Profiles
Robert Gasperini
Robert Gasperini
Research Fellow
Menzies Institute for Medical Research / School of Medicine
Room 440-06 , Medical Science 2 (MS2)
+61362264764 (phone)
Dr Gasperini completed his PhD in 2008. During this time he examined the calcium dynamics in neuronal growth cones during axon navigation. He developed cutting edge assays such as the growth cone turning assay and calcium imaging to elucidate the signalling mechanisms used in axon pathfinding. He has a H-index of 9.7, having published 13 peer reviewed research papers and 2 book chapters in his postdoctoral career. As an early career researcher Dr Gasperini obtained independent research funding from Alzheimer's Australia to carry out his postdoctoral research at the University of Tasmania, in Prof David Small's neurodegeneration research group. During this time, he developed and refined imaging protocols needed to monitor early changes in neuronal calcium homeostasis after amyloid protein attack and the neurodegenerative changes seen in Alzheimer's disease. Dr Gasperini was also instrumental in establishing a high resolution live-cell imaging facility at the University of Tasmania, developing and using FRET and optimising live cell imaging techniques used by a variety of research groups. These technically challenging imaging techniques now form much of the ion imaging expertise routinely used at the Menzies Institute of Medical Research (MIMR).
Biography
Since 2012, Dr Gasperini has been collaborating closely with Dr Young (Menzies) examining the development of oligodendrocytes in the mammalian brain and the role they play in adult myelin plasticity. He has also developed a collaboration with Dr Lisa Foa at the School of Medicine, examining the calcium signalling mechanisms correlated with axon targeting and synaptogenesis during development of the zebrafish nervous system. These collaborations have allowed Dr Gasperini to establish a mammalian cell electrophysiology facility, which is now in place and operational within the Institute. Dr Gasperini is now using his expertise in neuronal calcium homeostasis and synapse biology to investigate how synaptogenesis occurs in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). His focus and experimental paradigm is directed towards understanding the role of calcium signalling machinery, especially the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and synaptic activity during OPC myelination. Dr Gasperini previously received training and experience at Cold Spring Harbor Labs (NY, USA) and with Dr Dan Feldman's laboratory ( Berkeley, UCa, USA).
Career summary
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Tasmania, Australia. 2008 Thesis: Homer, TRP and Calcium: The signalling triad of growth cone motility
- MSc, Deakin University, Australia. 1995 Thesis: Androgenic activity of cerebellar astrocytes
- BSc, RMIT University, Australia. 1988
Memberships
Professional practice
- Australasian Neuroscience Society
- Society for Neuroscience
Teaching
Human Biology, Neuroscience, Biophysics, Pathophysiology
Research Appointments
- National Council member , Australian Neuroscience Society (2009-2012)
- Postdoctoral Research Reference Group, NH&MRC (2012-present)
View more on Dr Rob Gasperini in WARP
Expertise
Since graduating, Dr Gasperini has published extensively (13 peer reviewed publications and 2 book chapters) giving him a h-index of 9.7. This productive area of research led him to take up his first post-doctoral position with a senior researcher at MRIT, Prof. David Small, a molecular neuroscientist with an international reputation in the field of amyloid degeneration. This collaboration was particularly productive and allowed Dr Gasperini and Prof Small to explore new research directions into the causes of significant degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Dr Gasperini's expertise was particularly significant as evidenced by the number of publications produced during this time focusing on calcium signalling in these diseases. Dr Gasperini is now using his expertise in neuronal calcium homeostasis and synapse biology to investigate how synaptogenesis occurs in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC). His particular interest lies with understanding the role of calcium signaling machinery, especially the endoplasmic reticulum, in development and neurodegeneration. Dr Gasperini and Dr Young have worked together to attract significant funding to enhance the functionality of the Molecular Imaging Unit by installing electrophysiology or patch-clamp recording instrument.
Research Themes
Dr Gasperini's research in the areas of neurodegeneration and neuroplasticity align's with the university research theme of Better Health.
