Craig M Smith
Dr Craig Smith is a postdoctoral systems neuroscientist within the Neuropeptides Division, at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne. His research focuses on the neuropeptide relaxin-3 and its cognate G-protein coupled receptor, RXFP3. Relaxin-3 acts as a synaptic neurotransmitter within the brain, and has been implicated in modulating a broad range of neurological circuits and behaviours, including hypothalamic structures and pituitary functions relating to stress responses and reproduction. Using pharmacological, viral and anatomical approaches, Dr Smith examines the neurochemical and behavioural roles conferred by relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling in wild-type and transgenic mice. Findings from these studies have provided significant contributions to this field, and have identified relaxin-3 as a key component of a brainstem ascending arousal pathway that modulates circadian rhythm, motivation and stress responses.
Abstracts this author is presenting:
