The Research We Fund

ORC5: Investigating a novel disease gene in Meier-Gorlin syndrome

Supervised by Associate Professor Louise Bicknell

This project aims to explore a gene called ORC5 that is found to be different in two individuals, resulting in shared clinical features such as a significantly smaller head size (microcephaly), and other traits associated with a rare genetic disease known as Meier-Gorlin syndrome. By characterising ORC5, we can begin to understand why these individuals present with Meier-Gorlin syndrome-like features to aid in their diagnosis and prognosis. This research also has the potential to assist in diagnosing future patients globally. Families deserve the answer, and we have the ability to work towards a conclusion for these patients and their families.

Charting neuronal survival pathways in Parkinson’s disease

Supervised by Dr Indranil Basak

Parkinson's Disease remains the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, affecting millions of people. There is no available cure or treatment that slows disease progression, owed largely to a gap in knowledge in what kills some brain cells while other brain cells survive the disease. It is theorised that metal transporters may play a role in the differential survival of brain cells. My aim is to characterise and test whether the protection against Parkinson’s disease is caused by metal regulation in brain cells, to provide knowledge that will be used in future research for targeted therapies.

A New Peripheral Gene Therapy Approach for Treating Neuropathology associated with Alzheimer's Disease

Supervised by Dr Bruce Mockett

We often think of viruses as causes of sickness. However, by replacing their harmful, sickness-causing gene content with beneficial genes, they can become medicinal. When treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it’s typically difficult to get medicine into the brain. In this project, we are employing a virus shown to reach the brain via intravenous injection, aiming to increase the expression of a beneficial protein that promotes brain health and improves symptoms of AD. We will test the ability of this approach to significantly reduce AD neuropathology in an animal model of the disease.

International Headache Congress 2023, Seoul

Training at the University of Wollongong

European Brain and Behaviour conference, Amsterdam

Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research, Queenstown

Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research, Queenstown

Australasian Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, Brisbane