Our research team is part of the Macquarie University Centre for MND Research. We work collaboratively with Forefront Research Group. Our research aims to use cutting edge genetics, genomics and bioinformatics to identify gene mutations that cause MND. We further investigate the effects of those mutations using cell biology techniques, such as immunohistochemistry/immunocytochemistry, transfection, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. We have found mutations in several new disease genes among MND patients (published in Science and Nature Neuroscience).
Meet our Research Group
Professor Ian Blair
Professor of Neurobiology, Macquarie University
- Genetics
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Dr Jenn Fifita
Postdoctoral research fellow, Macquarie University
- Gene Discovery
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics
Dr Kelly Williams
NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow, Macquarie University
- Genomics
- Transcriptomics
- Bioinformatics
Dr Shu Yang
Postdoctoral research fellow, Macquarie University
- Neuropathology
- Cell Biology
- MND gene discovery
Dr Lyndal Henden
Postdoctoral research fellow, Macquarie University
- Bioinformatics
- Statistics
- Genomics
Dr Emily McCann
Postdoctoral research fellow, Macquarie University
- Genetics
- Genomics
- Next-generation sequencing
Sandrine Chan Moi Fat
PhD Student
The investigation of motor neuron disease candidate gene variants
Supervisors: Prof. Ian Blair, Dr Jennifer Fifita, Dr Emily McCann, Dr Shu Yang
Years:
Sharlynn Wu
PhD Student
Elucidating the cellular mechanisms associated with novel and known ALS genes
Supervisors: Dr Shu Yang (Principal), Dr Jennifer Fifita, Dr Alison Hogan, Prof. Ian Blair
Years:
Natalie Grima
PhD Student
Novel genomic and transcriptomic features of sporadic MND
Supervisors: Prof. Ian Blair, Dr. Kelly Williams
Years: 2021-24