Dr Alasdair Gibb

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Personal Profile

Name: Alasdair Gibb Email: a.gibb@ucl.ac.uk
Title: Dr Tel: 020 7679 1398
Department: Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology Fax: 0207 679 7298
Position: Reader in Pharmacology Address: Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Building, UCL, London, WC1E 6BT
Research Domain: Basic Life Sciences, Neuroscience Web Page: Personal Web Page

Profile

Research Description

A major theme of my research has been work on the biophysical properties of NMDA receptors (Gibb, 2004; Gibb 2006) in hippocampus (Pina-Crespo & Gibb, 2002; Rudyard et al., 2003) and spinal cord (Green & Gibb, 2001) and modulation of NMDA receptors by calmodulin and other intracellular messengers (Rycroft & Gibb; 2002, 2004a, 2004b). Studies of the pharmacology and biophysics of NMDA receptors in the nuclei of the basal ganglia (Jones & Gibb; 2005; Brothwell et al., 2008) is a continuing interest of a collaborative partnership with Dr Susan Jones, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at Cambridge University.

Research Activities

NMDA receptors in the central nervous system

Role of cell signalling in the assembly and function of synaptic connections in the vertebrate nervous system

Education Description

Dr Alasdair J. Gibb graduated in 1980 from the University of Strathclyde with a BSc joint honours degree in Biochemistry and Pharmacology. He stayed on at the University of Strathclyde to do a PhD, studying the mechanisms of action of neuromuscular blocking drugs. After doing postdoctoral research at the Australian National University in Canberra, he came to the Pharmacology Department at UCL in 1986 to take a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Professor Colquhoun. Dr Gibb was appointed Lecturer in Pharmacology in 1990. He is a past member of the MRC New Investigator Awards Panel, Editor and Distributing Editor of the Journal of Physiology and Coordinator of the Ion Channels Special Interest Group of the Physiological Society and is currently an Editor of the British Journal of Pharmacology. Dr Gibb was a joint winner of the Faculty of Life Sciences Teaching Prize for 2003. He is course organiser for Phar3003:Molecular Pharmacology and Phar3004:Receptor Mechanisms and teaches pharmacology to 2nd year medical students and BSc students in Life Sciences and Medicinal Chemistry. He is one of the coordinators of the Wellcome Trust 4 year PhD Programme in Neuroscience at UCL. Dr Gibb is a lecturer and joint organiser of the IBRO VLTP, a UNESCO and Grass Foundation-funded programme that delivers neuroscience teaching to postgraduate students in developing countries around the world. He is currently Reader in Pharmacology and Vice-Dean for Teaching in Biosciences at UCL.

UCL Collaborators

Prof Patricia Salinas

External Collaborators

Publications

    2012

    • Coppi E, Pedata F, Gibb AJ (2012). P2Y1 receptor modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ currents in medium-sized neurons from neonatal rat striatal slices.. J Neurophysiol, 107(3), 1009 - 1021. doi:10.1152/jn.00816.2009

    2011

    • Ciani L, Boyle KA, Dickins E, Sahores M, Anane D, Lopes DM, Gibb AJ, Salinas PC (2011). Wnt7a signaling promotes dendritic spine growth and synaptic strength through Ca²⁺/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 108(26), 10732 - 10737. doi:10.1073/pnas.1018132108

    2010

    • Suárez F, Zhao Q, Monaghan DT, Jane DE, Jones S, Gibb AJ (2010). Functional heterogeneity of NMDA receptors in rat substantia nigra pars compacta and reticulata neurones.. Eur J Neurosci, 32(3), 359 - 367. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07298.x
    • Sahores M, Gibb AJ, Salinas P (2010). Frizzled-5, a receptor for the synaptic organizer Wnt7a, regulates activity-mediated synaptogenesis.. Development, 137(13), 2215 - 2225.

    2009

    • Gibb AJ (2009). NMDA Receptors. In Kew J, Davies C (Ed.), Ion Channels: From Structure to Function (pp. - ). : Oxford Univ Pr.

