A Grey Matter

In neurodegenerative diseases, about 99% are associated with protein molecules aggregating together. In recent years, super-resolution microscopy has revolutionised how scientists view these minute molecules aggregating, along with other cellular events. QBI’s Professor Fred Meunier advocated that The University of Queensland invest in super-resolution microscopy; this had paid dividends, revealing fascinating discoveries about the nanoworld. Professor Meunier and his lab can now observe molecules moving in space and time and are developing new techniques to better understand how our cells help us treat brain disorders and diseases. In this dynamic conversation, Professor Fred Meunier and Anusha Malapaka discuss Related resources Unravelling the mysteries of the presynapse with super-resolution microscopy Nanoscale spatiotemporal cluster analysis of expressed and endogenous proteins

Despite its everyday use in hospitals, scientists have yet to fully understand how general anaesthesia works. Professor Bruno van Swinderen began studying general anaesthesia using the tiny worm C.elegans in the 1990s. Now in his lab at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Bruno and Dr Drew Cylinder are studying general anaesthesia reversal agents, which could shorten patients’ recovery time and potentially reduce the risk of post-operative complications. In this thought-provoking discussion, Bruno and Drew explore: Related resources Corals and fruit flies aid understanding of anaesthesia

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of our cells, but research is revealing their wide role in brain health and links to rare genetic diseases that affect the brain. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Professor Steven Zuryn, a leading researcher in this field, and PhD student Tessa Onraet are investigating how keeping mitochondria healthy may help brain function. By studying tiny but experimentally powerful worms, C. elegans, their discoveries may help us understand more about the ageing brain and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. In this engaging conversation, Steven and Tessa discuss: C.elegansRelated papers and resources Digging deep into distinctly different DNAC. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease

Exercise has many health benefits, including for our brains. Recent discoveries at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute offer new clues about the mechanisms that generate exercise’s positive effects. In their labs, Dr Tara Walker and Professor Jana Vukovic investigate how exercise enhances cognitive capacity from different angles. They study various mechanisms that can improve learning, memory, and neurogenesis. They are both on the cusp of clinical trials to begin translating their findings into practice. In this captivating conversation, Tara and Jana explore: Related papers and resources Exercise can help slow cognitive decline What the evidence tells us about exercise and healthy brain ageing Platelets can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain UQ research reveals exercise brain boost can last for years

Virtual reality (VR) is changing how scientists study memory, and it involves exploring virtual mazes. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, cognitive neuroscience leader Professor Jason Mattingley, PhD student Richard Ronayne, and research assistant Jayce Rushton are conducting VR experiments that they hope will be adopted in clinical settings to test people’s navigational and spatial memory. In part two of this two-part series, our guests discuss: Related papers and resources Interpreting memory

Virtual reality (VR) is more than just a video game tool — it’s helping advance our understanding of memory. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, cognitive neuroscientist Professor Jason Mattingley, PhD student Richard Ronayne, and research assistant Jace Rushton are using VR to immerse people in a world they can explore to test their navigational and spatial memory. In part one of this two-part series, our guests discuss: Related papers and resources: What is memory? Types of memory

Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol grew up far from Queensland – Massimo in Naples, Italy, and Ramon in Catalonia, Spain. Their passion for biology led them both overseas as postdoctoral researchers: Massimo to the United States, and then Ramon to Australia. In 2015, they met at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, where Ramon joined the Meunier lab before moving to the Hilliard lab in 2020 as a Research Fellow. Together, they have been extending the limits of what is known or expected about neuronal fusion. In this fascinating conversation, Massimo and Ramon explore: C.elegans, Related resources SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral fusogens cause neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal activity EFF-1-mediated regenerative axonal fusion requires components of the apoptotic pathway Fusogen-mediated neuron−neuron fusion disrupts neural circuit connectivity and alters animal behavior

In this special World Stroke Day edition, three remarkable women open up about stroke from every angle — surviving it, treating it, and fighting it in the lab. Letishia Living was just 35 when her life changed overnight; today, she’s a powerful voice for young stroke survivors. Tennille Rowland, an occupational therapist on the frontlines of recovery, reveals the strategies behind rebuilding lives and QBI neuroscientist, Dr Matilde Balbi, takes us inside her cutting-edge research searching for new treatments to heal the brain. In this informative podcast, our three guests discuss: Related papers and Resources The brief executive language screen: sensitivity and specificity in acute to early sub-acute stroke New screening tool to help stroke survivors Stroke signs and symptoms Queensland Brain Injury Collaborative The Stroke Foundation

Please note that this episode contains discussions about suicidal ideation, which some listeners may find distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by these kinds of issues, we encourage you to seek support from professional services. Heather Cruickshank was pursuing a lifelong dream to become a medical doctor when bipolar disorder, a complex mental health condition, stopped her in her tracks and forced her to rethink her career. A chance encounter with QBI Associate Professor Susannah Tye, internationally renowned for her research into the biological mechanisms behind mood disorders, encouraged Heather to use her lived experience to pave the way for more effective treatments for bipolar disorder. In this compelling conversation, Sue and Heather explore: · The link between mental and physical health · What it’s like to have bipolar disorder · Why studying the biology of mood disorders matters · The role of melatonin, oxidative stress and dopamine · How lived experience can help shape research

