Sydney University Neuroscience

Research Themes:

Professor N Hunt

Molecular Pathology Laboratory Head: Professor Nick Hunt Staff: Dr Helen Ball • Mr Andrew Mitchell • Ms Catherine Driussi. Students: Ms Anna Hansen • Ms Annie Maitland • Ms Sarah Potter • Ms Jenny Miu. A main focus of research in the laboratory is the study of the immunopathogenesis of cerebral malaria, a major life threatening complication of malaria infection. The bulk of our work is carried out using mouse models of this disease. We are particularly interested in the role of immune system molecules such as cytokines and chemokines in causing this fatal complication of malaria infection. Another area of interest is studying the biochemistry of cerebral malaria using NMR. This is a collaboration with Dr Caroline Rae, Department of Biochemistry. We are particularly interested in the role of the endothelium in the brain microcirculation and its relevance to cerebral malaria. Part of this study is carried out in collaboration with Professor Roland Stocker of the Heart Research Institute, Sydney. Other collaborative studies are carried out with Dr Tailoi Chan-Ling, (Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney) Professor Junji Yodoi, (Kyoto University, Japan) and Dr Lim Sai-Kiang (Singapore). Aspects of human cerebral malaria are being studied in collaboration with Drs Isabelle Medana and Gareth Turner (Oxford, UK) and Jeremy Farrar (Viet Nam). Technical approaches include: Gene expression analysis using microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR Laser capture microdissection Western analysis Immunohistochemistry Retinal wholemounts Flow cytometry Histopathology Tissue culture In future, the laboratory would like to become more involved in CNS function studies. - Go To Laboratory - Contact details: Professor Nick Hunt, email nhunt@pathology.usyd.edu.au back

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