Pain and Sensory Mechanisms

The laboratory is investigating the mechanisms of generation of visceral pain emanating from the gastrointestinal tract, of neuropathic pain initiated by peripheral nerve injury, and of migraines. This laboratory is a joint venture of the Centre for Neuroscience and the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at The University of Melbourne. We have strong interests in both biological mechanisms and the identification of therapeutic targets.

Our aims are to:

• understand the biological changes that underpin long term changes in sensory neurons and sensory pathways that lead to chronic pain of somatic and visceral origin
• identify key molecules that can be targeted as treatments for chronic pain
• develop further test systems in animals and animal tissues that can be used to evaluate lead compounds with therapeutic potential

We are focusing on pain from the intestine that occurs in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic neuropathic pain that occurs after nerve injury and trigeminal pain, notably migraine.

Group Leader
Professor John B Furness, BSc, MSc, PhD, FAA

More information:
Visceral pain and autonomic signaling laboratory
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology
http://www.anatomy.unimelb.edu.au/researchlabs/furness/