Biology subjects

Chancellor, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Chancellor, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Cerebrovascular Single-Nucleus RNA-Seq Reveals Heat Shock Activation and Vascular Remodeling in Alzheimer's Disease and Primary Tauopathies

Cerebrovascular alterations are widely observed in both Alzheimers Disease (AD) and primary tauopathies. Here, we hypothesized that mechanisms of cerebrovascular alterations are shared between AD and primary tauopathies. We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing of postmortem human inferior temporal gyrus to characterize transcriptomic changes across cerebrovascular cell types in AD and primary tauopathies (Corticobasal Degeneration, Picks disease, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Differential gene expression analyses revealed disease-specific transcriptional programs across vascular cell populations. However, genes involved in the heat-shock response were consistently upregulated across all diseases, suggesting a conserved cerebrovascular stress response during neurodegeneration. We further identified marked cerebrovascular remodeling in AD relative to primary tauopathies, along with dysregulation of genes mapping to AD risk loci in endothelial cells. Transcriptomic findings were validated using tissue clearing, light-sheet microscopy, and immunofluorescence quantification of vascular markers. These results define a conserved vascular stress program alongside AD-specific remodeling, highlighting the vasculature as a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Hormonal and Environmental Drivers of Spermiation in the Endangered Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa): Toward Biologically Informed Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrates, yet assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) remain underutilised in their conservation. We developed and evaluated a biologically relevant, non-lethal sperm collection protocol for Rana muscosa, a critically endangered frog in a long-term conservation breeding program. Thirteen hormone treatments were tested across six post-injection time points, and sperm quality was assessed via concentration, motility, osmolality, and pH. Generalised linear mixed models revealed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRHa) alone significantly outperformed hCG-based regimens. The 3 {micro}g/g GnRHa dose yielded the highest sperm concentration and sustained motility from 3 to 24 hours post-injection. Motility was highest under moderately acidic (pH 6.5-7.0) and hypoosmotic (75-100 mOsm/kg) conditions. To support decision-making, we applied a refined Wildlife Sperm Index (WSI) that weights motility and concentration as primary functional-yield traits, with motility given greater relative weight given its direct role in fertilisation, and treats pH and osmolality as secondary environmental-compatibility traits. Under this revised composite score, 3 {micro}g/g GnRHa achieved the highest overall WSI score, outperforming 2 {micro}g/g and 4 {micro}g/g GnRHa, which ranked second and third, respectively, despite their more favourable pH and osmolality profiles. These findings provide the first evidence-based ART protocol for R. muscosa and offer a transferable framework for optimising gamete collection, IVF, and cryopreservation in line with other amphibian species, advancing both genetic management and species recovery goals.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2021

In the Line of Fire: Debris Throwing by Wild Octopuses

Wild octopuses at an Australian site frequently propel shells, silt, and algae through the water by releasing these materials from their arms while creating a forceful jet from the siphon held under the arm web. These "throws" occur in several contexts, including interactions with conspecifics, and material thrown in conspecific contexts frequently hits other octopuses. Some throws appear to be targeted on other individuals and play a social role, as suggested by several kinds of evidence. Such throws were significantly more vigorous and more often used silt, rather than shells or algae, and high vigor throws were significantly more often accompanied by uniform or dark body patterns. Some throws were directed differently from beneath the arms and such throws were significantly more likely to hit other octopuses. Throws targeted at other individuals in the same population, as these appear to be, are the least common form of nonhuman throwing.

animal behavior and cognition↗