Professor Brian Key
Professor

Brian Key

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52955

Background

How to build a brain—2.0

For 25 years I was sole chief investigator on 17 NHMRC-ARC project grants that provided funding to decipher the molecular & cellular bases of brain development and regeneration in fish, frogs and mice. This work culminated in the discovery of how to genetically construct an evolutionary novel axon tract in the embryonic brain. This is what I now call an easy problem.

Now my lab has turned its attention to the hardest problem in the natural sciences—how does the brain experience subjective feelings?

Together with my collaborator Professor Deborah Brown (Professor of Philosophy at UQ) we have approached this problem through the sensation of pain and model organisms. We advance the framework of the brain as an inference machine that generates models of its own internal processes (Key and Brown, 2018). When hierarchically arranged, the outputs of these models represent progressive levels of awareness that are antecedent to feelings (i.e. the brain’s experience of its own neural activity). We have proposed a parallel forwards model algorithm and to date have found that fish and molluscs lack the required neural architecture to execute this algorithm and therefore do not feel pain.

Key, B. and Brown, D. (2018) Designing brains for pain: Human to mollusc. Frontiers in physiology 9:1027.

Availability

Professor Brian Key is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Education, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • brain development

  • fish pain

Search Professor Brian Key’s works on UQ eSpace

149 works between 1984 and 2024
All (149) Journal Article (132) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (9) Other Outputs (3)

81 - 100 of 149 works

2003

Journal Article

Sorting and convergence of primary olfactory axons are independent of the olfactory bulb

St John, J. A., Clarris, H. J., McKeown, S., Royal, S. and Key, B. (2003). Sorting and convergence of primary olfactory axons are independent of the olfactory bulb. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 464 (2), 131-140. doi: 10.1002/cne.10777

Sorting and convergence of primary olfactory axons are independent of the olfactory bulb

2003

Journal Article

Making developmental biology relevant to undergraduates in an era of economic rationalism in Australia

Key, B. and Nurcombe, V. (2003). Making developmental biology relevant to undergraduates in an era of economic rationalism in Australia. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 47 (2-3), 105-115.

Making developmental biology relevant to undergraduates in an era of economic rationalism in Australia

2003

Journal Article

Identifying axon guidance defects in the embryonic zebrafish brain

Devine, C. and Key, B. (2003). Identifying axon guidance defects in the embryonic zebrafish brain. Methods in Cell Science, 25 (1-2), 33-37. doi: 10.1023/B:MICS.0000006851.84998.e0

Identifying axon guidance defects in the embryonic zebrafish brain

2002

Journal Article

Heterogeneity in olfactory neurons in mouse revealed by differential expression of glycoconjugates

St John, James A. and Key, Brian (2002). Heterogeneity in olfactory neurons in mouse revealed by differential expression of glycoconjugates. Histochemical Journal, 34 (6-7), 281-289. doi: 10.1023/A:1023374407724

Heterogeneity in olfactory neurons in mouse revealed by differential expression of glycoconjugates

2002

Journal Article

Axon navigation in the mammalian primary olfactory pathway: Where to next?

Key, B. and St John, J. (2002). Axon navigation in the mammalian primary olfactory pathway: Where to next?. Chemical Senses, 27 (3), 245-260. doi: 10.1093/chemse/27.3.245

Axon navigation in the mammalian primary olfactory pathway: Where to next?

2002

Journal Article

Development of axon pathways in the zebrafish central nervous system

Hjorth, J. and Key, B. (2002). Development of axon pathways in the zebrafish central nervous system. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 609-619.

Development of axon pathways in the zebrafish central nervous system

2002

Journal Article

Expression of specific glycoconjugates in both primary and secondary olfactory pathways in BALB/C mice

Tisay, K. T., St John, J. A. and Key, B. (2002). Expression of specific glycoconjugates in both primary and secondary olfactory pathways in BALB/C mice. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 443 (3), 213-225. doi: 10.1002/cne.10107

Expression of specific glycoconjugates in both primary and secondary olfactory pathways in BALB/C mice

2002

Journal Article

The emergence of the field of developmental biology in Australia

Key, B. (2002). The emergence of the field of developmental biology in Australia. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 353-356.

