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Cellular Research Laboratory

Head of laboratory

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Overview of research program

The main focus of our research group is on how the body’s own cannabis signalling system (endocannabinoid system) works and how this might be used for the treatment of pain. This endocannabinoid system is more commonly known for being the target of the plant Cannabis sativa. Our group is examining the cellular mechanisms underlying the processing and modulation of pain and thermal sensation in the central nervous system. We are particularly interested in the involvement of the endogenous cannabinoid system in these processes and how it might be manipulated for the relief of chronic pain.

Our group has identified the mechanism by which the body’s own cannabinoid system regulates pain modulation circuits within the midbrain. We have also demonstrated that a novel class of endogenous transmitters related to cannabinoids are effective in reducing the abnormal sensation associated with models of chronic pain.

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Major funding sources

  • NHMRC Project Grant 512159 (2008 – 2010). Effects of muscle inflammation on sensory neuron excitability. Investigators: M Connor, CW Vaughan.
  • NHMRC Project Grant 457563 (2007 – 2009). Mechanisms of endogenous cannabinoid mediated analgesia within the midbrain. Investigator: CW Vaughan.
  • NHMRC Project Grant 402564 (2006 – 2008). Molecular mechanisms of action of the novel analgesic, arachidonoyl-glycine. Investigators: RJ Vandenberg, M Connor, CW Vaughan.
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Selected publications

Lau BK, Vaughan CW (2008). Muscarinic modulation of synaptic transmission via endocannabinoid signalling in the rat midbrain periaqueductal grey. Molecular Pharmacology 74:1392-1398. PubMed ID: 18678620.

Drew GM, Mitchell VA, Vaughan CW (2008) Glutamate Spillover Modulates GABAergic synaptic transmission in the rat midbrain periaqueductal grey via metabotropic glutamate receptors and endocannabinoid signaling. Journal of Neuroscience 28:808-815. PubMed ID: 18216189.

Succar R, Mitchell VA, Vaughan CW (2007) Actions of N-arachidonyl-glycine in a rat inflammatory pain model. Molecular Pain 3:24-24. PubMed ID: 18678620.

Jayamanne A, Greenwood R, Mitchell VA, Aslan S, Piomelli D, Vaughan CW (2006) Actions of the FAAH inhibitor URB597 in neuropathic and inflammatory chronic pain models. British Journal of Pharmacology 147:281-288. PubMed ID: 16331291.

Marinelli S, Connor M, Schnell SA, Christie MJ, Wessendorf MW, Vaughan CW (2005) ∂-Opioid receptor-mediated actions on rostral ventromedial medulla neurons. Neuroscience 132:239-244. PubMed ID: 15802178.

Vaughan CW, Bagley EE, Drew GM, Schuller A, Pintar JE, Hack SP, Christie MJ (2003) Cellular actions of opioids on periaqueductal grey neurons from C56B16/J mice and mutant mice lacking MOR-1. British Journal of Pharmacology 139:362-367. PubMed ID: 12770941.

Vaughan CW, Connor M, Bagley EE, Christie MJ (2000) Actions of cannabinoids on membrane properties and synaptic transmission in rat periaqueductal grey neurons in vitro. Molecular Pharmacology 57:288-295. PubMed ID: 10648638.

Vaughan CW (1998) Enhancement of opioid inhibition of GABAergic synaptic transmission by cyclooxygenase inhibitors in rat periaqueductal grey neurones. British Journal of Pharmacology 123:1479-1481. PubMed ID: 9605550.

Vaughan CW, Ingram SL, Connor MA, Christie MJ (1997) How opioids inhibit GABAergic neurotransmission. Nature 390:611-614. PubMed ID: 9403690.

Vaughan CW, Ingram SL, Christie MJ (1997) Actions of the ORL1 receptor ligand, nociceptin, on membrane properties of rat periaqueductal gray neurons in vitro. Journal of Neuroscience 17:996-1003. PubMed ID: 8994054.

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Research project opportunities

Supervised by Dr Christopher Vaughan

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