Collaboration
- Drs Marla Feller and Dan Feldman, UCa at Berkeley, USA
- Dr Thomas Fath, University of NSW, Australia
- Assoc Prof Jennifer Rodger, UWA, Australia
Awards
Dr Gasperini obtained an Alzheimers Australia Post-doctoral fellowship, $90K for two years, as well as seed funding from Alzheimers Australia (Hunter fellowship, $25K) to pursue calcium dysregulation experiments in an in-vivo mouse model of neurodegeneration. In 2007 he was awarded the Sir Grafton Elliot Smith Award at the Australian Neuroscience Society annual conference and International Brain Research Organisation Biennial Conference (IBRO). Melbourne, Australia, as well as the Postgraduate Student Award from the Australian Society of Medical Research, Tasmania, acknowledging the quality of published papers from his PhD work.
Fields of Research
- Cellular nervous system (320902)
- Neurosciences (320999)
- Central nervous system (320903)
- Peripheral nervous system (320906)
- Gene mapping (310506)
- Neurology and neuromuscular diseases (320905)
- Cell neurochemistry (310104)
- Sensory systems (320907)
- Signal transduction (310111)
- Bioinformatic methods development (310201)
- Genetics (310599)
- Ophthalmology (321201)
- Endocrinology (320208)
- Receptors and membrane biology (310110)
- Cell development, proliferation and death (310102)
- Nutritional science (321004)
- Medical physiology (320899)
- Cognitive neuroscience (520203)
Research Objectives
- Clinical health (200199)
- Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
- Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences (280103)
- Expanding knowledge in the health sciences (280112)
- Treatment of human diseases and conditions (200105)
- Mental health (200409)
- Other health (209999)
Publications
Total publications
52
Journal Article
(32 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Zhen Y, Cullen CL, Ricci R, Summers BS, Rehman S, et al., 'Protocadherin 15 suppresses oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation and promotes motility through distinct signalling pathways', Communications Biology, 5, (1) Article 511. ISSN 2399-3642 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03470-1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Cullen CL; Ricci R; Summers BS; Young KM | |
| 2021 | Jones JL, Corbett MA, Yeaman E, Zhao D, Gecz J, et al., 'A 127 kb truncating deletion of PGRMC1 is a novel cause of X-linked isolated paediatric cataract', European Journal of Human Genetics ISSN 1018-4813 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00889-8 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Jones JL; Yeaman E; Charlesworth JC; Burdon KP | |
| 2021 | Zhao D, Jones JL, Gasperini RJ, Charlesworth JC, Liu G-S, et al., 'Rapid and efficient cataract gene evaluation in F0 zebrafish using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes', Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology ISSN 1046-2023 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.12.004 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Jones JL; Charlesworth JC; Liu G-S; Burdon KP | |
| 2020 | Cullen CL, O'Rourke M, Beasley SJ, Auderset L, Zhen Y, et al., 'Kif3a deletion prevents primary cilia assembly on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, reduces oligodendrogenesis and impairs fine motor function', Glia pp. 1-20. ISSN 0894-1491 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/glia.23957 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: Cullen CL; O'Rourke M; Beasley SJ; Auderset L; Pepper RE; Young KM | |
| 2020 | Vicenzi S, Foa L, Gasperini RJ, 'Serotonin functions as a bidirectional guidance molecule regulating growth cone motility', Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 78, (5) pp. 2247-2262. ISSN 1420-9071 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03628-2 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Vicenzi S; Foa L | |
| 2019 | Pavez M, Thompson AC, Arnott HJ, Mitchell CB, D'Atri I, et al., 'STIM1 is required for remodeling of the endoplasmic reticulum and microtubule cytoskeleton in steering growth cones', Journal of Neuroscience, 39, (26) pp. 5095-5114. ISSN 0270-6474 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2496-18.2019 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 29Web of Science - 27 Co-authors: Pavez M; Thompson AC; Arnott HJ; Lin JY; Young KM; Foa L | |
