Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology
About the IPP
The Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology (IPP) research group focuses on human disease, exploring the molecular causes and functional consequences. Our interests span the range from cardiovascular and bowel disease to muscular dystrophy and sensory encoding. Our research is primarily funded by the NHMRC and designed to determine the real life consequences of disease. Our goal is to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics to help cure human disease. The IPP is composed of 5 major divisions which together occupy the 3rd floor (north) of the Wallace Wurth building with some laboratory space in the Biological Sciences building.
Research Themes
Gastrointestinal Disease: This group is headed by A/Prof Paul Bertrand and seeks to investigate how the gastrointestinal tract senses lumenal contents and initiates the correct reflex or motor program to carry out the process of digestion.
Cardiovascular Disease: The Cardiovascular Disease group is headed by Drs Tim Murphy and Shaun Sandow. The group aims to determine how cells in arteries communicate with one another and specifically, how they control the balance between the way that arteries narrow (constrict) and enlarge (dilate).
Muscular Dystrophy: The Muscular Dystrophy group is headed by Dr Stewart Head and their particular interest is in the area of the muscular dystrophies and studying the role of [Ca2+]i in the physiology and pathophysiology of skeletal muscle.
Sensory Neuroscience: The Sensory Neuroscience group works on the mechanisms underlying sensory perception, with the object of developing prostheses to facilitate navigation, reading and ultimately vision for the blind. This group is headed by Dr Richard Vickery and Prof John Morley.
Membrane and Cellular Biophysics: This project is headed by Dr Andrew Moorhouse, Dr Trevor Lewis and E/Prof Peter Barry. Our group deals with the structure and function of ion channels that underlie the process of neurotransmission.
Major Researchers