Dr Charles Claudianos - Molecular Mechanisms of Senses and Synapses

Research directions

The Claudianos laboratory seeks to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying sensory processing, learning and memory. In particular, Dr Claudianos aims to uncover the molecular underpinnings of sensory driven plasticity in the brain. Using animals with small brains such as insects as model organisms, the Claudianos lab investigates how sensory exposure and experience triggers molecular changes in the neuronal substrate at the sensory periphery (olfactory receptors, visual pigments) and in higher brain centres where learning occurs and memories are stored (synaptic molecules). The aim is to unravel the sub-code of molecular events associated with synaptic connectivity during sensory processing and learning, and uncover how these events are linked to mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. 

Dr Claudianos’ research is carried out in close collaboration with Professor Mandyam Srinivasan, A/Prof Bruno van Swinderen, and Dr Judith Reinhard, in a multidisciplinary team, which includes behavioural scientists, neurophysiologists, biochemists, molecular geneticists, and engineers. PhD projects and postdoctoral positions are available in each of the following areas.

Synaptic molecules

• Neurexin
• Neuroligins
• LRRTMs
• Acetylcholinesterase
• Carboxyl/cholinesterase superfamily
• Bioinformatic analysis of neural systems
• Molecular evolution of the synapse
• Comparative genomics (vertebrates/invertebrates)

Olfaction and evolution

• Co-evolution of Olfactory Receptors in bees with plant radiations
• How plastic is the bee’s olfactory system? Our goal is to determine which parts of the olfactory system are hardwired and which are subject to neural plasticity

Techniques used in the laboratory

• Molecular biological approaches including cDNA and RNA analysis, recombinant protein expression, qtRT-PCR, microarray analysis, immuno histochemical approaches
• Biochemical methods, including HPLC and protein-ligand interactions
• Bioinformatics: phylogenetics and protein structural modelling
  
• Cellular and genetic approaches: neuronal explant cultures, RNAi interference, marker/tagged gene expression, and electrophysiology
  
• Behavioural assays, including learning and memory protocols (in collaboration with Dr Judith Reinhard and A/Prof Bruno van Swinderen)
  
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of insect brains

Current collaborations

• Prof Mandyam Srinivasan, The University of Queensland
• Dr Judith Reinhard, The University of Queensland
• A/Prof Bruno van Swinderen, The University of Queensland
• Prof Zila Simoes, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Dr John Oakeshott, CSIRO Entomology
• Dr Robyn Russell, CSIRO Entomology
• Thinking Systems Research Group, The University of Queensland

Selected publications

On this site