Through our research, we aim to improve lives through a deeper understanding of the brain in health and disease. To better strive for this goal, research at the Institute is streamed into four main themes:
Synaptic, Cellular & Molecular NeuroscienceBrain connections & plasticity | Circuits, Systems and Computational NeuroscienceNeural networks | Cognitive, Behavioural and Sensory NeuroscienceBrain and behaviour | Clinical NeuroscienceBrain diseases |
Synaptic, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
We investigate how our brain operates at the level of individual cells and their connections called synapses. The brain cells called neurons have a unique ability to communicate with each other, a process that can adapt and change depending on an individual’s experience – the source of the brain’s amazing plasticity. Drug therapies also operate at this scale, so by understanding the workings of the brain at the cellular and molecular level, we are much more likely to find new “druggable” targets for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety and depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, motor neurone disease amongst others.
Faculty
- Professor Fred Meunier (Theme Co-ordinator)
- Professor Helen Cooper
- Professor Elizabeth Coulson
- Professor Geoffrey Faulkner
- Professor Massimo Hilliard
- Dr Zhitao Hu
- Dr Jana Vukovic
- Dr Adam Walker
- Dr Steven Zuryn
+ Dr Tara Walker (Research Fellow)
Circuits, Systems and Computational Neuroscience
Our researchers explore how groups of cells, often in different parts of the brain, interact with each other. This includes studying which way the information travels and how groups of cells control the flow of information. Our computational neuroscience researchers take the complexities of the brain and simplify them into mathematical models, based on available experimental data, that give us hypotheses about how the brain might function. These hypotheses can then be tested by experimental neuroscientists, whose findings further inform the computational models in a cycle that delivers us ever-more detailed information and predictions about brain function. This level of neuroscience is the most likely to provide us with knowledge about how the brain actually works: how information is transferred to ensure the right parts of the brain are active to achieve tasks, and other parts of the brain do not interfere. It is also the level about which we know the least, making our efforts in this area key to understanding the brain.
Faculty
- Associate Professor Ethan Scott (Theme Co-ordinator)
- Dr Victor Anggono
- Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang
- Professor Geoff Goodhill
- Dr Dhanisha Jhaveri
- Dr Zhaoyu Li
- Dr Fatima Nasrallah
- Professor Linda Richards
- Professor Pankaj Sah
Cognitive, Behavioural and Sensory Neuroscience
Research in our theme focuses on sensory processing, brain functions and resulting behaviours that affect the whole of an individual. This includes tracking inputs to the brain through multiple sensory systems and brain outputs in the form of cognition and behaviour. If we want to understand the brain and ourselves, we need to understand how sensory inputs shape the responses of humans, and a variety of model animal systems, to the environment and to the specific needs of each species. In the case of humans, we may think of this how brain activity drives cognition and behaviour, including capacities such as attention, learning, memory and decision making.
Faculty
- Professor Jason Mattingley (Theme Co-ordinator)
- Dr Matilde Balbi
- Associate Professor Timothy Bredy
- Associate Professor Thomas Burne
- Professor Barry Dickson
- Professor Darryl Eyles
- Professor Justin Marshall
- Associate Professor Gail Robinson
- Emeritus Professor Mandyam Srinivasan
- Dr Susannah Tye
- Associate Professor Bruno van Swinderen
- Professor Stephen Williams
Clinical Neuroscience
Our genomics researchers explore brain function by investigating the genome and how our DNA influences our behaviour, brain structure and function and our predisposition to neurological and mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and motor neurone disease. Our clinical researchers work directly with patients to improve prevention strategies, diagnoses and treatments. They are on the front line of developing new treatments and diagnostics to improve quality of life for affected people and their families.