    2008

    • Lansdell SJ, Collins T, Yabe A, Gee VJ, Gibb AJ, Millar NS (2008). Host-cell specific effects of the nicotinic receptor-associated protein RIC-3 revealed by a comparison of human and Drosophila RIC-3 homologues. Journal of Neurochemistry, 105, 1573 - 1581. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05235.x
    • Kracun S, Harkness PC, Gibb AJ, Millar NS (2008). Influence of the M3-M4 intracellular domain upon nicotinic acetylcholine receptor assembly, targeting and function. British Journal of Pharmacology, 153, 1474 - 1484. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707676
    • Gibb A (2008). A tingle of extra excitement with voltage dependence of NMDA receptor activation.. The Journal of Physiology, 586(23), 5607 - 5607.
    • Tong H, Gibb AJ (2008). Dopamine D1 receptor inhibition of NMDA receptor currents mediated by tyrosine kinase-dependent receptor trafficking in neonatal rat striatum.. The Journal of Physiology, 586, 4693 - 4707. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2008.158931
    • Brothwell SL, Barber JL, Monaghan DT, Jane DE, Gibb AJ, Jones S (2008). NR2B- and NR2D-containing synaptic NMDA receptors in developing rat substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurones.. The Journal of Physiology, 586(3), 739 - 750.

    2007

    • Gee VJ, Kracun S, Cooper ST, Gibb AJ, Millar NS (2007). Identification of domains influencing assembly and ion channel properties in α7 nicotinic receptor and 5-HT3 receptor subunit chimaeras. British Journal of Pharmacology, 152, 501 - 512. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707429

    2006

    • Gibb AJ (2006). Glutamate unbinding reveals new insights into NMDA receptor activation.. The Journal of Physiology, 574, 329 - 330.

    2005

    • Attwell D, Gibb A (2005). Neuroenergetics and the kinetic design of excitatory synapses. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 6(11), 841 - 849.
    • Jones S, Gibb AJ (2005). Functional NR2B- and NR2D-containing NMDA receptor channels in rat substantia nigra dopaminergic neurones.. The Journal of Physiology, 569, 209 - 221. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2005.095554
    • Lansdell SJ, Gee VJ, Harkness PC, Doward AI, Baker ER, Gibb AJ, Millar NS (2005). RIC-3 enhances functional expression of multiple nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in mammalian cells. Molecular Pharmacology, 68, 1431 - 1438. doi:10.1124/mol.105.017459

    2004

    • Gibb AJ (2004). NMDA receptor subunit gating--uncovered. Trends in Neurosciences, 27(1), 7 - 10.
    • Rycroft BK, Gibb AJ (2004). Inhibitory interactions of calcineurin (phosphatase 2B) and calmodulin on rat hippocampal NMDA receptors. Neuropharmacology, 47(4), 505 - 514.
    • Rycroft BK, Gibb AJ (2004). Regulation of single NMDA receptor channel activity by alpha-actinin and calmodulin in rat hippocampal granule cells. The Journal of Physiology, 557(pt 3), 795 - 808. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2003.059212

    2003

    • Rudhard Y, Kneussel M, Nassar MA, Rast GF, Annala AJ, Chen PE, Tigaret CM, Dean I, Roes J, Gibb AJ, Hunt SP, Schoepfer R (2003). Absence of Whisker-related pattern formation in mice with NMDA receptors lacking coincidence detection properties and calcium signaling. Journal of Neuroscience, 23(6), 2323 - 2332.

    2002

    • Gibb AJ (2002). Receptors linked to ion channels: activation and block.. In Foreman JC, Johansen T (Ed.), Receptor Pharmacology (pp. 159 - 185). : CRC Press Inc..
    • Pina-Crespo JC, Gibb AJ (2002). Subtypes of NMDA receptors in new-born rat hippocampal granule cells. The Journal of Physiology, 541(1), 41 - 64. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2001.014001
    • Rycroft BK, Gibb AJ (2002). Direct effects of calmodulin on NMDA receptor single-channel gating in rat hippocampal granule cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 22(20), 8860 - 8868.

    2001

    • Whitlock A, Burnstock G, Gibb AJ (2001). The single-channel properties of P2X ATP receptors in outside-out patches from rat hypothalamic paraventricular parvocells. Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 443, 115 - 122.
    • Green GM, Gibb AJ (2001). Characterisation of the single-channel properties of neonatal rat NMDA receptors in laminae I and II of the dorsal horn of spinal cord slices.
    • Gibb AJ (2001). Neurotransmitter receptors. In Webster RA (Ed.), Neurotransmitters, Drugs and Brain Function (pp. 57 - 80). : Wiley.
    • Green GM, Gibb AJ (2001). Characterization of the single-channel properties of NMDA receptors in laminae I and II of the dorsal horn of neonatal rat spinal cord. European Journal of Neuroscience, 14, 1590 - 1602.

