Joseph Middleton

• BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
• Examination of KV3 channel modulators on the development and expression of sensitisation to locomotor stimulant effects of cocaine in rats

Investigations into the spatiotemporal features of nicotinic receptor subtypes in human foetal brain samples varying from 8 weeks to 12 weeks post-conception. Carried out using immunohistochemistry, antibodies specific to alpha 4 and alpha 7 receptors bind to the receptor proteins which are fixed on glass slides. Then further antibodies are used to stain areas of the slide in the presence of the receptor in different brain areas, this was then visualised using microscopy. Different concentrations of the antibody led to different levels of staining.

The basis for the research was founded on the understanding that smoking during pregnancy can lead to increased proliferation of some nicotinic receptors in the developing foetal brain which could suggest some of the physiological implications.

Quantification was used to complement the visual data which measured quantities of RNA of the various receptor subtypes in foetal brain samples.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Dr Gavin Clowry