Dr Rebecca Campbell

University Position

Lecturer

Department

Department of Physiology
Tel 64 3 479 7343
Fax 64 3 479 7323
Email

Interests

I am interested in defining how the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, well established as the ultimate downstream regulators of the central control of reproductive function, are regulated by the multitude of external and internal cues necessary for successful fertility. I am investigating the synaptic regulation of GnRH neurons, with particular emphasis on the innervation to their lengthy dendrites, through a variety of morphological imaging and transgenic mouse model approaches. In addition to understanding the regulation of normal fertility, I am also interested in addressing the central neuroendocrine abnormalities of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of infertility in women.

Current and Proposed Projects:

Mechanisms of pulse generation in the GnRH neuronal network
Investigating the spatial distribution of synaptic inputs to GnRH dendrites
Primary cilia in GnRH neuron development and the regulation of fertility
Exploring the neuroendocrine mechanisms of PCOS

Keywords

dendrites, GnRH neurons, synchronization, PCOS, primary cilia

Clinical conditions

infertility, PCOS, ciliopathies

Technical expertise

Light, confocal and electron microscopy, immunohistochemical techniques, stereotaxic surgery, tract tracing, cell culture

Laboratory Staff

Representative Publications

Campbell RE, Suter KJ. (2010). Redefining the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone neurone dendrite. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 22(7): 650-8. View abstract

Lee K, Porteous R, Campbell RE, Lüscher B, Herbison AE. (2010). Knockdown of GABAA Receptor Signaling in GnRH Neurons Has Minimal Effects upon Fertility. Endocrinology, 2010 Jun 23. [Epub ahead of print] View abstract

Campbell RE, Gaidamaka G, Han SK, Herbison AE. (2009). Dendro-dendritic bundling and shared synapses between gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A , 106: 10835 - 10840.View abstract

CB Roberts, RE Campbell, AE Herbison, KJ Suter. (2008). Dendritic action potential initiation in hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Endocrinology, 149(7): 3355-3360. View abstract

RE Campbell, AE Herbison. (2007). Definition of brainstem afferents to gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the mouse using conditional viral tract tracing. Endocrinology, 148(12): 5884-5890. View abstract

RE Campbell. (2007). Young Investigator Perspectives: Defining the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal network: Transgenic approaches to understanding neurocircuitry. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 19(7): 561-573. View abstract

TM Wintermantel* , RE Campbell*, R Porteous* , D Bock, H-J Gröne, MG Todman, KS Korach, E Greiner, CA Perez, G Schütz and A E Herbison. (2006). Definition of Estrogen Receptor Pathway Critical for Estrogen Positive Feedback to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons and Fertility. Neuron, 52: 271–280. ( * authors contributed equally ) View abstract

Cottrell, RE Campbell, SK Han. AE Herbison. (2006). Postnatal remodeling of dendritic structure and spine density in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. Endocrinology, 147: 3652-3661. [Featured paper with commentary by Terasawa E, Endocrinology, 147: 3650-3651][Further commentary by Plant TM, Trends Endo Metab, 18: 50-51.] View abstract

RE Campbell, SK Han, AE Herbison. (2005). Biocytin filling of adult gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in situ reveals extensive, spiny, dendritic processes. Endocrinology, 146: 1163-1169. View abstract