| 2017 | Gasperini RJ, Pavez MP, Thompson AC, Mitchell Camila, Hardy H, et al., 'How does calcium interact with the cytoskeleton to regulate growth cone motility during axon pathfinding?', Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences, 84 pp. 29-35. ISSN 1044-7431 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.07.006 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 46Web of Science - 42 Co-authors: Pavez MP; Thompson AC; Young KM; Foa L | |
| 2017 | Premilovac D, Gasperini RJ, Sawyer S, West A, Keske M, et al., 'A New Method for Targeted and Sustained Induction of Type 2 Diabetes in Rodents', Scientific Reports, 7 Article 14158. ISSN 2045-2322 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14114-4 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 18Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Premilovac D; Sawyer S; West A; Keske M; Taylor BV; Foa L | |
| 2015 | Brizuela MD, Blizzard CA, Chuckowree JA, Dawkins E, Gasperini RJ, et al., 'The microtubule-stabilizing drug Epothilone D increases axonal sprouting following transection injury in vitro', Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences, 66, (Part B) pp. 129-140. ISSN 1044-7431 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.02.006 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 32Web of Science - 31 Co-authors: Brizuela MD; Blizzard CA; Chuckowree JA; Dawkins E; Young KM; Dickson TC | |
| 2015 | Landowski LM, Pavez MP, Brown LS, Gasperini R, Taylor BV, et al., 'Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins in a novel mechanism of axon guidance and peripheral nerve regeneration', Journal of Biological Chemistry, 291, (3) pp. 1092-1102.. ISSN 1083-351X (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M115.668996 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 23Web of Science - 23 Co-authors: Landowski LM; Pavez MP; Brown LS; Taylor BV; West AK; Foa L | |
| 2014 | Dawkins E, Gasperini R, Hu Y, Cui H, Vincent AJ, et al., 'The N-terminal fragment of the β-amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease (N-APP) binds to phosphoinositide-rich domains on the surface of hippocampal neurons', Journal of Neuroscience Research, 92, (11) pp. 1478-1489. ISSN 1097-4547 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23422 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Dawkins E; Hu Y; Cui H; Vincent AJ; Bolos M; Young KM; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2014 | O'Rourke ME, Gasperini R, Young KM, 'Adult myelination: wrapping up neuronal plasticity', Neural Regeneration Research, 9, (13) pp. 1261-1264. ISSN 1673-5374 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.137571 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 28Web of Science - 28 Co-authors: O'Rourke ME; Young KM | |
| 2013 | Shao YR, Isett BR, Miyashita T, Chung J, Pourzia O, et al., 'Plasticity of Recurrent L2/3 Inhibition and Gamma Oscillations by Whisker Experience', Neuron, 80, (1) pp. 210-222. ISSN 0896-6273 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.07.026 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 26Web of Science - 25 | |
| 2012 | Gasperini RJ, Small DH, 'Neurodegeneration in Familal Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy', Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 39, (8) pp. 680-683. ISSN 0305-1870 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05607.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Small DH | |
| 2012 | Mitchell CB, Gasperini RJ, Small DH, Foa LC, 'STIM1 is necessary for store-operated calcium entry in turning growth cones', Journal of Neurochemistry, 122, (6) pp. 1155-66. ISSN 0022-3042 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07840.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 38Web of Science - 38 Co-authors: Small DH; Foa LC | |
| 2011 | Gasperini RJ, Hou X, Parkington H, Coleman H, Klaver DW, et al., 'TRPM8 and Nav 1.8 sodium channels are required for transthyretin-induced calcium influx in growth cones of small-diameter TrkA-positive sensory neurons', Molecular Neurodegeneration, 6, (19) pp. 1-12. ISSN 1750-1326 (2011) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-6-19 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 22Web of Science - 17 Co-authors: Klaver DW; Vincent AJ; Foa LC; Small DH | |
