Professor Brian Key

Position

Professor of Developmental Neurobiology
Director, Brain Growth and Regeneration Lab

Qualifications and Awards

PhD. (University of Queensland)

Associations

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Molecular Histology (July 2010-present)
Plos One Editorial Board (July 2012 – 2015)
Reviews Editor, Frontiers in Neurogenesis (April 2012-present)
International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience Editorial Board (1999-present)

Contact Details

Location Room 615, Otto Hirschfeld Building (No 81), St Lucia campus
Mail School of Biomedical Sciences,
The University of Queensland,
BNE, QUEENSLAND 4072
Telephone +61 3365 2955
Facsimile +61 3365 1766
Email brian.key@uq.edu.au

Biography

Brian Key is Director of the Brain Growth and Regeneration Lab at the University of Queensland. This Lab is dedicated to understanding the principles of stem cell biology, differentiation, axon guidance, plasticity, regeneration and development of the brain.
 
In addition, Brian Key oversees the teaching of Developmental Biology in the Science curriculum at the University of Queensland. Brian teaches developmental biology at all levels of the undergraduate experience. In first year he instructs the students of BIOL1040 (Cells to organisms) in the marvels of stem cell biology. During second year the students in BIOM2208 (Differentiation and Development) are introduced to how embryos build intricate tissues and organs. In third year, Brian leads the students through the mechanisms of axon growth and regeneration in DEVB3001 (Developmental Neurobiology) and neural circuit formation in NEUR3001 (Functional Neuroanatomy), BIOM3014 (Molecular and Cellular Physiology) and BIOM3200 (Capstone in Biomedical Science).

Research Interests

How does the vertebrate brain, the most complex tissue in the universe, develop from a simple sheet of cells into an organ, which has the ability to ask itself this question? We have set ourselves the task of understanding the secrets underlying the development of the brain. For instance, we are deciphering the role that Autism genes play in the development of neural circuits in the embryonic brain.  Our ability to manipulate and control these molecular and cellular processes will contribute to therapeutic approaches in health and disease of the brain.
 
We are interested in investigating the cellular and molecular bases of axon growth and guidance in the vertebrate nervous system. Particular attention is devoted to the role of cell surface receptors and their ligands in axon-substrate and axon-axon interactions during growth cone navigation. Reverse molecular genetic approaches are used in combination with modern cell and gene imaging methods to understand multi-gene interactions in vivo and in real-time. Zebrafish and Xenopus animal models are used to examine the formation of the earliest axon pathways in the embryonic brain while the mouse olfactory system is investigated to query the more complex process of axon targeting.

Selected Publications

Devine, C.A. and KEY, B. (2008) Rob-slit interactions regulate longitudinal axon pathfinding in the embryonic vertebrate brain. Dev.Biol. 313:371-383.
Kee, N., Wilson, N., De Vries, M., Bradford, D., Gardiner, M., KEY, B. and Cooper, H. (2008) Neogening and RGMa controld neural tube closure and neuroepithelial morphology by regularitng cell polarity. J Neurosci., 25: 12643-12653.
Windus, L., Lineburg, K.E., Scott, S.E., Claxton, C., Mackay-Sim, A., KEY, B. and St John, J.A. (2010) Lamellipodia mediate the heterogeneity of central olfactory ensheathing cell interactions. Cell Mol Life Sci, 67:1735-1750.
Lah, G. and KEY, B. (2012) Novel roles of the chemorepellent axon guidance molecule RGMa in cell migration and adhesion. Mol. Cell. Biol. 32:968-980. (IF = 6.2)
Lah, G. and KEY, B. (2012) Dual roles ofthe chemorepellent axon guidance molecule RGMa in establishing pioneering axon tracts and neural fate decisions in embryonic vertebrate forebrain.  Dev. Neurobiol. DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22010 (IF = 2.9)
KEY, B. and Lah, G.J. (2012) Repulsive guidance molecule A (RGMa): A molecule for all seasons. Cell Adh. Migr. 6(2) 85-90 (IF = 2).
Gaudin, A.C., Hofmeister, W. and KEY, B. (2012) Chemoattractant axon guidance cues regulate de novo axon trajectories in the embryonic forebrain of zebrafish. Dev. Biol. 367:126-139 (IF = 4.09)
Hofmeister, W., Devine, C.A., Rothnagel, J.A. and KEY, B. (2012) Frizzled-3a and slit2 genetically interact to modulate midline axon crossing in the telencephalon. Mech. Dev. 129:109-124 (IF = 2.9)
Kee, N., Wilson, N., KEY, B. and Cooper, H.M. (2012) Netrin-1 is required for efficient neural tube closure. Dev. Neurobiol. accepted 8/8/12, manuscript # 00020-2012.R1. (IF = 3.6)
Beverdam, A., Claxton, C., Zhang, X., James, G., Harvey, K.F. and KEY, B. (2012) YAP controls stem/progenitor cell proliferation in the mouse postnatal epidermis. J Invest. Dermat. in press (IF=6.2).
 

Grants

ARC (2009-2011) Assessing gene function in the developing vertebrate brain using zebrafish as a model system
 
NHMRC (2010-2012)Molecular and cellular mechanisms of vertebrate brain development
 
NHMRC (2011-20113) Neurodevelopmental role of susceptibility genes for Autism spectrum disorders: from genes to behaviour
 
NHMRC (2012-2014) The role of potassium channels in photoreceptor function
 
NHMRC (2010-2012) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of axon guidance in the vertebrate nervous system
 

PhD Projects Available

1. Understanding genetic basis of behaviour using zebrafish
2. Molecular and genetic analysis of brain development using zebrafish and Xenopus
3. Investigations into the embryological and genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders
4. Axon growth and guidance in the mouse olfactory system
5. Understanding skin development and regeneration using transgenesis in mice

Lab Info

For more information about the Key Lab Group- Please click here

 

 

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