The emergence of the field of developmental biology in Australia

2002

Journal Article

Laminar disorganisation of mitral cells in the olfactory bulb does not affect topographic targeting of primary olfactory axons

Royal, S. J., Gambello, M. J., Wynshaw-Boris, A., Key, B. and Clarris, H. J. (2002). Laminar disorganisation of mitral cells in the olfactory bulb does not affect topographic targeting of primary olfactory axons. Brain Research, 932 (1-2), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/S0006-8993(01)03384-4

Laminar disorganisation of mitral cells in the olfactory bulb does not affect topographic targeting of primary olfactory axons

2002

Journal Article

Expression of neurexin ligands, the neuroligins and the neurexophilins, in the developing and adult rodent olfactory bulb

Clarris, HJ, McKeown, S and Key, B (2002). Expression of neurexin ligands, the neuroligins and the neurexophilins, in the developing and adult rodent olfactory bulb. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 649-652.

Expression of neurexin ligands, the neuroligins and the neurexophilins, in the developing and adult rodent olfactory bulb

2002

Journal Article

Role of hlx1 in zebrafish brain morphogenesis

Hjorth, J. T., Connor, R. M. and Key, B. (2002). Role of hlx1 in zebrafish brain morphogenesis. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 583-596.

Role of hlx1 in zebrafish brain morphogenesis

2002

Journal Article

Expression and role of roundabout-1 in embryonic Xenopus forebrain

Connor, R. M. and Key, B. (2002). Expression and role of roundabout-1 in embryonic Xenopus forebrain. Developmental Dynamics, 225 (1), 22-34. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.10130

Expression and role of roundabout-1 in embryonic Xenopus forebrain

2002

Journal Article

Dynamin-dependent endocytosis is necessary for convergent-extension movements in Xenopus animal cap explants

Jarrett, O., Stow, J. L., Yap, A. S. and Key, B. (2002). Dynamin-dependent endocytosis is necessary for convergent-extension movements in Xenopus animal cap explants. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 467-473.

Dynamin-dependent endocytosis is necessary for convergent-extension movements in Xenopus animal cap explants

2002

Journal Article

EphA receptors and ephrin-A ligands exhibit highly regulated spatial and temporal expression patterns in the developing olfactory system

St John, J. A., Pasquale, E. B. and Key, B. (2002). EphA receptors and ephrin-A ligands exhibit highly regulated spatial and temporal expression patterns in the developing olfactory system. Developmental Brain Research, 138 (1), 1-14. doi: 10.1016/S0165-3806(02)00454-6

EphA receptors and ephrin-A ligands exhibit highly regulated spatial and temporal expression patterns in the developing olfactory system

2002

Journal Article

Multiple axon guidance cues establish the olfactory topographic map: how do these cues interact?

St John, JA, Clarris, HJ and Key, B (2002). Multiple axon guidance cues establish the olfactory topographic map: how do these cues interact?. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 639-647.

Multiple axon guidance cues establish the olfactory topographic map: how do these cues interact?

2002

Journal Article

Developmental biology in Australia and New Zealand

Key, B and McLennan, I (2002). Developmental biology in Australia and New Zealand. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46 (4), 341-351.

Developmental biology in Australia and New Zealand

2001

Journal Article

A zebrafish homologue of deleted in colorectal cancer (zdcc) is expressed in the first neuronal clusters of the developing brain

Hjorth, J. T., Gad, J., Cooper, H. and Key, B. (2001). A zebrafish homologue of deleted in colorectal cancer (zdcc) is expressed in the first neuronal clusters of the developing brain. Mechanisms of Development, 109 (1), 105-109. doi: 10.1016/S0925-4773(01)00513-5

A zebrafish homologue of deleted in colorectal cancer (zdcc) is expressed in the first neuronal clusters of the developing brain

2001

Journal Article

Are pioneer axons guided by regulatory gene expression domains in the zebrafish forebrain? High-resolution analysis of the patterning of the zebrafish brain during axon tract formation

Hjorth, J. T. and Key, B. (2001). Are pioneer axons guided by regulatory gene expression domains in the zebrafish forebrain? High-resolution analysis of the patterning of the zebrafish brain during axon tract formation. Developmental Biology, 229 (2), 271-286. doi: 10.1006/dbio.2000.9980

Are pioneer axons guided by regulatory gene expression domains in the zebrafish forebrain? High-resolution analysis of the patterning of the zebrafish brain during axon tract formation

2001

Conference Publication

Axon convergence in a disrupted olfactory system

St John, J. A. and Key, B. (2001). Axon convergence in a disrupted olfactory system. 4th Annual Scientific Meeting of Australasian Association, Sydney, Australia, 6 August 2001.

