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Ian Gibbins (Laboratory Head), Christine Barry, Jen Clarke, Yvette DeGraaf, Maeve Gillan, Garreth Kestell, Pat Vilimas, ShiYong Yuan

Level 6, Room 6E406 / 6E407, Flinders Medical Centre

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We study the microscopic structure and function of the nerves that control and monitor the activity of the internal organs, as well as specialised regions of the skin. Many of these pathways detect and react to painful stimuli such as tissue damage or inflammation. We also examine how circulating hormones, such as angiotensin II, interact with these neural pathways.

We use a wide variety of techniques to study nerve cells and their communication with each other. We use state-of-the-art microscopes to examine the detailed connections between nerve cells in specific pathways, such as the autonomic nerves regulating gut activity or sensory nerves from the female genital tract. These results then allow us to generate computerized reconstructions of nerve cells and their pathways. We directly observe the behaviour of neurotransmitters or hormones as they interact with neurons, and combine these observations with measurements of electrical activity of the neurons. Together, these observations let us determine how chemical messengers influence the activity of other nerve cells, including those that respond to painful stimuli.

Our new results are helping us to redefine how these neural pathways operate so effectively in a wide range of conditions associated with health and disease. In addition, they can provide a strong framework to identify and investigate new avenues for therapeutic treatments of chronic pain associated with tissue damage and inflammation.

See our Current Research Projects

 

Autonomic Neurotransmission Laboratory and Pulmonary Neurobiology Laboratory Staff in May 2012