Functional neuroanatomy of genitourinary vasculature

Project Details

This project is linked to our research funded by the US NIH (NIDDK) GUDMAP consortium.

The tissues of the bladder, urethra and urinary sphincter are repeatedly stretched and compressed during cycles of urine storage and voiding (micturition). This  affects vascular perfusion, as revealed by many remarkable adaptations  displayed by the blood vessels of the lower urinary tract.  For example, arterioles coil through the bladder wall, allowing them to elongate as the bladder stretches during filling; and large venous complexes positioned outside of the urethra appear to act as manifolds and pressure relieving reservoirs for blood squeezed out by the compressive force of the urinary sphincter.

This project will contribute to our research program by using advanced digital microscopy and 3D image analysis in mouse models to map  and understand the function of the complex vasculature tree found in the lower urinary tract and how it is controlled by the visceral nervous system.

Funding

US National Institutes of Health 2021-2026
National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK); GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAP):
Building a multi-scale vascular atlas of the mouse lower urinary tract

Research Group

Keast-Osborne Laboratory: Neural and Bioelectronic Control of Pelvic Organs



Faculty Research Themes

Neuroscience

School Research Themes

Cardio-Respiratory, Biomedical Neuroscience, Cell Signalling, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Systems Biology



Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Anatomy and Physiology

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