Dr Joanne Britto - Formation of cortical layers

The Ritchie Centre was delighted to have Dr Joanne Britto recently present in our seminar series. Dr Britto heads a research team in the Brain Development and Regeneration Division at the Florey Neuroscience Institute in Melbourne. Her research focuses on identifying genes involved in neuronal generation and assembly in the cerebral cortex, particularly monitoring neuronal migration.

Dr Britto presented a fascinating talk about the lamination (formation of cortical layers) of interneurons during development and how this understanding this process better, may improve therapies to treat neurological disorders. Interneurons are neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) that form connections between other neurons. Interneurons are neither motor nor sensory. CNS interneurons are typically inhibitory, and use the neurotransmitter GABA or glycine. However, excitatory interneurons using glutamate also exist, as do interneurons releasing neuromodulators like acetylcholine. Abnormalities of interneuron function are thought to contribute to diseases such as Alzheimers and Schizophrenia.