This page is a summary of research in the Cell Biology Laboratory with links to detailed resource pages.
Currently a Template page only.
Page Links: Retina | Neural Differentiation | Cytoskeleton | mRNA Localization | Lab |
Links to more detailed pages
- Research - Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
- Research - Methods - Actin
- Research - Methods - Apoptosis
- Research - Methods - Fixation
- Research - Methods - Glutamate Cytotoxicity
- Research - Methods - Microscopy
- Research - Methods - Statistics
- Research - Methods - Tissue Culture
- Research - References - Library
- Research - References - CBL Library
Role of pressure in Glaucoma, with Prof M. Coroneo (POWH). This is an ongoing long-term collaboration based upon our joint interest in the neural retina, as an excellent model of neural development and its relationship neural disease. My contribution is as a cell biologist with experience in neural development, in vitro models and signal transduction (apoptosis, cell death). We have co-supervised postgraduate students, several grants, publications (4,6,8,9) and meeting presentations.
Differentiation and characterization of a retinal ganglion cell line, with Prof N. Agarwal. This is a unique recently generated rat retinal ganglion cell line generated in Prof Agarwal’s lab. The cell line has enormous potential as an in vitro neural model for neural development and analyzing retinal disease. My contribution is as a cell biologist with experience in signal transduction in the differentiation of neurons. A paper (9) has just been accepted in Brain Research using this retinal ganglion cell line and two honours projects (2005, 2006) are based upon optimizing a differentiation protocol.
Signal transduction regulating cell shape in neurons with Prof J. Bamburg (Colorado State University). This project combines our joint interest in actin cytoskeleton regulation of cell shape and motility. While on SSP leave in Prof Bamburg’s lab I learnt adenoviral gene transfection techniques for neuronal gene expression and helped develop a new adenoviral protein system. I have brought back to my lab a series of actin cytoskeleton regulators that I hope to use in our own neural systems.
Regulation of stem cell differentiation, with A/Prof A. Amini (Razi University, Iran). This project began when A/Prof Amini visited my lab some time ago while we were using retinoic acid in the differentiation of neural cell lines. My contribution was training him in cell culture techniques and signal transduction pathways. He has subsequently established his own tissue culture research lab in Iran and and experimented with retinoic acid differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. This has resulted in both a publication (5) and meeting presentation. A/Prof Amini is currently (2006) on study leave in my lab where we intend to look at mechanisms of differentiating neuronal lines and neurons from stem cells.
Intracellular localization of messenger RNA in cells and functional role of messenger RNA localization. This is an ongoing project, when funding permits, and involves the role of targeting sequences in localizing mRNA within cells. Such localization is thought to be involved with general cellular development, but in particular the development of cells with complex shapes or motility such as neurons. There is good evidence that disruption of localization may also play a role in neural disease processes (eg Fragile X).
The Lab has OGTR licenced PC2 facilities, molecular biology, protein chemistry and cell culture resources directly available.
In addition, there are several central resources, tissue processing, image analysis etc available within SOMS.
There are many diverse methods used in the laboratory and a methods page provides a central resource link to current methods and external useful links.
These pages are an update of earlier lab research pages.
Please email Dr Mark Hill if you wish to make a comment about this current project.