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

150 works between 1984 and 2025
All (150) Journal Article (133) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (9) Other Outputs (3)

101 - 120 of 150 works

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

2001

Conference Publication

Carbohydrates as axon guidance molecules in the olfactory system

St John, J. A., Claxton, C. and Key, B. (2001). Carbohydrates as axon guidance molecules in the olfactory system. XXIIIrd Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, Sarasota, Florida, USA, 25-29 April, 2001.

Carbohydrates as axon guidance molecules in the olfactory system

2001

Journal Article

Chemically and morphologically identifiable glomeruli in the rat olfactory bulb

St John, J. A. and Key, B. (2001). Chemically and morphologically identifiable glomeruli in the rat olfactory bulb. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 436 (4), 497-507. doi: 10.1002/cne.1083

Chemically and morphologically identifiable glomeruli in the rat olfactory bulb

2000

Journal Article

Primary olfactory axons form ectopic glomeruli in mice lacking p75NTR

Tisay, KT, Bartlett, PF and Key, B (2000). Primary olfactory axons form ectopic glomeruli in mice lacking p75NTR. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 428 (4), 656-670. doi: 10.1002/1096-9861(20001225)428:43.0.CO;2-7

Primary olfactory axons form ectopic glomeruli in mice lacking p75NTR

2000

Journal Article

DCC plays a role in navigation of forebrain axons across the ventral midbrain commissure in embryonic Xenopus

Anderson, R. B., Cooper, H. M., Jackson, S. C., Seaman, C. and Key, B. (2000). DCC plays a role in navigation of forebrain axons across the ventral midbrain commissure in embryonic Xenopus. Developmental Biology, 217 (2), 244-253. doi: 10.1006/dbio.1999.9549

DCC plays a role in navigation of forebrain axons across the ventral midbrain commissure in embryonic Xenopus

2000

Journal Article

Expression and putative role of neuropilin-1 in the early scaffold of axon tracts in embryonic Xenopus brain

Anderson, R. B., Jackson, S. C., Fujisawa, H. and Key, B. (2000). Expression and putative role of neuropilin-1 in the early scaffold of axon tracts in embryonic Xenopus brain. Developmental Dynamics, 219 (1), 102-108. doi: 10.1002/1097-0177(2000)9999:99993.0.CO;2-4

Expression and putative role of neuropilin-1 in the early scaffold of axon tracts in embryonic Xenopus brain

2000

Journal Article

Dynamic spatiotemporal expression patterns of neurocan and phosphacan indicate diverse roles in the developing and adult mouse olfactory system

Clarris, HJ, Rauch, U and Key, B (2000). Dynamic spatiotemporal expression patterns of neurocan and phosphacan indicate diverse roles in the developing and adult mouse olfactory system. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 423 (1), 99-111. doi: 10.1002/1096-9861(20000717)423:13.0.CO;2-I

Dynamic spatiotemporal expression patterns of neurocan and phosphacan indicate diverse roles in the developing and adult mouse olfactory system

2000

Journal Article

Expression of EphA5 during development of the olfactory nerve pathway in rat

St John, J. A., Tisay, K. T., Caras, I. W. and Key, B. (2000). Expression of EphA5 during development of the olfactory nerve pathway in rat. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 416 (4), 540-550. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9861(20000124)416:43.0.CO;2-Y

Expression of EphA5 during development of the olfactory nerve pathway in rat

1999

Journal Article

Development of P2 olfactory glomeruli in P2-internal ribosome entry site-tau-lacZ transgenic mice

Royal, Stephanie J. and Key, Brian (1999). Development of P2 olfactory glomeruli in P2-internal ribosome entry site-tau-lacZ transgenic mice. Journal of Neuroscience, 19 (22), 9856-9864. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.19-22-09856.1999

Development of P2 olfactory glomeruli in P2-internal ribosome entry site-tau-lacZ transgenic mice

1999

Journal Article

The extracellular matrix modulates olfactory neurite outgrowth on ensheathing cells

Tisay, Katarina T. and Key, Brian (1999). The extracellular matrix modulates olfactory neurite outgrowth on ensheathing cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 19 (22), 9890-9899. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.19-22-09890.1999

The extracellular matrix modulates olfactory neurite outgrowth on ensheathing cells

1999

Journal Article

Errors in lamina growth of primary olfactory axons in the rat and mouse olfactory bulb

Tenne-Brown, J. and Key, B. (1999). Errors in lamina growth of primary olfactory axons in the rat and mouse olfactory bulb. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 410 (1), 20-30. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9861(19990719)410:13.0.CO;2-T

Errors in lamina growth of primary olfactory axons in the rat and mouse olfactory bulb

1999

Journal Article

Neurite-outgrowth regulating functions of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease

Small, D. H., Clarris, H. L., Williamson, T. G., Reed, G., Key, B., Mok, S. S., Beyreuther, K., Masters, C. L. and Nurcombe, V. (1999). Neurite-outgrowth regulating functions of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 1 (4-5), 275-285. doi: 10.3233/JAD-1999-14-508

Neurite-outgrowth regulating functions of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease

1999

Journal Article

Neuronal pathfinding during development of the rostral brain in Xenopus

Key, B and Anderson, RB (1999). Neuronal pathfinding during development of the rostral brain in Xenopus. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 26 (9), 752-754.

Neuronal pathfinding during development of the rostral brain in Xenopus

1999

Journal Article

Expression of galectin-1 in the olfactory nerve pathway of rat

St John, J. A. and Key, B. (1999). Expression of galectin-1 in the olfactory nerve pathway of rat. Developmental Brain Research, 117 (2), 171-178. doi: 10.1016/S0165-3806(99)00118-2

Expression of galectin-1 in the olfactory nerve pathway of rat

1999

Journal Article

Role of acetylcholinesterase in the development of axon tracts within the embryonic vertebrate brain

Anderson, RB and Key, B (1999). Role of acetylcholinesterase in the development of axon tracts within the embryonic vertebrate brain. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 17 (8), 787-793. doi: 10.1016/S0736-5748(99)00064-7

Role of acetylcholinesterase in the development of axon tracts within the embryonic vertebrate brain

1999

Journal Article

Novel guidance cues during neuronal pathfinding in the early scaffold of axon tracts in the rostral brain

Anderson, RB and Key, B (1999). Novel guidance cues during neuronal pathfinding in the early scaffold of axon tracts in the rostral brain. Development, 126 (9), 1859-1868.

Novel guidance cues during neuronal pathfinding in the early scaffold of axon tracts in the rostral brain

1998

Journal Article

Expression of galectin-1 in the mouse olfactory system

Tenne-Brown, J, Puche, AC and Key, B (1998). Expression of galectin-1 in the mouse olfactory system. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 42 (6), 791-799.

Expression of galectin-1 in the mouse olfactory system

1998

Journal Article

Chondroitin sulfates modulate axon guidance in embryonic Xenopus brain

Anderson, RB, Walz, A, Holt, CE and Key, B (1998). Chondroitin sulfates modulate axon guidance in embryonic Xenopus brain. Developmental Biology, 202 (2), 235-243. doi: 10.1006/dbio.1998.9006

Chondroitin sulfates modulate axon guidance in embryonic Xenopus brain

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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