Leading neuroscientist joins UQ

Internationally renowned neuroscientist and brain stem cell researcher Professor Perry Bartlett has accepted a senior post at The University of Queensland.

Professor Bartlett has been appointed Foundation Chair in Molecular Neuroscience. In this role, he will continue his groundbreaking research into the characteristics and function of stem cells that reside in the adult brain.

This research could ultimately provide the key to repairing damaged or diseased nerve cells and resolve questions of how memory and learning are regulated by nerve replacement.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said Professor Bartlett’s appointment would add to the University’s growing status as a hub for significant bioscience research.

“Queensland has not only slowed the loss of talent interstate and overseas, we are now attracting globally-important researchers who want to be part of what is happening here,” he said.

“I am confident this trend will continue as we complete a series of world class research infrastructure projects over the next few years.”

Professor Bartlett has published more than 170 papers in science and medical journals, mostly in the area of developmental neuroscience.

His laboratory’s work verifying the existence of adult brain stem cells was featured last year on the front cover of the prestigious journal, Nature.

This research also demonstrated the existence of a single, predominant stem cell in the brain with the capacity to produce a variety of cell types.

“We are exploring some very exciting possibilities using the existing stem cells within the brain to create replacements for damaged nerve cells,” Professor Bartlett said.

“It is now clear that the brain is a highly plastic organ with the ability to undergo rapid changes in neural circuitry at the anatomical, cellular and molecular level.

“The second part of our work is determining how to keep nerve cells alive.

“We have discovered one of the major molecular processes regulating the death of neurons, which should have future application in the treatment of ailments such as stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neuron Disease.”

Professor Bartlett is currently Head of the Development and Neurobiology Group at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Victoria.

Media: for more information contact Shane Rodgers (3365 6060 or 0413 458317) or Peter McCutcheon (3365 1088 or 0413 380012) at UQ Communications.