| 2010 | Kerr ML, Gasperini R, Gibbs ME, Hou X, Shepherd CE, et al., 'Inhibition of Aβ aggregation and neurotoxicity by the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein', Journal of Neurochemistry, 112, (5) pp. 1199-1209. ISSN 0022-3042 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06540.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2010 | Klaver D, Hung AC, Gasperini R, Foa L, Aguilar MI, et al., 'Effect of Heparin on APP Metabolism and Aβ Production in Cortical Neurons', Neurodegenerative Diseases, 7, (1-3) pp. 187-189. ISSN 1660-2854 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1159/000295661 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 9 Co-authors: Klaver D; Hung AC; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2010 | Klaver DW, Wilce MCJ, Cui H, Hung AC, Gasperini R, et al., 'Is BACE1 a suitable therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease? Current strategies and future directions', Biological Chemistry: Official Journal of The German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 391, (8) pp. 849-859. ISSN 1431-6730 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1515/BC.2010.089 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 38Web of Science - 33 Co-authors: Klaver DW; Cui H; Hung AC; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2010 | Klaver DW, Wilce MCJ, Gasperini R, Freeman C, Juliano JP, et al., 'Glycosaminoglycan-induced activation of the β-secretase (BACE1) of Alzheimer's disease', Journal of Neurochemistry, 112, (6) pp. 1552-1561. ISSN 0022-3042 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06571.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 21Web of Science - 20 Co-authors: Klaver DW; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2010 | Liu SJ, Gasperini R, Foa L, Small DH, 'Amyloid-beta Decreases Cell-Surface AMPA Receptors by Increasing Intracellular Calcium and Phosphorylation of GluR2', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 21, (2) pp. 655-666. ISSN 1387-2877 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2010-091654 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 60Web of Science - 58 Co-authors: Liu SJ; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2010 | Staal JA, Dickson TC, Gasperini R, Liu Y, Foa L, et al., 'Initial calcium release from intracellular stores followed by calcium dysregulation is linked to secondary axotomy following transient axonal stretch injury', Journal of Neurochemistry, 112, (5) pp. 1147-1155. ISSN 0022-3042 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06531.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 83Web of Science - 73 Co-authors: Staal JA; Dickson TC; Liu Y; Foa L; Vickers JC | |
| 2010 | Vincent AJ, Gasperini R, Foa L, Small DH, 'Astrocytes in Alzheimer's Disease: Emerging Roles in Calcium Dysregulation and Synaptic Plasticity', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 22, (3) pp. 699-714. ISSN 1387-2877 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2010-101089 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 65Web of Science - 63 Co-authors: Vincent AJ; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2009 | Foa LC, Gasperini RJ, 'Developmental roles for Homer: more than just a pretty scaffold', Journal of Neurochemistry, 108, (1) pp. 1-10. ISSN 0022-3042 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05726.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 37Web of Science - 34 Co-authors: Foa LC | |
| 2009 | Gasperini RJ, Choi-Lundberg DL, Thompson MJW, Mitchell CB, Foa LC, 'Homer regulates calcium signalling in growth cone turning', Neural Development, 4, (1) pp. 1-19. ISSN 1749-8104 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/1749-8104-4-29 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 33Web of Science - 30 Co-authors: Choi-Lundberg DL; Thompson MJW; Mitchell CB; Foa LC | |
| 2009 | Small DH, Gasperini R, Vincent AJ, Hung AC, Foa L, 'The Role of Aβ-Induced Calcium Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 16, (2) pp. 225-233. ISSN 1387-2877 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-0951 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 67Web of Science - 62 Co-authors: Small DH; Vincent AJ; Hung AC; Foa L | |
| 2005 | Foa LC, Jensen K, Rajan I, Bronson K, Gasperini RJ, et al., 'Homer expression in the Xenopus tadpole nervous system', Journal of Comparative Neurology, 487, (1) pp. 42-53. ISSN 0021-9967 (2005) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/cne.20496 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 9 Co-authors: Foa LC | |
| 2005 | Gasperini RJ, Foa LC, 'Homer 1b/c expression correlates with zebrafish olfactory system development', Journal of Neurocytology, 33, (6) pp. 671-680. ISSN 0300-4864 (2005) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11068-005-3335-x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Foa LC | |
