Mary Burke

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• Sequences of development in brain tissues and the ability to ‘self-repair’

The generation of new neurons in the adult brain has been a prevalent research topic for over 50 years. One element of this neurological research is investigating the birth and creation of new neurons in the brain after a stroke (caused by lack of oxygen reaching the tissue).

This project aims to identify the origin and activity of new neurons that appear in the brain at a site of stroke. My research project involved labelling the new neurons generated in the stroke-injured brain in order for them to be quantified and these were then compared to a non-injured control. These experiments gave insight into what happens in the brain after suffering a stroke and also into the brain’s regenerative potential.

Following successful labelling results showed significantly different neuron cell numbers between the injured and non-injured brain, supporting the hypothesis that the brain is capable of generating new neurons in response to stroke injury.

Funding source: Newcastle University (Reearch underaken at Monash University, Australia)

Supervisor: Prof James Bourne