Electrophysiological Properties of Human Brain Neuronal Tissue
- Research Opportunity
- PhD students, Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 2
- Number of Master Places Available
- 1
- Department / Centre
- Medicine and Radiology
- Location
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Chris French | frenchc@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 3276 | Personal web page |
Project Details
Almost all electrophysiological observations of neural normal function, drug responsiveness and abnormal states such as epilepsy in have been performed on rodent brain tissue. It is becoming clear, however, that human tissue has significant differences from rodent brain.
This project presents an almost unique opportunity to study human brain tissue at the single neuron and network level by utilising tissue taken in the course of neurosurgical procedures. Individual neurons are prepared by enzymatic dissociation, and recorded with patch electrodes. Network properties are recorded using intact brain slice.
For this project, the main aims are to identify the properties of voltage gated ion channels, in particular sodium and potassium currents. An area of special interest is the HERG channel subtype, which is likely to play an important role in brain function, but almost completely uncharacterised in any neural system. Check out https://ndl-lab.org/home
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
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.
Department / Centre
Research Node
Royal Melbourne HospitalMDHS Research library
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