship to neurochemically defined varicosities examined by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Functional identification of neurons may be possible using hypotensive stimuli and histochemistry for FOS.

Respiratory modulation of sympathetic nerve activity:
This is a well known but still poorly defined phenomenon. In this study respiratory modulation in the activity recordable from different sympathetic nerves in different conditions (eg anaesthesia, sino-aortic denervation etc) will be examined. The susceptibility of different sympathetic nerves to inhibition by different vasoconstrictor agents will also be examined as part of this project.

Reflex control in the brainstem:
The rostral ventrolateral medulla is a critical site for the integration of reflexes as well as setting the level of sympathetic tone. In these studies pharmacological alteration of inputs to the RVLM will be made using agonists and antagonists and the effect on a range of cardiorespiratory reflexes assessed.

Gene expression in cardiovascular regulation:
In previous studies we have demonstrated quantitative differences in neurotransmitter-related gene expression in the brainstem between hypertensive and normotensive rats. We aim to extend these studies by examining expression of other neurotransmitter-related genes in the brainstem and other sites in normotensive and hypertensive rats.

The brain in control of the cardiovascular system in critically ill patients:
Patients in the intensive care unit suffer perturbations in baroreflex control of the heart, and sympathetic control of blood vessels that are very poorly understood. In this project, ECG and blood pressure data from ICU patients will be examined to determine predictors of cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

We strongly urge interested students to make contact by phone or email.

Paul Pilowsky 9926 8080 or email pilowsky@med.usyd.edu.au
Ann Goodchild 99266485 or 99268080 or email anng@physiol.usyd.edu

VISION LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room N659, Telephone: +61 2 9351 3928

Dr Dario Protti's laboratory is focused on the study of different neuronal circuits which are concerned with the analysis of singular aspects of the visual world.

Particular features of visual stimuli are conveyed to the brain via separate pathways, which utilise specific channels and neurotransmitter receptors to shape light signals. A clear example of signalling through different pathways is the existence of a neuronal network devoted to signalling at low light levels (scotopic or rod circuit) whereas another network exclusively transmits signals at high light levels (photopic or cone circuit).

We are particularly interested in the changes that take place during the switch from nighttime to daytime vision. This transition is strongly influenced by the neurotransmitter dopamine, which acts as a light signal.

We are also interested in the neuronal networks that generate the different components of the receptive field of retinal ganglion cells and in the interactions between the glial and neuronal networks in the retina.

Projects for Honours theses are available in the aforementioned areas of research:

Experiments involve the use of the following techniques:

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: dariop@physiol.usyd.edu.au

SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY, Anderson Stuart Building.

Dr Atomu Sawatari

A fundamental assumption in the field of neuroscience is that the brain formulates our perception of, and interactions with our surroundings. Systems neuroscience employs a variety of approaches, from genetic analysis, through anatomical and physiological methods, to behavioral assessment of the whole animal to determine how this complex organ manages to do this. The goal of the newly formed Systems Neuroscience Laboratory is to attempt to understand the neural mechanisms that underlie perception and behavior. We employ a host of in vitro and in vivo techniques (some in collaboration with other laboratories) to achieve our aim. A special emphasis will be placed on revealing the functional neural circuits in brain areas known to be involved in visual perception, and the processing and execution of behaviors relevant to an organism’s interaction with its environment.

Projects

  1. The Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology is in the process of characterizing the behavioral phenotype of the Ten_m3 knockout mouse. Preliminary evidence suggests that the mutants suffer from a severe visual deficit. In collaboration with Dr. Leamey and members of her research group, we hope to determine the cause of this impairment by conducting a thorough and detailed behavioral assessment of the mutant animal, as well as revealing the neural circuits that are specifically affected by the gene in the visual system of the knockout mice. Projects involved in this collaboration will be available.
  2. Laser scanning photostimulation has proven to be a powerful method for revealing the functional connectivity of neural circuits within the primary visual cortex of both rodents and primates. Projects will also be offered to develop this technique within the laboratory and use it to reveal connectivity within and across related cortical visual areas.
  3. The hippocampus is known to play a key role in the formation of memories and the representation of space. The entorhinal cortex is known to be the major source of cortical input to this important temporal structure. Projects involved in revealing the precise pattern of connectivity within and between these two areas will be offered.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: atomu@medsci.usyd.edu.au

LABORATORY OF VISION & COGNITION
Anderson Stuart Bldg, Room E501, Telephone: +61 2 9036 9926
Dr Sam Solomon

Our research is concerned with how the brain analyses, and makes decisions about, the sensory information it receives. To understand this we study the visual system, the primary sense organ in primates, and the one that we know most about. In physiological experiments we characterise at the level of nerve cells the work done by the eye and visual cortex. In perceptual experiments we explore performance, and compare these observations with the physiological ones through quantitative analysis. We are part of the School of Medical Sciences and also invite interested students from, for example, the School of Psychology or School of Engineering, as long as you meet the criteria for acceptance to Honours here.

I encourage students to participate in any and all aspects of the lab's research, within a couple of months targeting a question you find interesting. The question can be novel or part of the ongoing research, as long as we can answer it. In 2007 the lab will be focusing on two important aspects of visual processing:
  1. the building blocks of human perception, particularly the appearance of form and colour. For example, Erin Weston has shown in her Honours work this year that orientation perception in complex, nearly-natural, scenes may be understood in the framework of simple models, which may gives us a powerful method for predicting human perception in arbitrary situations.
  2. the signals of nerve cells early in the visual pathway, particularly the responses of individual nerve cells to natural scenes, and the information carried by groups of nerve cells, by:
    1. measuring the responses of single neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to simple patterns and natural scenes, to determine if the responses to natural scenes can be predicted from those to simple patterns.
    2. measuring the responses of two or more neurons in the LGN simultaneously, and determining the information carried by their joint activity. We have Australia's most advanced equipment for the recording of multiple nerve cells simultaneously.
The laboratory publishes in high quality journals (since 2001 articles have appeared in Nature, Neuron, The Journal of Neuroscience, The Journal of Physiology) and is committed to helping students do the same (I'm not that far from being one myself). Interested students should make contact by phone or email, the latter probably best.

Direct enquiries can be made by email to: samuels@medsci.usyd.edu.au