Pocock Laboratory
Brain Development, Neuroplasticity and Stem Cells
Welcome to the Pocock Lab
Our lab studies brain development, neuroplasticity and stem cells in the Caenorhabditis elegans model.
We're part of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and a member of the Development & Stem Cells; Neuroscience and Metabolism, Diabetes & Obesity Programs
and a member of the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology.
Professor Roger Pocock
My global research connections, partners and funding can be viewed on my Monash Research Profile.
If you are a student interested in doing research in our lab, visit Supervisor Connect.
Click the links below to connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, ORCID and Google Scholar.
Our research
The Pocock laboratory uses the Caenorhabditis elegans worm model to elucidate mechanisms controlling brain development and function at single-neuron resolution. The unparalleled knowledge of the C. elegans nervous system enables us to decipher conserved molecular pathways that are important in understanding brain disease in humans. We employ a multidisciplinary approach including the use of molecular genetics, animal behaviour, biochemistry, next generation sequencing and microscopy.
The C. elegans nervous system is an excellent model (just 302 neurons) to dissect of gene regulatory pathways that control brain development and function.
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How is the brain constructed?
We use genetics to dissect how neuronal fates are programmed, how neurons migrate during development and how axonal and dendritic processes are guided.
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How does the brain coordinate behaviour?
We are elucidating new ways in which the brain controls sensory functions in addition to the regulation of metabolism.
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Stem cell development
The C. elegans germline contains a niche of self-renewing stem cells. Extracellular tension at the stem cell niche is a known factor in stem cell fate decisions. We ask how extracellular tension is molecularly transmitted to control stem cell development.
Lab members
We are committed to excellence in research.
Join Our Lab
We're always interested in collaborating with bright and motivated researchers, clinicians and industry. Whether you want to research, study or partner with us to accelerate our discoveries, find out about the work we do.