ProfessorIain McGregor

Project Opportunities

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Project Opportunities

Title: Mechanisms underlying the repellent effects of predator odours in rodents

Summary of opportunity:

Rodents show an innate fear towards the fur and skin odours of cats. This effect is remarkably shown in laboratory rats and mice that have never experienced an actual predator. This project seeks to describe the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and determine the potential of cat fur odours as rodent repellents in the field (Apfelbach et al., 2005. Effects of predator odors on foraging, feeding and reproduction in mammalian prey species. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews). The isolation, identification and synthesis of the molecules in cat fur that cuase rodent repellent effects is a major aim of the project, and then to determine their action on rodent pheromone-sensing receptors and processing of pheromones and kairomones in the rodent olfactory system. 

Opportunity synopsis:

Possible aims for this project inlcude: 1. Assessing the efficacy of cat fur in repelling rodents in the field 2. Identifying novel compounds present in cat fur and skin that may have repellent properties and screening these in the lab 3. Testing the capacity of these compounds to activate predator-related receptors in vitro

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Project Opportunities

Title: Research in Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Therapeutics

Summary of opportunity:

Research in Medicinal Cannabis, Endocannabinoids, and Cannabinoid Therapeutics

Opportunity synopsis:

The Lambert Initiative http://sydney.edu.au/science/lambert/) is a research program at the University of Sydney dedicated to exploring the medicinal potential of cannabis and the cannabinoids.   A wide range of chemistry, cellular and preclinical PhD projects are available for consideration that involve the development and early stage evaluation of cannabis-based treatments for conditions such as of epilepsy, pain, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and cancer. Projects will involve supervision by the Academic Director (Professor McGregor) and/or Associate Directors of the Lambert Initiative or their specialist collaborators. This is an exciting opportunity for ambitious and enthusiastic graduate students to contribute to a fast-paced program of research at the frontiers of medical science. 

----------Current Research Projects----------

 1. Cannabis-derived molecules for the treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia and for prolonging lifespan.

2. Psychedelic drugs in the treatment of eating disorders and mood disturbance.

3. Driving impairment and roadside/workplace drug testing.

4. Using virutal reality technologies to test drug effects in humans.

5. Pheromones for repellling pest species.

6. Natural psychoactive products from native plants.

7. Oxytocin and social behaviour