Empson Lab, Department of Physiology, Department of Physiology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Lab personnel
Previous lab personnel
Research interests
Expertise
Projects
Current funding
Previous funding
Collaborators
Teaching
Lab photos
Selected publications

Lab personnel

Emma Deeney PhD Student
Professor Ruth Empson Professor, Deputy HoD (Research)
Manju Ganesh PhD Student
Mohamed Ibrahim PhD Student
Javier Jiminez Martin PhD Student
Daniil Potapov Assistant Research Fellow
Kyoko Potapov Assistant Research Fellow
Dr Emmet Power Postdoctoral Fellow
Zhean Tonacao BSc Honours student

Previous lab personnel

Dr Chris Roome (now with Dr Bernd Kuhn, Okinawa Institute of Technology, Japan)
Dr Raghu Nagaraja (now with Associate Professor John Reynolds, Dept of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago)
Miss Helena Huang (now a PhD candidate with Associate Professor John Bekkers, ANU, Australia)
Mr Daniil Potapov (now with Dr István Ábrahám, Department of Physiology)
Dr Tom Jensen (now with Professor Dimitri Rusakov, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK)

Research interests

The research in this laboratory uses a combination of electrophysiology, live imaging and molecular approaches to better understand the consequences of modifications to neuronal circuits. Our special interest lies with those circuits, or networks that contribute to our ability to make controlled movements; those within the cerebellum and the motor cortex. This research has relevance for addressing the highly debilitating and poorly treated movement disorders such as ataxia, motor neurone disease and spinal injury. We are also becoming increasingly interested in the contribution from the cerebellum to cognitive processes and its disruption in the poorly treated disorder autism.

Keywords

Cerebellum, Motor cortex, Electrophysiology, Ca2+ signalling, Ataxia, PMCA2, NCX

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Expertise

Patch Clamp Electrophysiology
Calcium imaging
Post-hoc neuron reconstructions
Immunohistochemistry
Western blot
PCR-based genotyping; single cell PCR
MATLAB

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Projects

Cellular and Network Identity in the Motor Cortex; projection neuron identity and networks
Cellular and Network Identity in the Motor Cortex; corticospinal motor neuron function
Cerebellar Circuitry - understanding modifications in the ataxic PMCA2 knockout mouse
Cerebellar Circuitry - cooperative calcium clearance mechanisms for parallel fibre function
Cerebellar Circuitry - nicotinic receptor mediated actions at cerebellar synapses

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Current funding

2010–2014 Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Foundation: The transcription factor code: maintaining neuronal identity and function in the adult brain
2013–2014 University of Otago Research Grant: Towards the Development of an On-Demand Device to Control Epilepsy, with Associate Professors John Reynolds (Anatomy) and Mike Paulin (Zoology)

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Previous funding

2008–2011 New Zealand Neurological Foundation: Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Signalling in Cerebellar Ataxia
2007–2008 University of Otago School of Medical Sciences, Dean's Bequest Funding: Movers and Shakers!
2009–2010 Otago Medical Research Foundation: Cutting out the middle-man; Partner interactions for healthy synapses, with Dr P. Turner
2008–2009 HRC-JSPS Fellowhip to suport collaboration between our lab and Dr Thomas Knöpfel, Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan
2004–2009 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK: PMCA2 (plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase) - its role in synapse structure and function. Continued collaboration with Prof Philip Beesley and Prof Brian Austen, Royal Holloway University of London.
2008–2009 University of Otago Research Grant: Cooperation of Ca²⁺ Recovery Mechanisms for Synapse Function
2004–2007 Epilepsy Research Foundation UK: Influence of PMCA dependent Ca²⁺ signalling during epileptogenesis

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Collaborators

Associate Professor Stephanie Hughes, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, New Zealand
Dr Natalie Medlicott, New Zealand's National School of Pharmacy University of Otago, New Zealand
Dr Thomas Knöpfel, Laboratory of Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, RIKEN BSI, Tokyo, Japan
Prof Emanuel Strehler & Dr Aida Filoteo, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Prof Brian Austen, Biochemistry, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
Prof Philip Beesley, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway College University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK

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Teaching

PHSL 341 - Cellular Communication; Calcium and synaptic signalling
HUBS 191 - Membrane Bioelectricity
PHSL 231 - Electrical Signalling; Membrane excitability, action potentials and synapses
PHSL 474 - Research Topics
PHSL 472 - Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Convenor HUBS 191 Health Sciences First Year

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Lab photos

Click to enlarge:

Saggital section through the cerebellar cortex.

