Ewch i’r prif gynnwys
Alan Watson

Dr Alan Watson

Reader

Ysgol y Biowyddorau

Email
WatsonA@caerdydd.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 75156
Campuses
Adeilad Syr Martin Evans, Ystafell Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Rhodfa'r Amgueddfa, Caerdydd, CF10 3AX
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Trosolwyg

My current research is focused on various aspects of musical performance physiology and ergonomics. I run a module for music students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where I am an Honorary Fellow. This includes respiratory activity in wind players and singers, ergonomic aspects of brass playing and embouchure muscle activity.

I am also involved in public engagement in science (see Engagement page).  My book on The Biology of Musical Performance and Performance Related Injury was published in 2009 and received a Maximising Impact Award from the School in 2010.

Roles

Year 3 Lead
Module Lead: BI2432 Fundamental Neuroscience
Exam Board Chair: Final Year Biomedical Sciences Subject Board
Designated Individual for Anatomy
Chair, Library Committee.

Cyhoeddiad

2020

2018

  • Watson, A. 2018. Prevention. In: Winspur, I. ed. The Musician's Hand. London: JP Medical, pp. 151-172.
  • Watson, A. H. 2018. Prevention. In: Winspur, I. ed. The Musician's Hand; A Clinical Guide. London: J.P. Medical, pp. 151-172.
  • Price, K. and Watson, A. H. D. 2018. Effect of using ergobrass ergonomic supports on postural muscles in trumpet, trombone, and french horn players. Medical Problems of Performing Artists 33(3), pp. 183. (10.21091/mppa.2018.3026)
  • Watson, A. 2018. Embouchure. In: Herbert, T., Myers, A. and Wallace, J. eds. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 156-159.
  • Watson, A. 2018. Embouchure dystonia. In: Herbert, T., Myers, A. and Wallace, J. eds. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 159-161.
  • Watson, A. 2018. Breathing. In: Herbert, T., Myers, A. and Wallace, J. eds. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 81-84.

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Adrannau llyfrau

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Projects

The synaptic basis of presynaptic inhibition

In vertebrates and invertebrates, the constant barrage of sensory input entering the central nervous system must be controlled so that it produces contextually relevant responses that are compatible with ongoing behaviour. The most direct form of control is exerted through presynaptic inhibition of sensory afferent terminals. Current research is concerned with analyzing the nature of the synaptic interactions of proprioceptive and mechanoreceptive sensory afferents in the spinal cord. Physiologically characterised sensory neurones are impaled with intracellular microelectrodes and labelled intracellularly for electron microscopy. Neurotransmitters in axons and dendrites in contact with afferent terminals are identified by immunocytochemical methods and the distribution of their synaptic contacts is displayed using computer aided reconstructions of serial sections. Previous work in the lab has examined sensory afferent terminals in the invertebrate nervous system and this continues in collaboration with groups in Bordeaux and Berlin. This has revealed that similar principles of afferent control operate in both vertebrates and invertebrates though with some differences in the transmitters involved.

Ageing on spinal autonomic circuitry

In collaboration with Dr RM Santer of the School of Biosciences, this work examines the effect ageing on the control of the lower pelvic viscera, particularly the urinary tract. Our previous studies have focused on age-related changes in the properties of the spinal circuitry controlling autonomic neurones. We are currently examining age-related changes in the expression of receptors for steroid hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters on preganglionic and autonomic neurones and in motorneurones innervating the pelvic floor.

Co-workers and collaborators

  • Dr R.M. Santer, Cardiff
  • Dr Richard Ranson, Cardiff
  • Hannah Shaw, Cardiff
  • Kevin Price, RWCMD
  • Buddug James, RWCMD

Other interests

I collaborate with Kevin Price (Head of Brass) and Buddug Verona James (Vocal Performance Dept.) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on research projects on respiration in wind players and singers, and instrumental ergonomics. These allow science and music students to work together to study physiology in a vocational context.

Addysgu

Medical and dental teaching; Human Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, physiology of speech.

Science teaching; Neuroanatomy, auditory physiology, invertebrate neuroscience, central auditory processing, neuroscience of language.

I teach on the Visceral Mind summer school at Bangor University.

Bywgraffiad

Ar ôl cwblhau gradd mewn Sŵoleg ym Mhrifysgol Caeredin, cynhaliais fy PhD ar amin bigenig sy'n cynnwys niwronau o'r ymennydd teleost a chynyrchiad awtonomig yr organau gweledol, yn labordy Gatty Marine ym Mhrifysgol St Andrews. Yna treuliais 9 mlynedd ym Mhrifysgol Caergrawnt gyda Malcolm Burrows, yn ymchwilio i natur a dosbarthiad synapsau ar niwronau a nodwyd yn y system nerfol ganolog locust. Yn ystod y cyfnod hwn cynhaliais Gymrodoriaeth Goffa Beit a chefais fy nghefnogi yn y pen draw gan fy grant MRC fy hun. Cefais fy mhenodi i ddarlithyddiaeth mewn Anatomeg yng Nghaerdydd yn 1989 a deuthum yn uwch ddarlithydd yn 1995.

Ymgysylltu

Array

External profiles