    2000

    • Wong AYC, Burnstock G, Gibb AJ (2000). Single channel properties of P2X ATP receptors in outside-out patches from rat hippocampal granule cells. The Journal of Physiology, 527(3), 529 - 547.
    • Rycroft BK, Gibb AJ (2000). Calmodulin reduces the duration of single NMDA receptor channel activations in outside-out patches from rat hippocampal granule cells. EUR J NEUROSCI, 12, 39 - 39.

    1999

    • Wong AYC, Burnstock G, Gibb AJ (1999). The effect of suramin on single channel properties of P2X ATP receptors in outside-out patches from rat hippocampal granule cells.

    1998

    • Andolina I, Halliday FC, Gibb AJ (1998). Single channel properties of NMDA receptors of interneurones in the stratum oriens sub-field of the CA1 region in slices of rat hippocampus.
    • Rycroft B, Simcox R, Gibb AJ (1998). Inhibition of the phosphatase 2B, calcineurin, does not influence the single channel properties of NMDA receptors in outside-out patches from granule cells in slices of rat hippocampus.
    • Wong A, Burnstock G, Gibb AJ (1998). Characterisation of P2X ATP receptor single-channel properties in outside-out patches from granule cells in slices of rat hippocampus.
    • Halliday FC, Gibb AJ (1998). Patch clamping. In Cellis J (Ed.), Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook (pp. 359 - 373). : Academic Press.

    1997

    • Gibb AJ (1997). Structure and function of ion channel receptors. Anaesthesia Review, 13, 85 - 102.
    • Pina-Crespo JC, Gibb AJ (1997). Subtypes of native NMDA rfeceptors in new-born hippocampal granule cells and striatal neurons.
    • Pina-Crespo JC, Gibb AJ (1997). Ifenprodil selectively reduces the open probability of high conductance NMDA channels in dentate gyrus granule cells from 0-day-old rats.
    • Halliday FC, Gibb AJ (1997). Single channel properties of P2X ATP receptor-channels in the rat cerebellum.
    • Halliday FC, Gibb AJ (1997). Single-channel properties of P2X ATP receptors in rat cerebellar slices.
    • Halliday FC, Gibb AJ (1997). Neuropharmacology: A part for purines in pattern generation. Current Biology, 7, - .
    • Edwards FA, Robertson SJ, Gibb AJ (1997). Properties of ATP receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the rat medial habenula. Neuropharmacology, 36, 1253 - 1268.
    • Contractor A, Gibb AJ (1997). Metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated inhibition of NMDA responses in rat hippocampal granule cells.
    • Gibb AJ, Wyllie DJA (1997). Single-cell RT-PCR reaches out to the NMDA receptor. The Journal of Physiology, 499, 1 - 1.

    1995

    • Edmonds B, Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1995). Mechanisms of activation of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and the time course of endplate currents.. Annu Rev Physiol, 57, 469 - 493. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.57.030195.002345
    • Fredkin DR, Rice JA, Colquhoun D, Gibb AJ (1995). Persistence: A new statistic for characterizing ion-channel activity. PHILOS T R SOC B, 350(1334), 353 - 367.
    • Edmonds B, Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1995). Mechanisms of activation of glutamate receptors and the time course of excitatory synaptic currents.. Annu Rev Physiol, 57, 495 - 519. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.57.030195.002431
    • Connolly JG, Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1995). Heterogeneity of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in thin slices of rat medial habenula.. J Physiol, 484 ( Pt 1), 87 - 105.

    1994

    • Covernton PJO, Kojima H, Sivilotti LG, Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1994). Comparison of neuronal nicotinic receptors in rat sympathetic neurones with subunit pairs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The Journal of Physiology, 481, 27 - 34.

    1993

    • Stansfeld CE, Marsh SJ, Gibb AJ, Brown DA (1993). Identification of M-channels in outside-out patches excised from sympathetic ganglion cells.. Neuron, 10(4), 639 - 654.

    1992

    • Edwards FA, Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1992). ATP receptor-mediated synaptic currents in the central nervous system.. Nature, 359(6391), 144 - 147. doi:10.1038/359144a0
    • Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1992). Activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by L-glutamate in cells dissociated from adult rat hippocampus.. J Physiol, 456, 143 - 179.

    1991

    • Gibb AJ, Colquhoun D (1991). Glutamate activation of a single NMDA receptor-channel produces a cluster of channel openings.. Proc Biol Sci, 243(1306), 39 - 45. doi:10.1098/rspb.1991.0007

    1990

    • Gibb AJ, Kojima H, Carr JA, Colquhoun D (1990). Expression of cloned receptor subunits produces multiple receptors.. Proc Biol Sci, 242(1304), 108 - 112. doi:10.1098/rspb.1990.0112