Molecular Nociception
Macro neurons, in purple

Molecular Nociception

The Molecular Nociception Group focuses on genetic approaches to understanding the biology of nociceptors (damage-sensing neurons), somatosensation, pain and touch.

Neural Computation
A network of synthetic neocortical pyramidal cells created using the 'TREES toolbox' software environment. This creates dendritic trees in a variety of colours

Neural Computation

The Neural Computation Laboratory uses optical and anatomical approaches to understand the how the cellular and network properties of neural circuits contribute to coding and processing information.

Neural Development, Plasticity and Repair
Concept image of a brain surrounding by neurons and connective strands

Neural Development, Plasticity and Repair

The Neural Development, Repair and Plasticity group is investigating how new neurons and glia arise in the embryonic and adult brain and their roles in circuit function, learning and behaviour.

Drug Discovery
A scientist pouring a small sample into a conical flask, with an overlay of chemical molecular structures.

Drug Discovery

We take a chemical biology approach to understanding biological mechanisms.

Neural Circuits for Pain
Brain cortex in blue, against black background

Neural Circuits for Pain

Our goal is to understand how the brain processes pain.

Cortical Processing Lab
Cortex Lab

Cortical Processing Lab

We aim to understand how populations of neurons combine sensory and internal signals to guide action.

Contacts

Prof. David Selwood, Drug Discovery

Prof. Edith Chan, Drug Discovery 

Prof. John Wood, Molecular Nociception

Dr Jing Zhao, Molecular Nociception

Dr James Cox, Molecular Nociception

Dr Andrei Okorokov, Molecular Nociception

Prof. Michael Hausser, Circuit Neuroscience

Prof. Beverley Clark, Circuit Neuroscience

Prof. William Richardson, Neural Development, Plasticity & Repair

Prof. Huiliang Li, Neural Development, Plasticity & Repair

Prof. Nicoletta Kessaris, Neural Development, Plasticity & Repair

Dr Liam Browne, Neural Circuits For Pain

Recent publications

  1. Pryce G, Sisay S, Giovannoni G, Selwood DL, Baker D (2023). Neuroprotection in an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis via Opening of Big Conductance, Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels. Pharmaceuticals, 16 (7), 972.
  2. Buller S, Kohnke S, Hansford R, Shimizu T, Richardson WD, Blouet C (2023). Median eminence myelin continuously turns over in adult mice. Molecular Metabolism, 101690.
  3. Kessaris N, Denaxa M (2023). Cortical interneuron specification and diversification in the era of big data. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 80, 102703.
  4. Fuller AM, Luiz A, Tian N ... Sikandar, S, et al (2023). Gate control of sensory neurotransmission in peripheral ganglia by proprioceptive sensory neurons. Brain, awad182.
  5. Fişek M, Herrmann D, Egea-Weiss A, et al (2023). Cortico-cortical feedback engages active dendrites in visual cortex. Nature, 617 (7962) pp. 769-776.
  6. Mikaeili H, Habib AM, Yeung CW-L ... Cox JJ (2023). Molecular basis of FAAH-OUT-associated human pain insensitivity. Brain, awad098.
  7. Gao L, Zhao J-X, Qin X-M, Zhao J (2023). The ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi attenuates complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain by suppression of P2X3 receptor. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 116762.
  8. Jami S, Deuis JR, Klasfauseweh T ... Vetter, I (2023). Pain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate NaV1.7 function. Nature Communications, 14, 2442.
  9. Iseppon F, Luiz AP, Linley JE, Wood JN (2023). Pregabalin silences oxaliplatin-activated sensory neurons to relieve cold allodynia. eNeuro.
  10. Qin Q, Wang M, Li H, Xu ZD, Tang Y (2023). Editorial: The role of microglia in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14, 1105896.
  11. Zhu W, Li W, Jiang J ... Li, N (2023). Chronic salmon calcitonin exerts an antidepressant effect via modulating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 16, 1071327.
  12. Wang T, Zhou Y, Fan Y ... Li N, et al (2023). PERK-Mediated Cholesterol Excretion from IDH Mutant Glioma Determines Anti-Tumoral Polarization of Microglia. Advanced Science, e2205949.

Recent highlights

  • Clara Gathmann (Drug Discovery Lab) wins the Small Molecules TIN PDS with her pitch, 'Novel GEF-H1 inhibitors against ocular diseases' (December 2020)
  • Neuroscientists in the Circuit Neuroscience group have used laser beams to “switch on” neurons in mice, providing new insight into the hidden workings of memory and showing how memories underpin the brain’s inner GPS system. Using light to reprogramme the brain’s GPS. (November 2020)
  • Dr Dimitar Kostadinov from the Hausser Lab is a winner in the Neuroscience Early Career Prize Winners Showcase (November 2020)
  • Helena Perez Pena, MSc Drug Design (2018-19) wins the Dean’s Research Prize for best research project poster (February 2020)
  • Dr James Cox, Senior Lecturer within Prof John Wood's Molecular Nociception Group, reveals how scientists are unraveling the mysteries of pain (December 2019)