motor neurone disease and neurotrophic research laboratory

The Diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is devastating. How can we halt the progress of MND?

Our research revolves around discovery and development of non-invasive biomarkers for MND that can be used to determine if treatments are working in clinical trials (or not). We are also asking fundamental questions about how MND starts.

OUR RESEARCH

We are investigating molecules in urine that can be used as “biomarkers” for MND. In another project we are looking at endogenous retrovirus as a cause of MND

Research projects

Some of our current projects include:

Validating urinary p75^ECD as a pharmacodynamic biomarker in MND and those with pre familial MND.
Measuring urinary neopterin in MND and other related conditions as a predictive biomarker for MND.
Identifying, quantifying and describing new urinary protein and metabolomic biomarkers for MND.
Understanding how human endogenous retrovirus is involved in MND pathogenesis.

Resources

FHMRI biomarker collective

GROUP MEMBERS

Associate Professor Mary Louise-Rogers

Since 2011, Assoc Prof Rogers has led a research team that has developed global strategies for monitoring motor neuron disease (MND) in clinical trials and describing the cause of MND. Her focus on urinary biomarkers is unique. Her leadership in Australian MND Research is shown by being appointed Chair of the Australian MND Collective: Research Driving Team (2021-). I am also a strong advocate for South Australians living with MND. This is shown by my being an active board member of the philanthropic MND South Australia (from 2018).

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Dr Stephanie Shepheard

Stephanie completed BSc Hon (1^st class), PhD (Vice Chancellors Thesis Excellence Award 2015) all in the MND and NR laboratory, before moving to the UK, where she furthered her biomarker skills at the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) with Prof Dame Pamela Shaw (2016-2019). Stephanie re-joined the MNDNR lab in 2020 and is passionate about biomarkers and the intersection of basic research and clinical trials.

Ms Danielle Renfrey

Dani is a happy Research Assistant who keeps the lab functioning like clockwork

Mrs Megan Dubowsky

Megan is a PhD Student, focusing on the cause of MND. She completed her BMSc (1^st class) in the MNDRA lab in 2018. She not only has a Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, but also holds the MND Research Australia Top-up Scholarship.

Mr Vassilios Karnaros

Vasslios (Billy) is a PhD student focusing on measuring urinary metabolomic biomarkers for MND.

WORK WITH US

Get in touch to know more about our MND research or to join the lab! We are always keen to hear from interested and enthusiastic PhD, Masters and Honours students.