• Enteric Neurobiology
• Gastrointestinal Physiology
• Neuroimmune interactions
• Hirschsprung Disease
• Molecular Mechanisms of Pain
• Transient Receptor Potential Channels
• Opioid Receptors

Currently Recruiting PhD Students

CURRENT POSITIONS

Co-director of the Integrated Neurogenic Mechanisms Laboratory, Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (with Dr Nik Veldhuis and Dr Simona Carbone).

Secretary, Australasian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (ANGMA) https://www.angma.org.au/

Secretary, Society For Neuroscience (SFN), Melbourne Chapter

BROAD RESEARCH PROGRAM

1. Defining the cellular environment of the gut.

It is now appreciated that complex interactions between diverse cell types are essential for normal gastrointestinal processes. These interactions may be disrupted in disease, leading to altered gut function. Our research characterizes key cell types in the gut in health and disease including resident macrophages and glial cells. We examine how these cells communicate with each other and interact with the enteric nervous system (ENS) to influence key physiological processes.

2. G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) expression and signaling in the ENS.

Although GPCRs are a major target of currently approved therapeutics, our current understanding of GPCR biology in the ENS is limited. Our research program examines GPCR expression, trafficking and signaling specifically in enteric neurons. Our current focus is on opioid and muscarinic receptors.