Cerebellar Purkinje neuron filled with a calcium sensitive dye.

Lab visit to the only Olympic-sized curling rink in the southern hemisphere, September 2011.

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Selected publications

Deeney, E. A., & Empson, R. M. (2019). Folia-specific vulnerability of the cerebellar climbing fibre synapse in a mouse model of human spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1499), (pp. 88-89). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Roome, C. J., & Empson, R. M. (2018). Survival strategies for mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons lacking PMCA2. Neuroscience Letters, 663, 25-28. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.09.045

Denny, P., McDonald, F., Empson, R., Kelly, P., & Petersen, A. (2018). Empirical support for a causal relationship between gamification and learning outcomes. Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 311. New York, NY: ACM. doi: 10.1145/3173574.3173885

Power, E. M., Potapov, D., Potapov, K., Knopfel, T., & Empson, R. M. (2018). Population plasticity at the cerebellar Parallel fibre to Purkinje neuron synapse. In K. Hillman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 36th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 49). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Deeney, E., & Empson, R. (2018). Short duration voluntary exercise does not alter cerebellar morphology or motor performance in a mouse model of human spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 48th Annual Meeting. 490.16/MM10. SfN. Retrieved from https://www.sfn.org

Clare, A. J., Wicky, H. E., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2017). RNA-sequencing analysis reveals a regulatory role for transcription factor Fezf2 in the mature motor cortex. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 10, 283. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00283

Ibrahim, M. F., Power, E. M., Potapov, K., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Motor and cerebellar architectural abnormalities during the early progression of ataxia in a mouse model of SCA1 and how early prevention leads to a better outcome later in life. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 11, 292. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00292

Deeney, E. A., Power, E. M., Heyward, P. M., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Does voluntary exercise improve motor performance and/or cerebellar architecture in SCA1 moderately ataxic mice. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 50). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Jimenez-Martin, J., Potapov, D., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Establishing reliable methods to assess motor skill learning and motor performance in mice. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 50). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Ganesh, M., Clare, A., Dragunow, M., Hughes, S., Clarkson, A., & Empson, R. (2017). Pericyte therapeutics to repair the stroke-lesioned brain. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 51). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Power, E. M., Potapov, D., Knopfel, T., Clarkson, A., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Mesoscopic voltage imaging of neuronal activity in mice using genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVI). In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 32). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Ibrahim, M. F., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Enhanced KCC2 expression in the cerebellar molecular layer in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 29). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Clare, A. J., Day, R. C., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2017). Transcriptome profiling of layer 5 intratelencephalic-projection neurons in the mature mouse motor cortex. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 37). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Ganesh, M., Clare, A., Dragunow, M., Hughes, S., Clarkson, A., & Empson, R. (2017). Pericyte therapeutics to repair the stroke-lesioned brain. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 28). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/graduate-research/scholarships/otago643219.html

Clare, A. J., Wicky, H. E., Dearden, P. K., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2017). Developmentally important transcription factor Fezf2 has a molecular and functional role in the mature brain. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Genetics Society of Australasia (GSA) with the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB). 693. Retrieved from http://gen2017.w.events4you.currinda.com

Ibrahim, M. F., Power, E. M., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Repression of mutant ataxin-1 gene during early postnatal development minimises the progression of mouse Spino-cerebellar ataxia type 1. New Zealand Medical Journal, 130(1460), (pp. 96). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Power, E. M., English, N. A., & Empson, R. M. (2016). Are Type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of cerebellar ataxia? Journal of Physiology, 594(16), 4643-4652. doi: 10.1113/jp271153

Power, E. M., Morales, A., & Empson, R. M. (2016). Prolonged type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor dependent synaptic signaling contributes to spino-cerebellar ataxia type 1. Journal of Neuroscience, 36(18), 4910-4916. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.3953-15.2016

Antic, S. D., Empson, R. M., & Knöpfel, T. (2016). Voltage imaging to understand connections and functions of neuronal circuits. Journal of Neurophysiology, 116, 135-152. doi: 10.1152/jn.00226.2016

Tantirigama, M. L. S., Oswald, M. J., Clare, A. J., Wicky, H. E., Day, R. C., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2016). Fezf2 expression in layer 5 projection neurons of mature mouse motor cortex. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 524(4), 829-845. doi: 10.1002/cne.23875

Song, C., Power, E., Potapov, K., Piscopo, D. M., Niell, C., Empson, R. M., & Knopfel, T. (2016). Genetically encoded voltage indicator imaging of GABAergic cell classes in the mouse brain. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 46th Annual Meeting. 580.02. SfN. Retrieved from https://www.sfn.org/

