DRC Motor Neuron Disease
 

The Dementia Research Centre (DRC) Motor neuron disease research group work is based within the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences in MQ Health. This group explores current understanding of disease processes in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by developing and characterising new and improved models of FTD and ALS using both traditional transgenesis and AAV approaches, along with investigating functions of pathogenic mutations in neurodegenerative diseases.

  • Novel kinase inhibitors for the treatment of dementia – Carol Au, Emilija Robinson
  • Targeting pathogenic TAR DNA-binding protein 43 to treat frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease – Annika van Hummel
  • Clearance of TDP-43 by PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) dual targeting to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – Annika van Hummel

Meet our Research Group

Associate Professor Yazi Ke

Deputy Director of the Dementia Research Centre, Research Group leader, Macquarie University

  • Molecular biology
  • Animal models
  • Cell biology

Dr Carol Au

Staff Scientist, Macquarie University

  • Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Dr Emilija Robinson

Postdoctoral Researcher, Macquarie University

  • Epigenetic
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Therapy

Dr Annika van Hummel

Postdoctoral Researcher, Macquarie University

  • Mouse Models
  • Surgical Techniques
  • Molecular Biology