Stem cells

A human brain organoid model of acute prenatal hypoxia enables biomarker discovery and drug screening for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

February 2023–February 2026

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), also known as birth asphyxia, occurs at a rate of 4/1000 live births.

Pre-clinical testing of gene therapy in brain organoid models

Replacing a defective gene via AAV mediated gene therapy is a powerful therapeutic approach. This project will develop and test safer gene therapy approaches in pre-clinical human brain organoid models.

For those interested in: stem cell ageing and regenerative engineering

Elucidating genetic and environmentally induced hypomyelination

Diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease but also viral infections are accompanied by a loss of white matter (myelin).

Studying tiny ‘live’ models of the human brain has helped researchers understand its ageing and find a key to potential treatments neurodegenerative diseases.

Using ‘live’ brain models in hunt for Alzheimer’s treatment

Published on: 2 November 2021

Studying tiny ‘live’ models of the human brain has helped researchers understand its ageing and find a key to potential treatments neurodegenerative diseases.

‘Anti-ageing’ effect promising for Alzheimer’s treatment

Published on: 3 September 2021

Researchers studying ageing in tiny ‘live’ models of the human brain have found a key to potential treatments for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Overcoming the 'trial and error' in epilepsy treatment

Published on: 30 July 2021

Improving a “trial-and-error approach’’ to epilepsy treatment is the aim of research that encompasses stem cells, artificial intelligence, brain organoids and drug screening.

Pre-clinical studies to decipher the causes of, and treatments for MND

April 2012–December 2025

MetFlex: safety and tolerability of trimetazidine in ALS

January 2020–December 2023

AIBN researcher wins 2020 Georgina Sweet Award

Published on: 13 October 2020

AIBN researcher Associate Professor Jessica Mar has received a 2020 Georgina Sweet Award for Women in Quantitative Biomedical Science. The award was given to Assoc Professor Mar for both Excellence in Research and Excellence in Inclusivity.

Unhealthy gut may be good for MND patients

Published on: 28 August 2020

A healthy gut might be impacting the longevity of people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), according to new research from The University of Queensland.