The peripheral nervous system and its connections within the spinal cord form a complex but accessible system of pathways that transmit signals from the environment into the central nervous system and from the central nervous system to the muscles, organs and tissues of the body. In addition, these nerve cells and their associated support cells (glia/Schwann cells) provide trophic support for the tissues they innervate. Disruption of these pathways by e.g. injury or diseases such as diabetes not only produces loss of sensation and abnormal control of peripheral tissues but also can be followed by serious disabilities like chronic neuropathic pain. We focus on understanding the interrelationships between the cells of these peripheral and spinal pathways, both normally and after experimental injury, using techniques to record and analyse the electrical signals travelling in these pathways and techniques to localize proteins and peptides in the cells using fluorescence and electron microscopes.
Elspeth McLachlan was one of the original 5 senior scientists who moved into the Institute in 1993. Since then she has been NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, at the Institute (1993-1999), Executive Head, NHMRC Centre for Research Management (1999-2001), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of New South Wales (UNSW, 2001-2004) and Research Professor, UNSW (2004-6). She served as Chair, International Brain Research Organization Asia-Pacific Regional Committee (1999-2001), President of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Neuroscience Societies (1998) and President, Australian Neuroscience Society (1996-1997). Previously she was Head of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Queensland (1988-1993), NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne (1982-1987) and Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Physiology at Monash University (1975-1982) and the University of Sydney (1970-73).
Inflammation beyond the sites of injury in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous systemWork on the long-term effects of inflammation in peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries in animal models is continuing in our laboratory. |
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