RESEARCH PROFILE

The overall theme of our group is how neurons communicate with each other to achieve the desired neural function. Our work splits into two major areas: Neurophysiology and Technology development.

Neurophysiological studies
Our interests presently concentrate around the investigation of chemical signalling in the brain. One common theme is purinergic signalling by ATP and adenosine and its roles in several different functional contexts such as: centrally mediated chemosensitive reflexes involved in the control of breathing and arousal; signalling by hypothalamic tanycytes in the context of the control of body weight and food intake; homeostatic control of sleep; endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms in the brain; and during early development. We use a combination of electrophysiological, imaging and biosensing methods to study these problems.

Technology development
We have an active program to provide novel analytical tools for neuroscience research. In particular we are developing microelectrode biosensors specific for a number of transmitters to enable better exploration of chemical signalling in the nervous system. We have concentrated on microelectrode biosensors for the purines and have formed the Warwick Biosensors Group to further this aim. We are also developing biosensors for other analytes (such as glutamate, lactate, D-serine, acetylcholine) and have developed a range of highly selective biosensors for clinical diagnostic purposes. This latter work is linked to a spin out company Sarissa Biomedical Ltd specifically devoted to the commercialization of our biosensors and the development of diagnostic tools.

BACKGROUND

BA, Zoology, 1981 Cambridge University

PhD, Neuroscience, 1984, Bristol University

CTO & Director Sarissa Biomedical Ltd

Scientific Advisory Board of the British Neuroscience Association

Associate Editor, Purinergic Signalling

Member of the Society for Neuroscience

Member of the British Neuroscience Association

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• The contribution of tanycyte signalling to the function of hypothalamic networks, Funded by: MRC, Project Start Date: 01/02/2012 Project End Date: 31/01/2015
• How the brain senses CO2, with - - Prof Georgy Koentges - Life Sciences -, Funded by: MRC, Project Start Date: 01/04/2011 Project End Date: 31/03/2014
• Adenosine release in the preoptic forebrain areas, Funded by: Wellcome Trust, Project Start Date: 01/01/2010 Project End Date: 31/12/2012
• Quantitative sensors for phytohormone signalling systems, with Prof Richard M Napier, Life Sciences, Dr Jose F Gutierrez-Marcos - Warwick HRI Professor Nicholas E Dale - Biological Sciences Dr Faming Tian - Biological Sciences, Funded by: BBSRC, Project Start Date: 01/06/2011 Project End Date: 31/05/2012
  
  

  View all Research Projects

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Huckstepp, R. T. R. and Dale, N.(2011) 'CO2-dependent opening of an inwardly rectifying K+ channel' Pflugers Archiv (online) 461 (3), 337 - 344 (1432-2013) [article]
• Huckstepp, R. T. R., Eason, R., Sachdev, A. and Dale, N.(2010) 'CO2-dependent opening of connexin 26 and related β connexins' Journal Of Physiology 588 (20), 3921 - 3931 (0022-3751) [article]
• Huckstepp, R. T. R., id Bihi, R., Eason, R., Spyer, K. M., Dicke, N., Willecke, K., Marina, N., Gourine, A. V. and Dale, N.(2010) 'Connexin hemichannel-mediated CO2-dependent release of ATP in the medulla oblongata contributes to central respiratory chemosensitivity' Journal Of Physiology 588 (20), 3901 - 3920 (0022-3751) [article]
• Masse, K., Bhamra, S., Eason, R., Dale, N. & Jones, E.(2007) 'Purine-mediated signalling triggers eye development' Nature 449 1058 - 1062 (0028-0836)
• Gourine, A.V., Llaudet, E., Dale, N. & Spyer, K.M.(2005) 'ATP is mediator of chemosensory transduction in the central nervous system' Nature 436 108 - 111 (0028-0836)

View all Publications