Research Interests
Dr Rebecca Bertrand |
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| Phone 02 9385 3947 |
| Email |
| Qualifications BSc Hons (Melb) Physiology, PhD (Melb) Physiology |
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| School/Unit |
| School of Medical Sciences |
| http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/SOMSWeb.nsf/page/Enjoyable+Gut+Neuroscience
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| Broad Research Areas | |
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Neuroscience
Physiology
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Pharmacology
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| Specific Research Keywords | |
| Synaptic Transmission in the Enteric Nervous System
Electrophysiology
Pharmacology
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| Research Interests | |
| The gastrointestinal tract turns out to be quite a complicated organ. You might think it's just absorb this and poop that, but how does that really happen? A lot of it is controlled by a massive network of neurons located within the gut (called the enteric nervous system) - that's right, the brain isn't the only place where a whole bunch of neurons live. We investigate how this network of neurons manages to control the workings of the intestine without any help from the brain. We record from individual neurons (intracellular electrophysiology) to see how they communicate with their neighbours and how the neighbours talk to them (synaptic transmission). We also look at it from the whole organ level.
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| ILP Research Interests (Will supervise ILP students) |
| Digestive System Diseases
Gastrointestinal System
Nervous System
Neurons
Neurophysiology
Neurotransmitters
Pharmacology
Physiology
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| Project Topics for current Honours Students |
| Pharmacology of synaptic transmission in the gut.
Description: Gastrointestinal tract function is controlled by a large network of neurons that reside within the wall of the intestine. This network contains sensory neurons, interneurons and motor neurons. Many neurotransmitters are involved in neurotransmission within the intestine. This project will examine which neurotransmitters are involved in controlling gut function using in vitro preparations with pharmacological manipulations and immunohistochemistry. | |
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| Society Memberships & Professional Activities | |
| ANS - Australian Neuroscience Society
APS - American Physiological Society
SfN - Society for Neuroscience (USA)
AuPS - Australian Physiological Society
ESNM - European Society of Neurogastroenterology & Motility
ISAN - International Society for Autonomic Neuroscience
ANGMA - Australasian Neuro-Gastroenterology & Motility Association
ASCEPT - Australasian Soc. of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacologists & Toxicologists
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| Funding Sources | |
| 2009-2010 Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Foundation | |
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| Key works/Publications | |
| Bertrand PP and Bertrand RL (2009) Serotonin release and uptake in the gastrointestinal tract. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical
Bertrand PP, Hu X, Mach J and Bertrand RL (2008) Serotonin (5-HT) release and uptake measured by real-time electrochemical techniques in the rat ileum. American Journal of Physiology 295, G1228-36.
Monro RL, Bornstein JC and Bertrand PP (2008) Synaptic Transmission from the Submucosal Plexus to the Myenteric Plexus in Guinea-Pig Ileum. Neurogastroenterology and Motility 20, 1165-73.
Bertrand PP and Bertrand RL (2007) Teaching basic gastrointestinal physiology using classic papers by Dr. Walter B. Cannon. Advances in Physiology Education 31, 136-9.
Monro RL, Bornstein JC and Bertrand PP (2005) Slow excitatory post-synaptic potentials in myenteric AH neurons of the guinea-pig ileum are reduced by the 5-hydroxytryptamine7 receptor antagonist SB 269970. Neuroscience 134, 975-86.
Monro RL, Bertrand PP and Bornstein JC (2004) ATP participates in three excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the submucous plexus of the guinea pig ileum. Journal of Physiology 556, 571-584.
Monro RL, Bertrand PP and Bornstein JC (2002) ATP and 5-HT are the principal neurotransmitters in the descending excitatory reflex pathway of the guinea-pig ileum. Neurogastroenterology and Motility 14, 255-264. | |
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| Further Information | |
| http://www.rebecca-bertrand.com/ | |
Profile last updated: 17/08/2009
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