DoctorWilliam Connelly

Project Total: $53,169; Conventional trapping of Tasmanian Devils is required to monitor the spread of DFTD and will be necessary to follow up any deployment of vaccines. However, trapping is labour intensive, as most traps are set off early in the night by non-target species such as quolls and bandicoots. This reduces the amount of data a scientist can collect, and causes unnecessary stress for these native animals. We will develop a trap which uses artificial intelligence to selectively trap devils. The trap will contain a small camera, which will allow an onboard processor to infer species type. If the species is not desirable, the trap will simply not close. This will increase our ability to determine the distribution and impact of DFT2 and enhance our ability to monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines. Funded by: University of Tasmania Foundation Inc - Internal Grant; University of Tasmania ($53,169).

Project Total: $24,985; This project aims to use the novel remote animal microchip scanner (RAMS) in monitoring disease-free Tasmanian devils at the Forestier Peninsula, Tasmania. This approach will enable researchers to study movement, survival, and disease status of individuals based on microchips and close-up facial images. Funded by: University of Tasmania Foundation Inc - Internal Grant; University of Tasmania ($24,985).

Project Total: $428,232; It is currently unknown whether demyelination and abnormal neural activity signalling that are present in multiple sclerosis (MS) impacts synaptic plasticity, and how neurons connect in the brain. This project uses mouse models of demyelination to examine its impact on neural circuit connections' structure and function during demyelination and further tests whether effects reverse during remyelination. Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Grant - Targeted Call ($428,232); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $631,634; The neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin influence brain function and they are both implicated in the aetiology of neurological disorders such as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. Intriguingly, oxytocin and vasopressin often work in opposition to each other. For example, oxytocin reduces, while vasopressin increases, anxiety. This suggests that a fine balance exists between oxytocin and vasopressin signalling in the brain and that disturbing this balance can lead to some forms of neurological disorders. Previous studies have utilised nonoptogenetic and optogenetic approaches to investigate the effects of either oxytocin or vasopressin on the central nervous system, but up until now it has been impossible to directly examine the endogenous balance between these neuropeptides and how shifting this balance influences behaviour. To do this we will use recently developed fluorescent and optogenetic tools to manipulate oxytocin and vasopressin release and signalling in the brain. Using these novel tools we will determine the triggers and investigate the time course of oxytocin and vasopressin release in the amygdala (a brain region critical for generating and regulating anxiety) and how altering the balance between oxytocin and vasopressin signalling in the brain influences behaviour (e.g. conditioned-fear and anxiety-like avoidance behaviours). To our knowledge, this project is the first attempt to unravel the complex interaction between oxytocin and vasopressin in the brain and, therefore, the first concerted attempt to directly test the hypothesis that alterations in the balance between oxytocin and vasopressin could underpin the development of neurological disorders such as post-traumatic stress and anxiety. Because of this, we anticipate that the findings of this project will open new pathways in the search for treatments for fear and anxiety, two disorders that exact a huge toll on the mental health of Australians. Funded by: National Health & Medical Research CouncilNational Health & Medical Research Council - Grant-Ideas ($1,263,268); University of Tasmania.