Fat fuels our brains in new AIBN discovery
Published on: 1 October 2025
Joensuu Group
Decoding how lipids, membranes and energy dynamics shape neuronal function and disease
Our mission is to investigate how proteins, lipids and metabolism govern neuronal functions in health and disease, how genetic mutations, neurotoxins and viruses, disrupt these processes, aiming to uncover new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative and neurological disorders.
The Joensuu Group, led by Dr Dr Merja Joensuu, focuses on understanding how proteins and lipids regulate neuronal function in health and disease. The group investigates the molecular and metabolic mechanisms that sustain neuronal energy, communication and membrane dynamics, combining cutting-edge advanced imaging technologies, multiomics and metabolic assays in disease-relevant models. A central theme of our work is uncovering how endogenous lipid metabolism contributes to neuronal bioenergetics and how its disruption drives neurodegenerative processes.
The research programme investigates Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia subtype 54 (HSP54), a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by DDHD2 mutations. HSP54 is a childhood-onset neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive cognitive and motor dysfunction.The underlying pathological mechanism of HSP54 has remained poorly understood, and no disease-modifying therapies exist.
The group works with mouse models of HSP54, and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons and preclinical organoid models. By defining the molecular mechanisms driving HSP54 pathology, the group recently formulated an activated fatty acid therapy that restored energy and function in cultured HSP54 neurons.
Research Areas
- Neurobiology
- Cell biology
- Lipid metabolism
- Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia 54
- Neuroparalysis
- Viral Infections
- Membrane trafficking
Research Approach
Our research approach combines advanced imaging with multiomic and cell biological methods to address complex questions in neuronal function and disease. By integrating these complementary technologies in human stem cell-derived models, we capture molecular, spatial and functional dynamics within the same system. We focus on defining the mechanisms that drive neuronal dysfunction at multiple scales, from molecules to circuits. This integrated strategy enables the identification of actionable therapeutic targets and the development of interventions, including metabolic, anti-toxin and antiviral approaches.
10 Years, 10 Reasons: Dr Merja Joensuu
Research Highlights
Funding
Since 2019
- The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant (2026-2010) - Harnessing the biology of a cell surface receptor to target poor outcome breast cancer
- NHMRC-European Union Collaborative Research Grant (2025-2029) - Super-resolution Imaging Study on Host-targeted Interventions Against Orthoflavivirus Neuroinvasion
- Partner on European Union HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions Grant (2025-2029) -
- Receptor-Focused Interventions Against Orthoflavivirus Neuroinvasion and Entry
- Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation Project Grant (2020-2021) - Dendritic spine actin dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder leads to altered neurotransmitter receptor mobility
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) (2019-2022) - A novel role for saturated fatty acids in learning and memory
Publications
Click here to view Joensuu group publications
