Cellular & Molecular Neurodegeneration

Associate Professor Anthony White

Group Leader

The Cellular and Molecular Neurodegeneration Laboratory investigates the cause and potential treatments for brain diseases including dementia (Alzheimer’s disease), 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 currently developing new human brain cell culture methods for microglia, brain endothelial cells, organoids (mini-brains), and olfactory (nasal) cells.

The lab 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, SARS-CoV-2, and bushfire smoke on brain health. We have also established platforms for drug screening to identify potential new therapeutics for treatment of brain diseases.

CURRENT RESEARCH

2D and 3D culture models of human microglia from Alzheimer’s disease, motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s disease
2D and 3D cultures models of the blood-brain barrier
organoid (mini-brain) models of Alzheimer’s disease
olfactory (nasal) cell models of Alzheimer’s disease
impact of bushfire smoke and other forms of air pollution on brain health and disease
development of an olfactory cell assay for bushfire smoke impact on human health
improving drug delivery with focused ultrasound to transiently open the blood brain barrier
development of novel metal-drugs for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease)
Parkinson’s disease

Staff:

Amali Fernando, Research Assistant
Carla Cuni-Lopez, Visiting Scientist
Dr Fazeleh Etebar, Research Officer
Dr Hazel Quek, Research Officer
Ian Peall, Research Assistant
Dr Juliana Da Silva Chaves, Research Officer
Dr Laura Rantanen, Research Officer
Dr Lotta Oikari, Senior Research Officer
Dr Romal Stewart, Research Officer

Internal Collaborators:

External Collaborators:

Dr Katja Kanninen & Dr Tarja Malm, A.I. Virtanen Institute, Kuopio, Finland
Dr Lezanne Ooi, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, Griffith University
Professor Vincenzo La Bella, University of Palermo
Dr Alexandra Grubman, Monash University
Dr Alex Cristino, Griffith University
Dr Luke Knibbs, University of Queensland
Professor Zoran Ristovski, Queensland University of Technology
Professor Jari Koistinaho, Helsinki University
Professor Juergen Goetz, Queensland Brain Institute
Professor Sandra Hodge, The University of Adelaide
Dr Fabienne Reisen, CSIRO
Dr Luana Main, Deakin University
Dr Jeffrey Liddell & Dr Peter Crouch, Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne
Professor Ashley Bush & Professor Colin Masters, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Professor Paul Donnelly, School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne

NHMRC
MRFF
Motor Neuron Disease Research Australia (MNDRA)
FightMND Foundation

STUDENT PROJECTS

The potential impact of bushfire smoke on brain health

This project is suitable for Honours, Masters, MPhil, MD or PhD student. Background In this project, we are using our monocyte and pluripotent stem cell-derived brain cell models to understand how bushfire smoke affects the human brain, particularly its ability to include neuroinflammation. We are also working with Assoc. Prof. Michelle Lupton, and Dr Jodi […]

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Drug repurposing to treat childhood dementia

This project is suitable for Honours, Masters, MPhil, MD or PhD student. Background Childhood dementia is caused by a group of genetic disorders which have effects on infants and children that include dementia (loss of normal brain function). There are no cures, and treatments limited effects. We are collaborating with Prof. Eske Derks and Dr […]

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Generating Alzheimer’s microglia for testing patient responses to immune-modulating compounds

This project is suitable for a PhD or Honours student. Alzheimer’s disease is anticipated to affect 100 million patients with an annual cost of US$1 trillion by 2050. Promising amyloid-clearing therapies have failed to translate to clinical outcomes, and new approaches targeting the underlying molecular pathways of Alzheimer’s disease are urgently required. There has been […]

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Development of metal-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases

PhD project but may also be considered for an Honours project Biological trace elements, also known as trace minera, or biometals include copper, zinc, iron, selenium and manganese. These and other biometals have essential roles in many areas of brain function including energy metabolism, transcription factor activity, antioxidant regulation and synaptic signalling. During ageing and […]

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Generating patient-derived microglia to investigate neuroinflammation in MND

Alzheimer’s disease is anticipated to affect 100 million patients with an annual cost of US$1 trillion by 2050. Promising amyloid-clearing therapies have failed to translate to clinical outcomes, and new approaches targeting the underlying molecular pathways of Alzheimer’s disease are urgently required. There has been a ‘re-awakening’ to the critical role of microglia in Alzheimer’s […]

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Olfactory stem cells for investigating the causes and progression of dementia

This project is suitable for a PhD or Honours student. BACKGROUND With no clinical success yet achieved from amyloid-targeting strategies, there is an urgent need to gain new insights and develop effective treatments for people who have dementia. New stem cell-based approaches have generated much excitement in dementia research with the potential to study patient-derived […]

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