TNF Sensori-Motor Group (PI Housley)

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Research Interests

Broadly, our aim is to translate discoveries about transmembrane receptor and ion channel signal transduction, into new platforms for treatment of neurological disorders. Our research program focuses on neuroprotection and repair in sensori-motor pathways. A principal area of research concerns the molecular and cellular basis of hearing loss (auditory neuroscience), where we investigate cell signalling that contributes to sensory hair cell and neuronal death due to noise and aging. Study of neural development and synaptic plasticity in the auditory system informs on gene-targets for neural repair. This research has an applied arm with respect to bionics such as the cochlear implant, and more broadly in developing neural interfaces with the brain. Within the brain, we are investigating neural plasticity associated with driven input ( e.g. via the cochlear implant) and mechanisms for protection and repair of the nervous system (such as ischaemic brain injury, a model of stroke). Hearing loss is the most prominent sensory disability in our society. Stroke is the third highest killer and the most disabling for survivors. Our work is supported by national and international collaborations and funding.

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Current External Collaborators

Prof. Allen Ryan (Univ. California, San Diego, USA); Prof. Peter Thorne, Dr. Srdjan Vlajkovic, Dr. Johanna Montgomery & Dr. Meagan Barclay (Univ. Auckland, NZ); Prof. Jean-Pierre Julien (Laval University, Quebec, CAD), Prof. Lutz Birnbaumer (NIEHS-NIH, USA); Prof. Graham Galloway, Dr. Nyoman Kurniawan, Dr. Gary Cowin (Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Univ. Queensland, AU); Dr. Baljit Khakh (Univ.California, Los Angeles, USA), Prof. Guy Van Camp, Dr. Jeroen Huyghe, Dr. Erik Fransen (Univ. Antwerp, Belgium); Prof. Shin-ichi Usami (Shinshu Univ., Japan); Prof. Don Robertson (Univ. Western Australia, Perth, AU).

Industry Partners
Cochlear Ltd (Dr. Jim Patrick , Dr. Martin Svehla)
Roche Palo Alto (Dr. Deborah Cockayne)

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Current Projects

• Physiological significance of ligand-gated and receptor-coupled ion channels in the cochlea.
• Molecular protection from noise-induced hearing loss.
• Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants.
• Ion channels and cerebellar ischaemic brain injury (a model of stroke).

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Funding

• NHMRC Project Grant 2010 - ID No. 630618
  Hearing protection conferred by P2X2 receptor signaling in the cochlea

• ARC Linkage Grant - LP0992098
  Gene therapy to enhance auditory prothesis performance for cochlear implants

• ARC Discovery Grant 2010 - DP1097202
  Physiological significance of transient receptor potential (TRPC3) ion channels in the cochlea

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Recent Publications

• Housley GD, Gale JE (2010) Purinergic signalling in the inner ear - perspectives and progress. Purinergic Signalling. DOI 10.1007/s11302-010-9196-5. PDF

• Huang, L-C, Thorne, PR, Vlajkovic, SM, Housley, GD (2010) Differential expression of P2Y receptors in the rat cochlea during development. Purinergic Signalling DOI: 10.1007/s11302-010-9191 PDF

• Telang RS, Paramananthasivam V, Vlajkovic SM, Munoz DJB, Housley GD, Thorne PR (2010) Reduced P2X₂ receptor – mediated regulation of endocochlear potential in the ageing mouse cochlea. Purinergic Signalling. DOI: 10.1007/s11302-010-9195-6 PDF

• O’Keeffe, MG, Thorne, PR, Housley, GD, Robson, SC, Vlajkovic, SM (2010) Distribution of NTPDase5 and NTPDase6 and the regulation of P2Y receptor signaling in the cochlea. Purinergic Signalling. DOI: 10.1007/s11302-010-9190-y PDF

• Vlajkovic, SM, Lee, K-H, Wong, ACY, Guo, CX, Gupta, R, Housley, GD, Thorne, PR (2010) Adenosine amine congener mitigates noise-induced cochlear injury. Purinergic Signalling DOI: 10.1007/s11302-010-9188-5 PDF

• Vlajkovic SM, Guo CX, Dharmawardana N, Wong ACY, Boison D, Housley GD, Thorne PR (2010) The role of adenosine kinase in cochlear development and response to noise. Journal of Neuroscience Research 88(12):2598-609.

• Phan PAB, Tadros SF, Kim Y, Birnbaumer L, Housley GD (2010) Developmental regulation of TRPC3 ion channel expression in the mouse cochlea. Histochemistry and Cell Biology 133(4):437-48. (DOI: 10.1007/s00418-010-0686-x).

• O’Keeffe MG, Thorne PR, Housley GD, Robson SC, Vlajkovic SM (2010) Developmentally regulated expression of ectonucleotidases NTPDase5 and NTPDase6 and UDP-preferring P2Y receptors in the rat cochlea. Histochemistry and Cell Biology 133(4):425-36.

• Barclay, M., Julien, J-P., Ryan, A.F., Housley, G.D. (2010) Type III intermediate filament peripherin inhibits neuritogenesis in type II spiral ganglion neurons in vitro. Neuroscience Letters 478: 51-55. DOI:10.1016/j.neulet.2010.01.063.

• Wong AC, Guo CX, Gupta R, Housley GD, Thorne, PR, Vlajkovic SM (2010) Post exposure administration of A(1) adenosine receptor agonists attenuates noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing Research 260(1-2), 81-8.

• Tadros SF, Kim Y, Phan P.A.B., Birnbaumer L, Housley GD (2010) TRPC3 ion channel subunit immunolocalization in the cochlea. Histochemistry and Cell Biology 133(2):137-47.

• Housley, GD., Bringmann, A., Reichenbach, A. (2009) Purinergic signaling in special senses. Trends in Neurosciences 32(3):128-141.

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Projects for Honours and PhD

A number of projects are available for honours and PhD students to work in the TNF.
Please, contact Prof. Gary Housley for details.

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Positions Available

We have the following research positions available- Jobs@UNSW.
For information, email Prof. Gary Housley (g.housley@unsw.edu.au)

1. Research Fellow (Post-doc)
2. Research Assistant
3. Research Assistant