The role of bombesin-3 system in controlling palatble food and fluid intake
This project aims to investigate a population of bombesin-3-receptor expressing nerve cells (neurons) that decreases palatable food and fluid intake using cutting-edge genetically encoded techniques. Understanding this neural population is significant because highly palatable foods are ubiquitous in society and often eaten excessively, which disrupts energy homeostasis.
Expected outcomes of this project include a thorough characterisation of a neural population, which decreases palatable food and fluid intake, and the construction of a neural circuit map by tracing the neural projections. Expected benefits include a detailed understanding of the brain circuits regulating intake of highly palatable foods and fluids.
Aims
- To investigate the role of activating or inactivating bombesin 3 receptor-expressing neurons on the intake of high vs low fat diet, and high vs low calorie solutions.
- To investigate the physiological activation of bombesin 3 receptor-expressing neurons after ingestion of different substances and solutions.
- To map the connectome of bombesin 3 receptor-expressing neurons.
Research team
Supervisor
Research group
Collaborators
Dr Robyn Brown – Co-supervisor, University of Melbourne
Professor Andrew Lawrence – Addiction Neuroscience Group.
Take part in this project
Student applications
Students who are applying to study at The Florey can register their interest in this project. Refer to our step-by-step guide to help you with your application.
Contact us
If you’re interested in learning more about this project please contact our team.