PhD Research

One of the key ways that the brain processes information is by the exchange of intricate chemical messages between neurons. These messages often depend for their effect on the precise localisation of the corresponding chemical receptors. This localisation is very difficult to determine by traditional experimental means.

My research attempts to apply a combination of scanning ion conductance microscopy, patch clamp electrophysiology and optical fluorescence microscopy to this localisation problem. The initial target for this attempt is the mechanism underlying a form of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum known as depolarisation-induced potentiation of inhibition. This is thought to be mediated by presynaptic NMDA receptors on basket and stellate cell terminals, but their presence in this location is disputed.

If the approach works, it should also be applicable to many other questions.

In addition to the (fairly brief) descriptive pages linked above, the following documents may also be downloaded:

• No, not the mind probe! (PDF), a poster presented at Cumberland Lodge in 2008
• My end-of-first-year transfer report (PDF)
• Investigating the mechanics of neurotransmission in the cerebellum (PPT), a talk given at Cumberland Lodge in 2009 (also available as a PDF)