Sydney University Neuroscience

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Molecular Neuropharmacology

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Molecular Neuropharmacology

Associate Professor RD Allan
Dr VJ Balcar
Dr BCH Chieng
Professor MJ Christie
Dr M Collins
Dr M Connor
Professor G Johnston
Professor GAR Johnston
Dr M Kassiou
Associate Professor EJ Mylecharane
Dr R Vandenberg
Dr CW Vaughan

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In a multi-scale approach, University of Sydney researchers study the chemical signals at synapses. While some discover the structure and function of these molecules and their receptors, others work on the design and synthesis of new drugs that interact directly with them.

Researchers develop radiochemistry and imaging technology to track neurotransmitters, tease out the role of monoamines in schizophrenia, and study the cellular neuropharmacology of pain, opioids and drug addiction.

In one project, scientists are studying compounds in herbal preparations of gingko, green tea and camomile tea suspected of enhancing memory and reducing anxiety. The scientists are determining how the compounds act on the brain, and modifying them to improve their performance. The work has the potential to deliver new memory enhancing and anxiety-reducing drugs.

Research Themes:

RD Allan and GAR Johnston

Prize winning computer generated image
of an analogue of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, by PhD student Jeremy Greenwood of the Adrien Albert Laboratory

The Adrien Albert Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry was named after the late Adrien Albert,who established medicinal chemistry in Australia and was the author of many important books including Selective Toxicity. The Laboratory's expertise is in the medicinal chemistry, neurochemistry and neuropharmacology of the amino acid neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate, and of ATP-gated potassium channels. The Laboratory has projects involving the design, synthesis and evaluation of new chemical entities as investigational and as therapeutic agents. The major target disorders include Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, diabetes, epilepsy and schizophrenia.

- Link to Laboratory -

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VJ Balcar
Neural localization and function of amino acid and purinergic receptors.

B (C-H) Chieng • Go to Laboratory
Cellular neuropharmacology of drug addiction.

MJ Christie and M Connor • Go to Laboratory
Cellular neuropharmacology of pain, opioids and drug addiction.

M Collins
Neurochemistry, chemistry and pharmacology of amino acid neurotransmitters.

G Johnston
Behavioural neuropharmacology of psychiatric disorders.

M Kassiou
Radiochemistry and imaging technologies for neurotransmitter markers in drug addiction and neurological disorders.

EJ Mylecharane
Role of monoamine neurotransmitters in models of schizophrenia.

R Vandenberg • Go to Laboratory
Molecular structure and function of neurotransmitter transporters.

CW Vaughan
Cellular physiology of pain, opioids and drug addiction.

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