The marmoset monkey as a model for studying brain development and function: a cell-to-system approach
Description
Research Interests: Development and maturation of the cerebral cortex
The primary focus of the group is the development and maturation of the cerebral cortex of primates and other mammals. The adult cerebral cortex is formed as a mosaic of interconnected areas, but how the multiple of areas emerge seamlessly during ontogenesis and establish connections with other brain areas has yet to be determined. In order to address these issues, the laboratory has been focussing on the development of the visual cortex, which includes areas that are responsible for visual perception and visual guidance of behaviour. Understanding the early development of this important region will elucidate mechanisms that are relevant not only for understanding normal brain function, but also for clarifying the functional bases of disturbances of visual perception that emerge as a consequence of perinatal lesions (eg those associated with premature delivery, complications during labour, childhood accidents), abnormal visual experience in childhood, and neurological diseases.
Speaker Bio
James completed his undergraduate training in Biochemistry (Hons) at the Imperial College, London and carried on to undertake a PhD in the field of Neuropharmacology with the Ministry of Defence and Kings College, London. He then relocated to Australia to undertake a Postdoctoral position at the Vision, Touch and Hearing Research Centre at UQ, later moving to Monash University where in 2007 he started up his own research group. James holds an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship, is a member of the NHMRC Research Committee and has a strong track record in the field of neural development and regeneration of the visual system. He heads the Bourne group, with his skills and expertise in nonhuman primate research enabling the group to undertake cross-disciplinary research collaborations which form an important component of translational research to humans.