Power, E., Morales, A., & Empson, R. (2016). Altered metabotropic glutamate receptor activity in early spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1442), (pp. 98). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Power, E. M., Gowing, E. K., Knöpfel, T., Clarkson, A. N., & Empson, R. M. (2016). Regional changes in mouse motor cortex excitability after focal stroke. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 59). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Ibrahim, M. F., Power, E. M., & Empson, R. M. (2016). Doxycycline mediated gene repression of mutant ataxin-1 during early postnatal development minimises the progression of mouse spino-cerebellar ataxia type 1. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 34th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 33). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Clare, A. J., Day, R. C., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2016). Transcriptome profiling of Fezf2 expressing intratelencephalic projection neurons in the mature mouse motor cortex. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB): Signalling Pathways in Development, Disease and Aging. (pp. 78). Retrieved from http://www.iubmb2016.org

Other Research Output
Chapter in Book - Research
Journal - Research Article
Journal - Research Other
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Other Research Output

Empson, R. (2011, February). Adventures with light. University of Otago Department of Physiology Seminar, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].

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Chapter in Book - Research

Empson, R. M., Tantirigama, M. L. S., Oswald, M. J., Hughes, S. M., & Knöpfel, T. (2015). Combined immunochemistry and live imaging of fluorescent protein expressing neurons in mouse brain. In A. Merighi & L. Lossi (Eds.), Immunocytochemistry and related techniques. (pp. 357-373). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2313-7_19

Roome, C. J., & Empson, R. M. (2010). Assessment of the contribution of the plasma membrane calcium ATPase, PMCA, calcium transporter to synapse function using patch clamp electrophysiology and fast calcium imaging. In Q. Yan (Ed.), Membrane transporters in drug discovery and development: Methods and Protocols [Vol. 637]. (pp. 343-360). New York: Springer Science+Business Media. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-700-6_19

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Journal - Research Article

Madisen, L., Garner, A. R., Shimaoka, D., Chuong, A. S., Klapoetke, N. C., Li, L., … Empson, R. M., … Zeng, H. (2015). Transgenic mice for intersectional targeting of neural sensors and effectors with high specificity and performance. Neuron, 85(5), 942-958. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.02.022

Schoderboeck, L., Riad, S., Bokor, A. M., Wicky, H. E., Strauss, M., Bostina, M., Oswald, M. J., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2015). Chimeric rabies SADB19-VSVg-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors mediate long-range retrograde transduction from the mouse spinal cord. Gene Therapy, 22, 357-364. doi: 10.1038/gt.2015.3

Empson, R. M., Goulton, C., Scholtz, D., Gallero-Salas, Y., Zeng, H., & Knöpfel, T. (2015). Validation of optical voltage reporting by the genetically encoded voltage indicator VSFP-Butterfly from cortical layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in mouse brain slices. Physiological Reports, 3(7), e12468. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12468

Tantirigama, M. L. S., Oswald, M. J., Duynstee, C., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2014). Expression of the developmental transcription factor Fezf2 identifies a distinct subpopulation of layer 5 intratelencephalic-projection neurons in mature mouse motor cortex. Journal of Neuroscience, 34(12), 4303-4308. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.3111-13.2014

Power, E. M., & Empson, R. M. (2014). Functional contributions of glutamate transporters at the parallel fibre to Purkinje neuron synapse: Relevance for the progression of cerebellar ataxia. Cerebellum & Ataxias, 1, 3. doi: 10.1186/2053-8871-1-3

Empson, R. M., Huang, H., Nagaraja, R. Y., Roome, C. J., & Knöpfel, T. (2013). Enhanced synaptic inhibition in the cerebellar cortex of the ataxic PMCA2^-/- knockout mouse. Cerebellum, 12, 667-675. doi: 10.1007/s12311-013-0472-0

Roome, C. J., Power, E. M., & Empson, R. M. (2013). Transient reversal of the sodium/calcium exchanger boosts presynaptic calcium and synaptic transmission at a cerebellar synapse. Journal of Neurophysiology, 109(6), 1669-1680. doi: 10.1152/jn.00854.2012

Roome, C. J., & Empson, R. M. (2013). The contribution of the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) and plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase (PMCA) to cerebellar synapse function. Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology, 961, 251-263. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4756-6_21