While countless supplements and products promise to reverse aging without scientific proof, the real secret to defying age may be found in the study of epigenetics. This field of study explores how our behaviours and environment can lead to changes that influence how our genes function. Dr Anne Hahn from the Zuryn laboratory has recently discovered a mechanism in the DNA of genes that regulates how disease-causing mutations are inherited. The findings offer a promising therapeutic avenue to stop the onset of heritable and age-related diseases. In this informative interview Dr Hahn explains: Why the old belief that DNA mutations inevitably lead to disease might not be true The important part mitochondria play in cell ageing The lifestyle factors the can influence our genetic make-up Why epigenetic modification is important in age-related diseases Related Resources Cell protein discovery points to healthier ageing

Dr Matt Kenna is fascinated by the science of memory. As a researcher at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Matt is tasked with challenging prominent theories centred around one of the biggest unknowns in the world of neuroscience. Memory is fundamental to our identity, shaping who we are. As a member of the Sah lab, Matt studies synaptic plasticity to explore how memories are formed, retrieved, and influence behavior. In this engaging conversation, Matt discusses: Related papers and resources Interpreting memory: Research and Innovation Week 2024 Podcast: Train your brain UQ Research reveals exercise brain boost can last for years UQ Research reveals new brain networks critical to memory formation

Professor John McGrath, a distinguished clinician and researcher at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, is at the forefront of global mental health research. Growing up in Brisbane, John initially pursued a career as a psychiatrist before transitioning to groundbreaking research aimed at unraveling the complexities of mental health disorders. Co-leading a major international study in collaboration with The University of Queensland and Harvard Medical School, John’s research revealed that one in two people will develop a mental health disorder by the age of 75. This pivotal study sheds light on crucial questions about mental health. In this fascinating conversation, Professor McGrath discusses:

Mr Mehershad Wadia has written numerous scripts for short comedies screened at international film festivals like Mumbai and San Francisco, joined the writing team for the third season of The Office India and published a children’s book. Matching his passion for entertainment is Mehershad’s commitment to brain research. He is adamant there is no reason to choose between the two. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Mehershad works in the Hilliard lab, studying the nervous system of c.elegans. In this insightful conversation, Mehershad explains:

Professor Gail Robinson has developed a new diagnostic tool to assess cognitive function in post-stroke patients called The Brief Executive Language Screening Test (BELS). This brief 20-minute test, can predict how much a stroke patient will recover to function independently in their first year. In this informative podcast, Professor Robinson discusses:

We know exercise is beneficial for our body and mind. Research has shown that neurogenesis – the production of neurons in the brain – continues throughout our lives and is key to improving cognition. At the Queensland Brain Institute, Dr Daniel Blackmore, has been captivated by this process of neurogenesis. Alongside colleagues from The University of Queensland, he completed a comprehensive study, investigating the potential of exercise in mitigating the cognitive decline associated with diseases impacting learning and memory. In this fascinating conversation, Dr Blackmore discusses: What is happening in the brain at the onset of dementia? How stem cells are important in producing new neurons? What did you find out from the study? What type of exercise leads to cognitive improvement? Is there still more we can discover from this one study?

Dr Bonnie Searle is passionate about getting children to eat. In her past life as a paediatric dietitian for children with food aversions, she experienced first-hand the power of changing how we feed children. She is currently working on a special research project at the Queensland Brain Institute, called Mealtimes Matter, which suggests that there are some serious nutritional deficiencies in some childcare centres, particularly in disadvantaged areas, that is having a detrimental effect on child development. In this insightful conversation, Dr Searle discusses:

What do Wally Lewis AM and Nic Berry have in common? Quite a lot, it turns out. Wally started playing rugby union before switching codes to rugby league, becoming a legend of the game. Nic kicked off in rugby league before his professional career in rugby union, first as a player and now as an international match official. Both have also experienced significant head knocks in rugby and, with the benefit of hindsight, are passionate supporters of QBI’s concussion research. In this relaxed conversation, they share: Related resources What is concussion? Concussion signs and symptoms About concussion research QBI concussion study (high school athletes)

Last year, neuroengineer Dr Clarissa Whitmire joined the Queensland Brain Institute as a senior research fellow and is the Institute’s newest group leader. Originally from the United States, Clarissa arrived at UQ following a postdoctoral appointment at the Max Dellbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin. In a joint appointment with UQ’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Clarissa seeks to combine her expertise in biomedical engineering with the next phase of neuroscience. Here at QBI, Dr Whitmire and her team are working to improve the human condition by developing tools and technologies to interface with our bodies. Neuroscientists call this technology Brain Computer Interfaces – devices that establish a direct connection between the brain and a computer, allowing information to be transferred and translated from or even back to the brain. In this episode of A Grey Matter, Clarissa discusses: 🧬 The rapidly emerging field of biomedical engineering (BME). 💻 Neuroengineering and where Brain Computer Interfaces sit within this. 🎬 Whether popular media influences neuroengineering technologies. 👩‍⚕️ Her background and what drew her to neuroscience. 🤔 What the future holds for neuroengineering.