Axon convergence in a disrupted olfactory system

2001

Journal Article

Expression of glycoproteins in the vomeronasal organ reveals a novel spatiotemporal pattern of sensory neurone maturation

Clarris, H. J. and Key, B. (2001). Expression of glycoproteins in the vomeronasal organ reveals a novel spatiotemporal pattern of sensory neurone maturation. Journal of Neurobiology, 46 (2), 113-125. doi: 10.1002/1097-4695(20010205)46:23.0.CO;2-0

Expression of glycoproteins in the vomeronasal organ reveals a novel spatiotemporal pattern of sensory neurone maturation

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    Towards Closure on the Animal Pain Debate
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A state-of-the-art spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed imaging of live cells and super resolution microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Assessing the biological significance of candidate autism genes
    CRC for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC Limited)
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Establishment of an Integrated Facility for Single Cell Analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    The role of potassium channels in photoreceptor function
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Zebrafish Aquarium-Genetic Screening, Nursery and Importation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Establishing a UWA-UQ network for collaboration in Autism Research
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Neurodevelopmental role of susceptibility genes for Autism spectrum disorders: from genes to behaviour
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a digital Scanscope system for virtual microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Molecular and cellular mechanisms of vertebrate brain development
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Zebrafish Aquarium - expand capacity of existing Zebrafish facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Zebrafish behavioural suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Assessing gene function in the developing brain using zebrafish as a model system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Olfactory ensheathing cells: a major contributor to axon guidance?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Understanding cell physiology by confocal laser scanning microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    Australian Zebrafish Phenomics Facility
    NHMRC Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Molecular and cellular mechanisms of axon guidance in the vertebrate nervous system
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Assessing Gene Function In The Developing Brain Using Zebrafish As A Model System
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Deciphering the mechanisms for constructing the olfactory system
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006
    NHMRC_Infrastructure Item_Manufactured zebrafish aquarium system designed to manage multiple transgenic lines, multiple users and multiple lays per day
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Understanding the role of the olfactory ensheathing cell in the olfactory sensory system
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Molecular And Cellular Mechanisms Of Axon Guidance In The Vertebrate Nervous System
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    A Molecular Approach To Constructing The Olfactory System
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Assessing gene function in the developing vertebrate brain using zebrafish as a model system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Defining the role of Eph5 in olfactory axon growth, guidance and fasciculation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    NHMRC Equipment Grant 2000
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Axon Growth and Guidance in the Vertebrate Nervous System
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000
    High-resolution, high quality digital time-lapse microscopy system
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Molecular Mechanisms Required for Precise Olfactory Axon Targeting.
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Real-time imaging of growing axons in Xenopus forebrain.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Development of the olfactory nerve pathway
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Brian Key is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Towards closure of the fish pain debate

    We are seeking an Arts-Biomedical Science graduate to partake in this ambitious project.

    Arguments to the effect that certain animals do or do not have feelings, such as pain, are presumptive arguments. Like legal arguments, presumptive arguments are defeasible arguments, the conclusions of which are thought to be rationally acceptable on the balance of considerations (Walton 1996, 2011). Also like legal arguments, they invite paradoxical worries about how an argument can be both defeasible yet rationally binding (Walton et al, 2008). In legal contexts, we do not have the luxury of leaving questions of guilt or innocence hanging. A decision must be made. So too in matters pertaining to animal welfare, it is necessary to evaluate whether we have sufficient reason to decide whether a particular species of animal does or does not feel pain if we are to ensure that our treatment of that species is ethically appropriate.

    Each of the arguments in the animal consciousness debate can and has been evaluated on its own terms, but an interesting pattern emerges when viewed together as constituting a single dialogue involving multiple reasoners operating on divergent background assumptions and principles of reasoning. From this perspective, it can be seen where the blockages to consensus lie and what it would take to move the debate towards some form of closure so that decisions of importance to animal welfare could be undertaken with more confidence than they currently are. No meta-analysis of this debate as an instance of multi-agent reasoning has hitherto been undertaken. The overarching aim of this project is to conduct just such an analysis in an effort to identify principles that both sides of the debate might rationally agree upon and move the debate towards epistemic closure.

    The principal aims are:

    Aim 1. To reconstruct the debate about pain in non-human animals as an instance of multi-agent reasoning or dialogue to clarify precise points of agreement and disagreement,

    Aim 2. To argue for shared principles of reasoning drawing on available neuroscientific evidence in order to create avenues towards closure, and

    Aim 3. To address concerns about moral risk exceeding epistemic risk in judgements about non-human animal pain.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Scepticism of other minds in the animal pain debate

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Scepticism of other minds in the animal pain debate

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Brian Key directly for media enquiries about:

  • brain development
  • fish pain

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