Roome, C. J., Knöpfel, T., & Empson, R. M. (2013). Functional contributions of the plasma membrane calcium ATPase and the sodium—calcium exchanger at mouse parallel fibre to Purkinje neuron synapses. Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology, 465(2), 319-331. doi: 10.1007/s00424-012-1172-1

Oswald, M. J., Tantirigama, M. L. S., Sonntag, I., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2013). Diversity of layer 5 projection neurons in the mouse motor cortex. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 7, 174. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00174

Russell, C. L., Semerdjieva, S., Empson, R. M., Austen, B. M., Beesley, P. W., & Alifragis, P. (2012). Amyloid-β acts as a regulator of neurotransmitter release disrupting the interaction between synaptophysin and VAMP2. PLoS ONE, 7(8), e43201. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043201

Empson, R. M., & Knöpfel, T. (2012). Functional integration of calcium regulatory mechanisms at Purkinje neuron synapses. Cerebellum, 11(3), 640-650. doi: 10.1007/s12311-010-0185-6

Empson, R. M., Akemann, W., & Knöpfel, T. (2010). The role of the calcium transporter protein plasma membrane calcium ATPase PMCA2 in cerebellar Purkinje neuron function. Functional Neurology, 25(3), 153-163.

Empson, R. M., Turner, P. R., Nagaraja, R. Y., Beesley, P. W., & Knöpfel, T. (2010). Reduced expression of the Ca²⁺ transporter protein PMCA2 slows Ca²⁺ dynamics in mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons and alters the precision of motor coordination. Journal of Physiology, 588(6), 907-922. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.182196

Huang, H., Nagaraja, R. Y., Garside, M. L., Akemann, W., Knöpfel, T., & Empson, R. M. (2010). Contribution of plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase to cerebellar synapse function. World Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1(5), 95-102. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v1.i5.95

Garside, M. L., Turner, P. R., Austen, B., Strehler, E. E., Beesley, P. W., & Empson, R. M. (2009). Molecular interactions of the plasma membrane calcium ATPase 2 at pre- and post-synaptic sites in rat cerebellum. Neuroscience, 162(2), 383-395. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.04.059

Jensen, T. P., Buckby, L. E., & Empson, R. M. (2009). Reduced expression of the "fast" calcium transporter PMCA2a during homeostatic plasticity. Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience, 41(3), 364-372. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2009.04.011

Empson, R. M., Garside, M. L., & Knöpfel, T. (2007). Plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase 2 contributes to short-term synapse plasticity at the parallel fiber to Purkinje neuron synapse. Journal of Neuroscience, 27(14), 3753-3758.

Jensen, T. P., Filoteo, A. G., Knopfel, T., & Empson, R. M. (2007). Presynaptic plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase isoform 2a regulates excitatory synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal CA3. Journal of Physiology, 579(1), 85-99. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.123901

Empson, R. M., Buckby, L. E., Kraus, M., Bates, K. J., Crompton, M. R., Gundelfinger, E. D., & Beesley, P. W. (2006). The cell adhesion molecule neuroplastin-65 inhibits hippocampal long-term potentiation via a mitogen-activated protein kinase p38-dependent reduction in surface expression of GluR1-containing glutamate receptors. Journal of Neurochemistry, 99(3), 850-860. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04123.x

Buckby, L. E., Jensen, T. P., Smith, P. J. E., & Empson, R. M. (2006). Network stability through homeostatic scaling of excitatory and inhibitory synapses following inactivity in CA3 of rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience, 31, 805-816. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2006.01.009

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Journal - Research Other

Roome, C. J., & Empson, R. M. (2018). Survival strategies for mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons lacking PMCA2. Neuroscience Letters, 663, 25-28. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.09.045

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Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

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Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Power, E. M., Ibrahim, M. F., & Empson, R. M. (2016). Impact of ataxin-1 expression during postnatal cerebellar Purkinje neuron development and the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 for progression of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 46th Annual Meeting. 43.12/M4. SfN. Retrieved from https://www.sfn.org/

Empson, R., Power, E., & Morales, A. (2015). Moderation of enhanced MGLUR1 mediated synaptic signalling restores motor learning in a mouse model of human spino-cerebellar ataxia. Journal of Neurochemistry, 134(Suppl. 1), (pp. 197). doi: 10.1111/jnc.13188

Power, E., Morales, A., & Empson, R. M. (2015). Moderation of enhanced metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) mediated synaptic signalling restores motor learning in a mouse model of human spino-cerebellar ataxia type 1, SCA1. Proceedings of The Physiological Society, 33, SA24. Retrieved from http://www.physoc.org/proceedings/abstract/Proc%20Physiol%20Soc%2033SA24

