Kumar Group: Cardiorespiratory Neuroscience

Our lab investigates cellular and physiological mechanisms used by autonomic systems; cardiovascular, respiratory and glucoregulatory. Physiological reflexes (e.g. baroreflex, chemoreflex, glucose counter regulation) function to maintain homeostasis in the healthy state.

They are integrated by neuronal circuits in the brain, and their long-term and short-term functionality is continually regulated by genetic and environmental factors.

Pathological regulation can form the basis for disease (respiratory disorders, hypertension, diabetes). How do homeostatic systems - which are vital for survival - adapt to changing environmental conditions? How do environmental challenges contribute to neuronal excitability, physiological processes and drug action?

We have expertise in cutting-edge tools and techniques (molecular methods, mouse genetics, multiplex fluorescence imaging, viral mediated gene expression) that are currently revolutionizing neuroscience. We which we use to interrogate alterations in autonomic systems following physiological/environmental stress to provide avenues for therapy based on molecular understanding of disease processes.

Current projects

Investigating chemoreceptor neuropathology in Parkinson's Disease
Neuropeptides that facilitate carbon dioxide-stimulated breathing via projections to the rodent respiratory pattern generator
Chemical codes and functional roles of chemoreceptor projections to the respiratory pattern generator
Investigation of neuroplasticity in respiratory related regions of the brain and spinal cord (phrenic motor nucleus) in response to chronic and / or intermittent hypercapnia
Identification of brain chemoreceptors in a piglet model of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Highlighted publications

Dereli AS; Oh AYS; McMullan S; Kumar NN, 2024, 'Galaninergic and hypercapnia-activated neuronal projections to the ventral respiratory column', Brain Structure and Function, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00429-024-02782-8
Kumar NN; Summerell E; Spehar B; Cranney J, 2021, 'Experiences of Honours Research Students and Supervisors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study Framed by Self-Determination Theory', Frontiers in Education, 6, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.758960
Menuet C; Connelly AA; Bassi JK; Melo MR; Le S; Kamar J; Kumar NN; McDougall SJ; McMullan S; Allen AM, 2020, 'Prebötzinger complex neurons drive respiratory modulation of blood pressure and heart rate', eLife, 9, pp. 1 - 30, http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.57288
Dereli AS; Yaseen Z; Carrive P; Kumar NN, 2019, 'Adaptation of Respiratory-Related Brain Regions to Long-Term Hypercapnia: Focus on Neuropeptides in the RTN', Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.01343
Kumar NN; Velic A; Soliz J; Shi Y; Li K; Wang S; Weaver JL; Sen J; Abbott SBG; Lazarenko RM; Ludwig MG; Perez-Reyes E; Mohebbi N; Bettoni C; Gassmann M; Suply T; Seuwen K; Guyenet PG; Wagner CA; Bayliss DA, 2015, 'Regulation of breathing by CO2 requires the proton-activated receptor GPR4 in retrotrapezoid nucleus neurons', Science, 348, pp. 1255 - 1260, http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aaa0922

Our experts

Natasha Kumar

Senior Lecturer

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Dr Natasha Kumar - Group Leader

Dr Natasha Kumar completed BMedSc (Hons1, 2002), and her PhD (2003-2007) at USYD Physiology. As an integrative neuroscientist, her postdoctoral research (2007-2011, Macquarie University; 2011-2016, University of Virginia, USA), investigated glucose sensing and CO₂ sensing brainstem neurons and signalling networks. She was appointed to a teaching and research position (Lecturer) at UNSW Sydney, School of Biomedical Sciences in 2016 and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2019. Currently, her lab investigates central chemoreception, and the potential for drugs that activate pH sensing neurons to help those afflicted by respiratory disorders, such as sleep apnea, COPD, apnea of prematurity.

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4712-8792

Team members

Yazhou (Susanne) Liu – PhD student
Alice (Yunsu) Oh – PhD student
Dana Kim – PhD student
Justin Wang – SBMS Honours student

Associated academics

Nicole Jones
John Power
Pascal Carrive
Jane Butler
Claire Shepherd

PhD students

2016 - 2020 - Ayse Dereli (The role of galanin in long term adaptation of respiratory chemoreception)

2018 -2022 - Latifa Bulbul (The role of neuropeptide co-release and co-signalling on the respiratory chemoreflex)

2020 - Yazhou (Susanne) Liu (Investigation of chemoreceptors in post-mortem brain tissue from patients with respiratory disorders)

2023 - Alice (Yunsu) Oh (Investigation of neuropeptide co-transmission in brainstem respiratory pattern generation, and respiratory chemoreception, in rodents)