Research

Overview
We have extensive experience in neuroanatomical studies in the rodent and human brains using double-and triple labelling immunoytochemistry at the light and electron microscopic levels.  In addition we have access to human brain samples which can be used for comparative neuroanatomical studies addressing brain circuits involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis.  We have recently reported that the hypophysiotropic TRH-synthesizing neurones are innervated by NPY, AGRP, and a-MSH (a melanocyte-stimulating hormone) systems in the human hypothalamus.
In this project we will supervise the morphological, molecular biological and functional studies on hypothalamic circuits responsible for central regulation of metabolism.  An important part of this contribution is the translation from rodent models to human brain post-mortem tissue.  Work will include confocal microscopy and electron microscopy.