Research Focus
The Cellular and Molecular Neurodegeneration Laboratory investigates the cause and potential treatments for brain diseases including adult dementia (Alzheimer’s disease), childhood dementia, motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and Parkinson’s disease. These disorders (collectively known as neurodegenerative diseases) are a growing health issue in Australia and worldwide, with few treatment options available.
In order to gain a better understanding of these diseases and develop new therapeutic approaches, the research team is developing new human brain cell culture methods for microglia, brain endothelial cells, organoids (mini-brains), and olfactory (nasal) cells.
The laboratory is utilising these new 2D and 3D human brain cell models to understand brain disease pathways, and the impact of environmental factors such as air pollution and bushfire smoke on brain health. We have also established platforms for drug screening to identify potential new therapeutics for treatment of brain diseases.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Investigating the role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (dementia), motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and Parkinson’s disease
Improving drug delivery to the brain to treat neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (dementia), and motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Childhood dementia
Funding
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
- Motor Neuron Disease Research Australia (MNDRA)
- Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) Australia
- FightMND Foundation
- United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, Parkinson's Disease Research program
- Prader-Willi Research Foundation Australia
- Private donations
Publications
Hilton JBW, Kysenius K, Liddell JR, Mercer SW, Rautengarten C, Hare DJ, Buncic G, Paul B, Murray SS, McLean CA, Kilpatrick TJ, Beckman JS, Ayton S, Bush AI, White AR, Roberts BR, Donnelly PS, Crouch PJ. Integrated elemental analysis supports targeting copper perturbations as a therapeutic strategy in multiple sclerosis. Neurotherapeutics. 2024 Aug 19:e00432. doi: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00432. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39164165
Wasielewska JM, Chaves JCS, Cabral-da-Silva M, Pecoraro M, Viljoen SJ, Nguyen TH, La Bella V, Oikari LE, Ooi L, White AR. A patient-derived amyotrophic lateral sclerosis blood-brain barrier model for focused ultrasound-mediated anti-TDP-43 antibody delivery. Fluid barriers CNS. 2024 Aug 13;21( 1):65. doi: 10.1186/s12987-024-00565-1. PMID: 39138578
Chaves JCS, Milton LA, Stewart R, Senapati T, Rantanen LM, Wasielewska JM, Lee S, Hernández D, McInnes L, Quek H, Pébay A, Donnelly PS, White AR, Oikari LE. Differential cytokine responses of APOE3 and APOE4 blood-brain barrier cell types to SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2024 May 21;19( 1):22. doi: 10.1007/s11481-024-10127-9. PMID: 38771543
Further Information
Domestic
- Dr Alex Cristino, Griffith University
- Professor George Mellick, Griffith University
- Associate Professor Tony Cook, University of Tasmania
- Professor Zoran Ristovski, Queensland University of Technology
- Professor Juergen Goetz, Queensland Brain Institute
- Professor Sandra Hodge, The University of Adelaide
- Dr Fabienne Reisen, CSIRO
- Dr Luana Main, Deakin University
- Dr Samantha Dando, Queensland University of Technology
- Dr Jeffrey Liddell & Dr Peter Crouch, Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne
- Professor Colin Masters, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- Dr Xin Huang, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- Dr Tara Walker & Dr Odette Leiter., Queensland Brain Institute
- Professor Lezanne Ooi, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong
International
- Professor Katja Kanninen A.I. Virtanen Institute, Kuopio, Finland
- Professor Jari Koistinaho, University of Helsinki, Finland