Research interests
Molecular mechanism of synaptic function and dysfunction
- Synaptic degeneration
- Genetic models of synaptic and neuronal dysfunction.
- Molecular regulation of behaviour in model organism C.elegans.
- Translating understanding in basic neurobiology to drug regulation to clinical conditions.
- Translating understanding in basic neurobiology to chemical regulation of animal and plant parasites.
PhD research
Stress pathways: cause and effect in the ME7 model of neurodegeneration. (MRC/GKCT).
Food adaptive feeding behaviour the role of neuropeptide modulation (GKCT).
Mode of action studies for a novel anthelminthic (Industrial funding; Makhteshim-Agan).
Investigation potential anthelmintic compounds using C.elegans anthelminthic (Industrial funding; Bayer).
Novel microfluidic devices for functional investigation of C.elegans (University Funding).
Small heat shock protein regulation in protein folding induced neurodegeneration).
PhD Supervision
Euan Scott: Modelling ESKAPE bacteria’s pathogenicity in C.elegans. BBSRC Public Health England.
Samar Zarroug: Investigating feeding modulation in C.elegans. IfLS studentship.
Caroline Rivers: Emodepside mode of action in plant parasitic nematodes. BBSRC
Emily Feist: Mode of action studies of Fluensulfone. Adam
Ellie Kirby: Mode of action studies of Fluensulfone. Adama
Monika Kudelska: Investigating mechanisms of Neonicotinoid dependent regulation. GKCT.
Patricia Gonzalez: Modelling cholinesterase plasticity using C.elegans neuromuscular junction. DSTL.
Aleksandra Pitera: Injury responses in Tau mediated neurodgeneration. Alzheimer’s Society
Research group
Plants and Food Security
Affiliate research groups
Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, Southampton Neuroscience Group (SoNG), Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS)
Research project(s)
The neurobiology of plant parasitic nematodes.
Genetic differences have been identified in individuals with autism and schizophrenia. Here we are using the model organism C. elegans to investigate how these genetic differences bring about changes in the function of neural circuits.
Structural/functional studies of the ligand binding domains of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Bioinformatic identification and physiological analysis of ethanol-related genes in C. elegans - Dormant
Using the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, to investigate the broad molecular, cellular and systems level impacts of acute and chronic ethanol treatment.
Changes in the pattern of behaviour with increasing alcohol intake in humans reflect its complex effects on the brain.
Mammalian Neurodegeneration
ME7 Synaptopathy model: a protein aggregation disease to model Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic neurodegeneration
We are using a mouse model of prion disease which like Alzheimer’s is associated with the extracellular deposition of misfolded protein and an accompanying loss of synapses.
Metabotropic Glutamate receptors (mGluRs) models to investigate synaptic organization
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlurs) are important determinants of glutamatergic transmission.
These receptors are evolutionary conserved and we have been able to investigate how these molecules control simple behaviours in the 302 neuronal cell (approx 6000 synapse) simple nervous system of C.elegans.
Plasticity of behaviour for good and bad
We have established facets of worm behaviour that can be readily measured in response to food withdrawal, a mimic of a starvation response.
Plasticity through scaffolding molecules
The classic model used to study long-term changes is long-term potentiation (LTP), in the hippocampus. It is thought that the molecular changes that occur to bring about LTP are important for learning and memory.
Protein misfolding and the neuroprotective role of molecular chaperones
Molecular chaperones such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) regulate protein folding, misfolding, protein degradation and signalling pathways involved in neuronal death and survival.
Professor Vincent O'ConnorSchool of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Room Number : 85/3049
