Anatomy

Head: Professor D H Barkla
Address: Department of Anatomy, Monash University, Clayton 3168
Telephone: (03) 9905 2751

• + 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.
• + DNA fingerprinting studies The reproductive fitness of males in natural populations is measured by their capacity to sire progeny which survive to reproduce in the next generation. In these studies we are using genetic fingerprinting and fluorescent-probe techniques to examine population heterogeneity, to determine paternity and to examine the effects of different mating strategies and insemination procedures on sperm competition in some selected mammalian species.
• + 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.
• + Reproduction in marsupials Six distinct life history strategies have been recognised within the family Dasyuridae (the carnivorous marsupials). The semelparous species have perhaps the most interesting strategy with a mating period that is shorter than gestation and highly synchronised and abrupt mortality of all males, often before females have ovulated, at the end of their first short mating period. The study aims to establish the hormonal control mechanisms for reproduction in marsupials.
• + Hormonal control of testicular function For over 50 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 In vivo and in vitro investigations of neuronal degeneration in order to better understand Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Motor Neurone Disease as well as diabetic neuropathies. This study screens novel therapeutic agents which block neurodegenerative processes and maps postmortem human brain and spinal cord tissue to determine neurodegenerative changes.
• + Control of movement Several experiments are underway examining how the cerebellum and basal ganglia influence the cortex during skilled or learned movements. The student will learn how to perform single cells studies in the live animal.
• + 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 Parkinsons disease. Gene targeting will also be exploited to generate mice in which toxin genes are introduced into specific subpopulations of developing brain cells.