Dr Gareth B. Miles
Biography
Dr Miles began his research career as a postgraduate in the lab of Dr Gregory Funk at the University of Auckland (New Zealand). He first studied the neural control of respiration and then went on to investigate properties affecting calcium homeostasis in brainstem motoneurons with differential susceptibility to degeneration in MND. Dr Miles next worked as a post doctoral fellow at Dalhousie University (Canada) in the lab of Dr Robert Brownstone where he studied the intrinsic properties of spinal motoneurons and their modulation during locomotor activity. During his time at Dalhousie Dr Miles also investigated the potential held by embryonic stem cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. More recently (2007) Dr Miles took up a lectureship at the University of St Andrews where he continues research into motor control and MND (see below for further details).Research Overview
Dr Miles' laboratory at the University of St Andrews utilises a combination of electrophysiological and molecular techniques to study neurons of the spinal cord, including motoneurons, which control movement. Analyses extend from the level of ion channels up to entire neuronal networks involved in rhythmic motor behaviours such as locomotion. Ongoing studies concentrate on both the normal physiology of spinal neurons and perturbations in their properties which occur due to disease. Such studies are critical for the development of new treatment strategies for MND. In addition, Dr Miles is interested in the use of embryonic stem cells for the study of pathological mechanisms contributing to MND and ultimately for the design of new treatment strategies for the disease.Lab Website: http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/ncm
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons), University of Auckland, New Zealand, 1999
- PhD (Neurophysiology), University of Auckland, New Zealand, 2003
Select Publications
L. Zagoraiou, T. Akay, J.F. Martin, R.M. Brownstone, T.M. Jessell, G.B. Miles (2009) A cluster of cholinergic pre-motor interneurons modulates mouse locomotor activity. Neuron, 64(5): 645-662. * Featured on cover of issue.D.C. Yohn, G.B. Miles, V.F. Rafuse, R.M. Brownstone (2008). Transplanted mouse embryonic stem cell-derived motoneurons form functional motor units and reduce muscle atrophy. Journal of Neuroscience, 28(47):12409-12418.
G.B. Miles, R. Hartley, A.J. Todd, R.M. Brownstone (2007). Spinal cholinergic interneurons regulate the excitability of motoneurons during locomotion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(7):2448-2453.
G.B. Miles, Y. Dai, R.M. Brownstone (2005). Mechanisms underlying the early phase of spike frequency adaptation in mouse spinal motoneurons. Journal of Physiology (London) 566(2): 519-532.
G.B. Miles, D.C. Yohn, H. Wichterle, T.M. Jessell, V.F. Rafuse, R.M. Brownstone (2004). Functional properties of motoneurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 24(36):7848-58.