Investigating brain networks processing respiratory sensations
- Research Opportunity
- PhD students, Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 1
- Number of Master Places Available
- 1
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/Prof Stuart Mazzone | stuart.mazzone@unimelb.edu.au |
| Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Alice McGovern | |||
| Dr Aung Aung Kywe Moe |
Summary The Respiratory Sensory Neuroscience Laboratory is interested in the sensory neuron populations that innervate the airways and lungs and the brain circuits that process respiratory sensory information. We use transcriptomic profiling to better describe the molecular characteristics of respiratory sensory neurons, viral tract tracing and modern molecular physiology to understand the organisation of function circuits in the brain and human functional brain imaging to assess plasticity in the central nervous system in patients with disease.
Project Details
Respiratory sensory neurons are critical for the ongoing physiological control of breathing as well as protecting against potentially damaging stimuli that could adversely affect ventilation. They do so by providing inputs to complex brain networks responsible for generating respiratory sensations and resultant behaviours. Changes in the excitability of these brain networks may be important for the development of coughing, dyspnoea and hyperreactivity characteristic of many lung diseases. In this project we are mapping the neural connections of airway sensory circuits in the central nervous system and employing molecular physiological approaches using optogenetics and chemogenetics to better define how respiratory sensations are encoded in the brain. Techniques include viral vector production, small animal surgeries, molecular physiology studies, microscopy.Research Opportunities
PhD students, Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
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