| 2000 | Teeter K, Naeemuddin M, Gasperini RJ, Zimmerman E, White KP, et al., 'Haplotype dimorphism in a SNP collection from Drosophila melanogaster', Journal of Experimental Zoology, 288, (1) pp. 63-75. ISSN 0022-104X (2000) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-010X(20000415)288:1<63::AID-JEZ7>3.0.CO;2-1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 30 | |
| 1999 | Gasperini RJ, Gibson G, 'Absence of protein polymorphism in the Ras genes of Drosophila melanogaster', Journal of Molecular Evolution, 49, (5) pp. 583-590. ISSN 0022-2844 (1999) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/PL00006579 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 19Web of Science - 18 | |
| 1998 | Polaczyk P, Gasperini RJ, Gibson G, 'Naturally occurring genetic variation affects Drosophila photoreceptor determination', Development Genes and Evolution, 207, (7) pp. 462-470. ISSN 0949-944X (1998) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s004270050137 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 61Web of Science - 57 | |
| 1989 | Gasperini RJ, 'Using Lotus 1-2-3 to determine correlation of linearly related method comparison data', Computing Applications in the Biosciences, 5, (1) pp. 56-57. ISSN 0266-7061 (1989) [Refereed Article] Citations: Web of Science - 3 |
Chapter in Book
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Gasperini RJ, Foa L, 'Methods in neuronal growth cone biology', TRP Channels in Drug Discovery. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Humana Press, T Biro & A Szallasi (ed), New York, pp. 239-252. ISBN 978-1-62703-094-6 (2012) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-095-3 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Foa L | |
| 2012 | Gasperini RJ, Klaver DW, Hou X, Aguilar MI, Small DH, 'Mechanisms of Transthyretin Aggregation and Toxicity', Protein Aggregation and Fibrillogenesis in Cerebral and Systematic Amyloid Disease, Subcellular Biochemistry 65, Springer, JR Harris (ed), Dordrecht, pp. 211-224. ISBN 978-94-007-5415-7 (2012) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5416-4_9 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 10 Co-authors: Small DH |
Conference Publication
(18 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Landowski LM, Pavez MP, Gasperini RJ, Taylor BVM, West AK, et al., 'Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins guide navigating PNS axons', 2015 PNS Meeting, 28 June - 2 July, 2015, Quebec City, Canada (2015) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Landowski LM; Pavez MP; Taylor BVM; West AK; Foa LC | |
| 2014 | Landowski L, Pavez MP, Gasperini R, Taylor BV, West AK, et al., 'LRP receptors in a novel mechanism of axon pathfinding and peripheral nerve regeneration', Proceedings of Neuroscience 2014, 15-19 November 2015, Washington DC (2014) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Landowski L; Pavez MP; Taylor BV; West AK; Foa L | |
| 2013 | Dawkins E, Vincent AJ, Gasperini R, Cui H, Young K, et al., 'A direct interaction of Aβ with anionic cellular lipids mediates binding to neurons (Poster)', 12th International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, Florence, Italy (2013) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Dawkins E; Vincent AJ; Cui H; Young K; Foa L; Small DH | |
| 2012 | Dawkins EA, Gasperini R, Vincent AJ, Foa LC, Small DH, 'Analysis of Aβ cell interactions and uptake in hippocampal culture', Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, 29 January - 1 February 2012, Gold Coast, Australia, pp. 34. (2012) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Dawkins EA; Vincent AJ; Foa LC; Small DH | |
| 2012 | Landowski LM, Gasperini RJ, Taylor BVM, West AK, Foa LC, 'Metallothionein I/II induces growth cone chemotaxis via an LRP 1 and LRP 2 dependent mechanism', Neuroscience 2012, 13-17 October, 2012, New Orleans, Louisiana (2012) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Landowski LM; Taylor BVM; West AK; Foa LC | |
| 2012 | Landowski LM, Gasperini RJ, Taylor BVM, West AK, Foa LC, 'Metallothionein I/II induces growth cone chemotaxis via an LRP 1 and LRP 2 dependent mechanism', Neuroscience 2012, 13-17 October, 2012, New Orleans, Louisiana (2012) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Landowski LM; Taylor BVM; West AK; Foa LC | |
| 2011 | Hadrill CE, Gasperini RJ, Dickson TC, Foa LC, Small DH, 'Regulation of the cell adhesion molecule, L1CAM by the Aβ peptide of Alzheimer's Disease', Australian Neuroscience Society 31st Annual Meeting, 31 Jan - 3 Feb, Auckland, New Zealand (2011) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Hadrill CE; Dickson TC; Foa LC; Small DH | |
