1999 Medicine Handbook

Anatomy

Head: Professor J F Bertram
Address: Department of Anatomy, Monash University, Clayton 3168
Telephone: (03) 9905 2751
Fax: (03) 9905 2766
Email: john.bertram@med.monash.edu.au

Thalassaemic research This project studies in detail the molecular basis, incidence, clinical and public health manifestations of anaemias of clinical significance in selected populations. The molecular diversity of these common disorders is currently being investigated using a variety of methods including restriction enzyme analysis of DNA, the sequencing of PCR amplified globin genes and mutation detection by chemical cleavage of DNA.
Cruciate ligament repairs Anterior cruciate injuries (ACL)/rupture are very common in athletes, motor car and other accidents and lead to considerable short and long term disability. Recent work demonstrates that human autograft collagen fibres used to replace the ACL are uniformly of small diameter and do not approach the large diameter fibres seen in the patellar tendon from which the grafts are derived. This study aims to develop improved methods for the repair of ACL injuries in humans.
Hormonal control of testicular function For over fifty years it has been known that the gonadotrophic hormones FSH and LH, together with testosterone, control the process of adult male testicular function. We know that testosterone plays a predominant role in the control of spermatogenesis and fertility, though little is known about the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of testosterone action in the testis. This study is focussed on the actions of FSH and testosterone on the proliferation and maturation of the germ cells.
Hormonal control of testicular development The first of these involves the factors controlling testicular size and capacity to produce sperm. Work currently in progress in the laboratory is centred on the role of thyroid hormone in the control of testicular development in the neonatal animal. More recent work has demonstrated that the effects of hypothyroidism are synergistic with elevated levels of FSH. This project is directed at eliciting the mechanisms of these effects.
Stereology The application of contemporary stereological methods to the quantification of tissue components, especially methods relating to the estimation of cell number. The biological application of these methods has been both the investigation of the hormonal control of spermatogenesis and the hormonal control of testicular development particularly in the context of spermatogenic potential. This project offers 'hands on' experience in stereological techniques.
Neurodegeneration research The aim is to prevent in vivo death of motor and sensory neurons using neurotrophic factors (eg LIF) or by blocking death-signalling molecules (eg p75 and bax). This research will provide new insights for the treatment of human motor neuron disease or sensory neuropathies associated with diabetes.
Factors regulating regeneration of motor neurones The regeneration of nerves following damage is often poor. Over recent years many new neural growth factors have been identified and some of these factors show great potential to aid in the repair of the peripheral nervous system. The project will involve the microsurgical repair of peripheral nerve and an assessment of functional recovery.
Neural pathways for motor control This project will use the latest techniques to investigate the connections between the different areas of the brain involved in motion control. The project involves injection of very small amounts of neuronal tracer to map neuronal pathways.
Transgenic mice without dopamine receptors The molecular neurobiology laboratory aims to investigate neural diseases and normal brain development using recombinant DNA technology. Homologous recombination has been utilised to generate gene knockout mice with functional ablation of the brain dopamine receptors involved in Parkinson's disease. Gene targeting will also be exploited to generate mice in which toxin genes are introduced into specific subpopulations of developing brain cells.
Parkinson's disease and dyskinesias: Several research projects are being conducted into the cases and possible treatment of these debilitating conditions. This project uses a number of techniques to study the basic mechanisms of clinically important disorders of movement.