Neurobiology works collaboratively to leverage the world-class resources at the Charles Perkins Centre to study the brain from molecular scale to behaviour. We investigate how the brain works, examine causes and triggers of disease and identify therapeutic strategies that appropriately target the complexity of neurological disorders. We work with the collective expertise at the Centre to determine how modifiable risk factors like diet impacts on brain health across the lifespan.

Neurobiology pursues opportunities to convert intellectual property into commercially viable assets, including the development of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers of disease, stem cell and gene therapies and medical devices.  We partner with government philanthropic agencies and Australian and international biotechnology companies to accelerate the translation of findings. Most importantly, the Neurobiology node creates legacy by training the next generation of neuroscientists through honours, higher degree by research and postdoctoral training programs. 

Our Neurobiology node uses advanced neuroscience tools, which are increasingly combined with therapeutic approaches such as cell transplantation into animal models of Parkinson’s disease. We also have expertise in cell and animal models of Motor Neuron Disease and Alzheimer’s disease, where we use advanced microscopy to view, monitor and perform interventions. Teams within the Neurobiology node have expertise in multi-omics analyses including spatial transcriptomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and lipidomics as well as DNA- and RNA-targeting CRISPR technology. Additionally, we use other advanced molecular biology tools to identify mechanisms driving disease processes to inform new therapeutic targets.

Our team investigates the basis of mental health disorders including addiction and anxiety using human post-mortem brain tissue including that sourced from the NIH-funded brain bank, the New South Wales Brain Tissue Resource Centre, housed within the Charles Perkins Centre.

After heart disease, dementia and stroke are the two biggest killers in Australia and the prevalence of these is increasing rapidly with our ageing population. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease this trend can only be reversed by new treatments, and this means new targets are required. Whereas mental health conditions represent a very high burden of disease because they are increasingly affecting young Australians and seriously undermines seriously undermines their and Australia’s ability to realise its future potential.

There is good evidence to suggest that similar mechanisms can operate across different types of brain disorders but also that breakthroughs in systemic diseases like diabetes may have unforeseen but positive effects on the brain. For example, new diabetes medicines are showing benefits in the treatment of alcohol addiction. These types of synergies are the product of multidisciplinary science which is the basis of the Charles Perkins Centre’s mission.

By immersing world-class neuroscience within a wider network of chronic disease excellence, the Neurobiology node brings a unique approach to Australia’s most pressing health problems.

• Professor Greg Sutherland (Node leader)
• Professor Laura Piccio
• Asscoiate Professor Markus Hofer
• Professor Lachlan Thompson
• Professor Adam Walker
• Dr Asheeta Prasad
• Dr Natalie Matosin
• Dr Rebecca San Gil
• Professor Anthony Don
• Professor Jonathan Crowston
• Professor Elena Bagley
• Dr Andrea Loreto
• Dr Han Chow Chua
• Dr Bryony Winters
• Dr Katie Robinson
• Dr Lydia Hardowar | Node administrator