| 2011 | Hoang T, Gasperini RJ, Cui H, Shepherd CE, Strickland DK, et al., 'Interaction of the receptor-associated protein (RAP) with APP and Aβ', Australian Neuroscience Society 31st Annual Meeting, 31 Jan - 3 Feb, Auckland, New Zealand (2011) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Hoang T; Cui H; Foa LC; Small DH | |
| 2011 | Landowski LM, Gasperini RJ, Small DH, Taylor BVM, West AK, et al., 'Metallothionein I/II and metallothionein III induce growth cone chemotaxis via disparate mechanisms', Australian Neuroscience Society 31st Annual Meeting, 31 Jan - 3 Feb, Auckland, New Zealand (2011) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Landowski LM; Small DH; Taylor BVM; West AK; Foa LC | |
| 2011 | Mitchell C, Gasperini RJ, Small DH, Foa LC, 'STIM1 is necessary for regulation of growth cone motility', Australian Neuroscience Society 31st Annual Meeting, 31 Jan - 3 Feb, Auckland, New Zealand (2011) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Small DH; Foa LC | |
| 2011 | Small DH, Klaver D, Liu S, Cui H, Hoang T, et al., 'Disruption of protein trafficking in Alzheimer's Disease: APP, Aβ and AMPA receptors', Australian Neuroscience Society 31st Annual Meeting, 31 Jan - 3 Feb, Auckland, New Zealand (2011) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Small DH; Klaver D; Liu S; Cui H; Hoang T; Foa LC | |
| 2009 | Gasperini RJ, Thompson M, Foa LC, 'Homer1 expression in the growth cone: regulating calcium homeostasis', Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, 27-30 January 2009, Canberra, pp. 45. (2009) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Thompson M; Foa LC | |
| 2009 | Mitchell CB, Gasperini RJ, Foa LC, 'Homer and store operated calcium entry in growth cone motility', Spinal Cord Research Symposium, Queensland Brain Institute, pp. 8. (2009) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Mitchell CB; Foa LC | |
| 2009 | Vickers JC, Staal JA, Gasperini RJ, Foa LC, Liu Y, et al., 'Axonal stretch injury in vitro results in initial release of calcium from intracellular stores, prolonged calcium mismetabolism and secondary degeneration', Society for Neuroscience, 17-21 Oct, Chicago, pp. 214.2. (2009) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Vickers JC; Staal JA; Foa LC; Liu Y; Dickson TC | |
| 2008 | Gasperini RJ, Thompson MJW, Foa LC, 'Homer1 is necessary for maintaining calcium homeostasis in the growth cone', 2nd Brain Plasticity Symposium, 9-12 September 2008, Brisbane, pp. 16. (2008) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Thompson MJW; Foa LC | |
| 2007 | Gasperini RJ, Foa LC, 'Homer is a key regulator of calcium dynamics in motile growth cones', 7th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience, 12-17 July 2007, Melbourne, pp. 355. (2007) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Foa LC | |
| 2006 | Gasperini RJ, Foa LC, 'Homer is a molecular correlate of growth cone turning', Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, 31 Jan - 3 Feb 2006, Sydney, pp. 37. ISSN 1034-3237 (2006) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Foa LC | |
| 2005 | Gasperini RJ, Foa LC, 'Homer expression and early sensory circuit development in the zebrafish', Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, 30 Jan - 2 Feb 2005, Perth, pp. 57. ISSN 1034-3237 (2005) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Foa LC |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
9
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Defects in the connections between nerve cells underpin many developmental disorders such as autism and mental retardation. Furthermore, defects in re-establishing nerve cell connections prevents successful regeneration after disease or trauma. Calcium is vital to nerve cells, especially as they grow and connect. This project will develop novel light-activated tools to manipulate calcium signals to control nerve cell growth and connectivity and enhance nerve regeneration.
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($432,127)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Foa LC; Lin J; Gasperini RJ
- Period
- 2019 - 2021
- Grant Reference
- 1165616
- Description
- This is a basic Neuroscience project that will examine the signaling function of the scaffold protein Homer in developing neurons and how Homer1 regulates calcium signaling from the ER.