Clare, A. J., Day, R. C., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2015). Optimisation of fluorescent activated cell sorting and RNA extraction from dissociated mature mouse cortex tissue for transcriptome profiling. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 33rd International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 61). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

Empson, R. (2015). Facilitating dynamic live cell imaging in New Zealand. Proceedings of the 27th National Conference on Microscopy. Retrieved from http://microscopy2015.otago.ac.nz/index.html

Empson, R. M., Goulton, C., Scholtz, D., Sears, K., Zeng, H., & Knöpfel, T. (2014). Dynamic voltage imaging using a genetically encoded voltage indicator (Vsfp-Butterfly) in mouse brain. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 32, (pp. 83). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://web.psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/proceedings.html

Empson, R. M., Goulton, C., Sears, K., Zeng, H., & Knöpfel, T. (2014). Electrical population behaviour of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons revealed by a genetically encoded voltage indicator (VSFP-butterfly) in mouse motor cortex. Proceedings of the Australasian Neuroscience Society 34th Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.ans.org.au/

Power, E. M., Desai, H. N., & Empson, R. M. (2014). Prolonged metabotropic glutamate receptor activity in the early stages of a mouse model of human spino-cerebellar ataxia type 1, SCA1. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 32, (pp. 29). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://web.psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/proceedings.html

Power, E. M., & Empson, R. M. (2014). Functional loss of the Purkinje neuron enriched excitatory amino acid transporter, EAAT4, during the early stages of a mouse model of spino-cerebellar atasia, SCA1. Proceedings of the Australasian Neuroscience Society 34th Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.ans.org.au/

Tantirigama, M. L. S., Oswald, M. J., Duynstee, C., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2014). Expression of the developmental transcription factor FEZF2 identifies a distinct subpopulation of layer 5 callosal projection neurons in mature mouse motor cortex. Proceedings of the Australasian Neuroscience Society 34th Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.ans.org.au/

Tantirigama, M. L. S., Oswald, M. J., McTavish, E., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2012). Diversity of layer 5 projection neurons in mouse motor cortex. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 30th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 30, (pp. 32). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2012.html

Power, E. M., & Empson, R. M. (2012). Modification of glutamate uptake influences the properties of the cerebellar parallel fibre to purkinje neuron synapse. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 30th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 30, (pp. 41). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2012.html

Oswald, M. J., Tantirigama, M. L. S., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2012). Functional characterisation of layer 5 projection neurons in the mouse motor cortex. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 91). Retrieved from http://www.ans.org.au/ans-annual-conference/

Empson, R. M., & Roome, C. J. (2012). The sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) and plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA2) together influence pre-synaptic residual calcium dynamics at the cerebellar parallel fibre to Purkinje neuron synapse. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 57). Retrieved from http://www.ans.org.au/ans-annual-conference/

Peacock, H. E., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2012). A role for FEZF2 in projection maintenance and cell survival. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 30th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 30, (pp. 43). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2012.html

Kim, Y., & Empson, R. M. (2012). Alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7NACHR) contribute to cerebellar excitatory synaptic transmission. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 57). Retrieved from http://www.ans.org.au/ans-annual-conference/

Austen, B., Duberley, K., Shahabi, L., Turner, P., & Empson, R. (2011). Cyclic PDZ-binding peptides as neuroprotective agents against excitotoxic brain damage. Alzheimer's and Dementia. 7(4, Suppl. 1), (pp. S648-S649). doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.1859

Kim, Y., & Empson, R. M. (2011). Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit expression in mouse cerebellum. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 29th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 29, 5.50. AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/abstracts/abstracts2011.html

Peacock, H. E., Black, M. A., Empson, R. M., & Hughes, S. M. (2011). FEZF2 regulates projection maintenance in postnatal neurons in vitro. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 29th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 29, 1.2. AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/abstracts/abstracts2011.html

Kim, Y., & Empson, R. (2011). Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors contribute to cerebellar excitatory synaptic transmission. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1346). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1346/4980/content.pdf

Oswald, M. J., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2011). Sublayer-specific colocalisation of corticospinal neurons with the lamina 5 pyramidal neuron marker Fezf2. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 29th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 29, 5.47. AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/abstracts/abstracts2011.html

Tantirigama, M. L. S., Oswald, M. J., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2011). Projection neuron identity in the mouse motor cortex. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 29th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 29, 5.48. AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/abstracts/abstracts2011.html

