Unveiling the Journey from Action Potential to Behaviour: Exploring Dopamine and Acetylcholine in Health and Disease

Project Code

MRCNMH26Ex Zhang

Project Type

Wet lab

Research Theme

Neuroscience and Mental Health

Project Summary Download

Summary

How does the brain’s dopamine system drive learning, memory, and motivation? And what goes wrong in diseases like Parkinson’s? This project will explore how dopamine and acetylcholine signals interact to control learning and behaviour, using cutting-edge techniques such as fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, next-generation neurotransmitter imaging, electrophysiology, and computational modelling. You will work at the interface of neuroscience, physiology, and data science to help uncover fundamental brain mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets. The project offers excellent training and the chance to contribute to research with real translational impact.

Lead Supervisor

Dr Yanfeng Zhang

Lead Supervisor Email

y.f.zhang@exeter.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Exeter