1. Cell Systems Physiology The team: Harry Coleman Rick Lang Helena Parkington Marianne Tare Mary Tonta Igor Wendt Department of Physiology Research focus: The focus of our research is to understand the processes involved in the important physiological functions of secretion, contraction and cellular communication. Disturbances of these functions underpin many diseases. Projects involve enhancing the understanding of the processes mediating (1) vascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and as a result of hypoxic insult in the developing fetus, (2) control of untimely smooth muscle contraction, namely, in pre-term labour, failure to progress in labour and inappropriate contractions of the bladder, ureter and prostate, (3) intra- and inter-cellular signalling involving neurons and astrocytes, and how failure of these processes gives rise to epilepsy, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Approaches: We record electrical activity, using the patch clamp technique in isolated cells, sharp intracellular microelectrodes in tissues, including brain slices, and extracellular recording of electrical activity in organs, including the brain, and in conscious animals, using extracellular electrodes. We also measure cellular calcium, since that ion is pivotally involved in secretion, contraction and cellular communication. We combine these core techniques with molecular biological approaches, including real-time PCR, protein measurement (Western blotting); and immunohistochemistry. Contact: IRW x52511 HCP x52505 HAC x52520 RJL x52517 MT x52557

2. Control of activity in the upper urinary tract Whole tissue activity Single cell currents

3. Uterine activity in pregnancy and labour Freshly isolated smooth muscle cells, uterine tissue strips and conscious mum with baby on board Human and sheep uterus, not in labour & in labour Elucidating function and testing potential tocolytics eg PCO400 10min PCO400 Conscious ewe Single uterine cellsUterine tissue

4. ACh Testing endothelial function in vitro … … and in vivo Role of oxidative stress Endothelial dysfunction in diabetes Control Diabetic Localization of ion channels

5. Hippocampal slice CA1 pyramidal cells Intracellular microelectrode Stimulating electrode Slice anchors WT nAChR  4 KO Long term potentiation: memory formation Model of epilepsy: network synchronization potentiation Spiny mouse hippocampal slice Understanding individual neural and network activity in brain 