Tantirigama, M. L. S., Hughes, S. M., & Empson, R. M. (2010). GFP expression in Fezf2-GFP adult mouse brain. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 28th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 28, (pp. 38). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2010.htm

Nagaraja, R. Y., Reynolds, J. N. J., Medlicott, N. J., & Empson, R. M. (2010). Sustained drug release to the cerebellum using ELVAX polymer implants. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 28th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 28, (pp. 44). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2010.htm

Austen, B. M., Duberley, K., Turner, P., & Empson, R. (2010). Cyclic hexa-arg PDZ-binding peptides that bind PSD95 inhibit glutamate-mediated toxicity. Alzheimer's and Dementia. 6(4, Suppl. 1), (pp. S562). doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.1918

Kim, Y., Huang, H., & Empson, R. M. (2010). Synapse distribution in the cerebellar cortex of a mouse model of ataxia. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 28th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 28, (pp. 30). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2010.htm

Turner, P. R., Garside, M., Austen, B., & Empson, R. M. (2009). Targeting calcium signalling at synapses with a cyclic peptide. In R. Napper (Ed.), Proceedings of the 27th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 27, (pp. 35). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2009.htm

Nagaraja, R. Y., Huang, H., Turner, P. R., Akemann, W., Knopfel, T., & Empson, R. (2009). Adaptive alterations to cerebellar synapse function in the ataxic PMCA2 knockout mouse. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 39th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx

Huang, H., Potapov, D., & Empson, R. M. (2009). PMCA2 gene deletion profoundly disrupts the morphology of cerebellar cortex. In R. Napper (Ed.), Proceedings of the 27th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 27, (pp. 33). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2009.htm

Empson, R. M., & Knöpfel, T. (2009). The impact of calcium export dynamics for neuron function. Proceedings of the ComBio2009 Conference. [CD-ROM] [Abstract]

Nagaraja, R. Y., Roome, C. J., & Empson, R. M. (2008). Functional expression of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase, PMCA2, at inhibitory synapses. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 26, (pp. 30). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf

Empson, R. M., & Jensen, T. P. (2008). Reduced expression of pre-synaptic plasma membrane Ca-²⁺ ATPase (PMCA2a) accompanies enhanced glutamate release in a model of homeostatic plasticity. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 26, (pp. 24). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf

Empson, R. M., Garside, M. L., & Knopfel, T. (2007). The plasma membrane Ca⁺⁺ ATPase, PMCA2, contributes to pre-synaptic Ca⁺⁺ dynamics and short term plasticity at the cerebellar parallel fibre to Purkinje neurone synapse. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 25th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 25, (pp. 33). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2007Abstracts.pdf

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Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Roome, C. J., & Empson, R. M. (2009, September). Altered synaptic calcium signalling in a mouse model of cerebellar ataxia. Poster session presented at the Third Annual Division of Health Sciences Research Forum, Wellington, New Zealand.

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Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Empson, R. (2016, June). Personal experience for public appearance: How I linked my family experience in the Great War to help communicate my science today. Verbal presentation at the 10th Annual Brain Health Research Centre Conference: The Developing Brain, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Empson, R. (2014, June). Sparks to fire: The arrival of optogenetic voltage reporting. Verbal presentation at the 8th Annual Brain Health Research Centre Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Empson, R. (2014, August). From sparks to fire: Using optogenetic voltage imaging to untangle cortical microcircuitry. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Empson, R. (2011, October). Role of NCX in the cerebellum. Invited presentation at the 6th International Conference on Na⁺/Ca⁺ Exchange, Naples, Italy.

Medlicott, N. J., Hildebrandt, C., Jørgensen, L., & Empson, R. (2010, February). Formulation strategies for controlled delivery of brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) to the brain. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Chapter of the Controlled Release Society 12th Conference on Formulation and Delivery of Bioactives, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Nagaraja, R. Y., Reynolds, J. N. J., Medlicott, N. J., & Empson, R. M. (2010, February). Polymeric devices for the delivery of neuroactive compounds to the cerebellum in vivo. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Chapter of the Controlled Release Society 12th Conference on Formulation and Delivery of Bioactives, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Empson, R. (2009, September). Movers and shakers: How finely-tuned calcium signals in the brain influence motor performance. Verbal presentation at the Third Annual Division of Health Sciences Research Forum, Wellington, New Zealand.

Empson, R. (2008, June). Bouncing back: A role for the Ca²⁺ pump during synapse remodeling. Verbal presentation at the Brain Health and Repair Research Centre 2nd Annual Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

More publications...

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