- Funding
- The Trustee for Australian Philanthropic Services Foundation Limited ($43,224)
- Scheme
- Donation - Individual
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Foa LC; Gasperini RJ; Pavez MP
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- The intricate circuitry of the nervous system begins as developing neurons extend axons toconnect with their target cells, in a process known as axon guidance. Defects in axon guidanceunderpin a range of developmental disorders including autism and mental retardation. Inaddition, accurate axon guidance is required for successful regeneration. The distal tip of theextending axon, the growth cone is highly motile as it navigates the surrounding environment.This motility is essentially a consequence of calcium signals that control the growth conecytoskeleton. Manipulating calcium signaling to control the cytoskeleton and subsequentgrowth cone motility will provide novel insights for directing axon growth in vivo, to controlcircuit development and regeneration.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($24,600)
- Scheme
- Grant- Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Foa LC; Lin J; Gasperini RJ
- Year
- 2018
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($358,447)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Foa LC; West AK; Gasperini RJ
- Period
- 2014 - 2016
- Grant Reference
- 1068317
- Description
- Oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) and oligodendrocyte damage contribute significantly to the mental and physical impairmentsseen in periventricular leukomalacia (pre and postnatal white matter injury leading to cerebral palsy), spinal cord injury, CNS inflammation, multiple sclerosis and stroke (see background). We have previously demonstrated that new oligodendrocytes are continuously born and added to the central nervous system (CNS), formed from resident OPCs (Rivers*, Young* et al., 2008; Psachoulia et al., 2009; Clarke*, Young* et al., 2012), and that these OPCs have a significant capacity for generating larger numbers of oligodendrocytes in response to a demyelinating injury (Tripathi et al., 2010; Zawadzka et al., 2010).However this endogenous repair system will need to be therapeutically enhanced in order achieve efficacious repair, as many of the newborn OPCs remain in an immature state and fail to differentiate into mature, myelinating oligodendrocytes (Tripathi et al., 2010). There is a body of evidence demonstrating that electrical activity from neurons to OPCs (synaptic and extrasynaptic) in the form of glutamate, GABA and ATP signalling, instructs OPC proliferation, migration, differentiation and myelination (see background). Furthermore, neuronal activity induces an intracellular calcium signal in OPC that instructs the local translation of myelin proteins (Wake et al., 2011). By combining Dr Young's expertise in OPC biology, Dr Foa's expertise in calcium signalling and Dr Gasperini's expertise in synapse biochemistry, we aim to identify key regulators in the pathway coupling neuronal electrical transmission with OPC intracellular calcium signalling, and subsequently OPC differentiation, in a bid to identify therapeutic targets that will increase axon-OPC connectivity,oligodendrocyte differentiation, survival and myelination for the treatment of de/dysmyelinating disorders.
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($589,583)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Young K; Foa LC; Gasperini RJ
- Period
- 2014 - 2016
- Grant Reference
- 1066025
- Funding
- The Select Foundation ($5,502)
- Scheme
- Grant-Small Grants Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Dawkins EAH; Gasperini RJ; Vincent AJ
- Year
- 2012
- Funding
- The Select Foundation ($4,800)
- Scheme
- Grant-Small Grants Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Gasperini RJ; Mitchell C; Foa LC
- Year
- 2012
- Funding
- Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd ($90,000)
- Scheme
- Fellowship-Postdoctoral Fellowship in Dementia
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Gasperini RJ
- Period
- 2011 - 2012
- Funding
- Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd ($22,048)
- Scheme
- Grant-Seeding
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Vincent AJ; Gasperini RJ
- Year
- 2011
Research Supervision
Current
1
Completed
12
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | An Investigation on the Function of a Rare Homer1 Mutation in Synaptogenesis | 2018 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Activating Specific Calcium Signals to Control Axon Growth In Vivo Candidate: Hayden James Arnott | 2022 |
| PhD | Deciphering the Role of Serotonin in Brain Circuit Formation Candidate: Silvia Vicenzi | 2021 |
| PhD | Protocadherin 15 Modulates Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Contact-mediated Self-repulsion Through Two Distinct Signalling Pathways Candidate: Yilan Zhen | 2020 |
| PhD | Optogenetic Manipulation of Calcineurin Signalling Candidate: Elise Joanna Devenish | 2019 |
| PhD | Conditionally and Acutely Ablating Kif3a from Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells Impairs Primary Cilum Assembly and Cell Function Candidate: Megan Elizabeth O'Rourke | 2018 |
| PhD | STIM1 Regulates Spatiotemporal Calcium Signals and the Cytoskeleton in Motile Growth Cones Candidate: Macarena Patricia Pavez | 2018 |
| PhD | Deciphering the Role of STIM1 in Nervous System Development Candidate: Adrian Colin Thompson | 2017 |
| PhD | Towards Understanding the Mechanism of Clioquinol Neurotoxicity Candidate: Jamuna Chhetri | 2017 |
| Masters | Role of Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Proteins (LPRs) in Directing Neuronal Biology Candidate: Rosalind Peta Herbert | 2014 |
| PhD | Role of Phosphoinositides in the Biology of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Candidate: Edgar Adam Henry Dawkins | 2014 |
| PhD | STIM1 Mediates Multiple Signalling Pathways in Neuronal Growth Cones Candidate: Camilla Bessie Mitchell | 2013 |
| Masters | Role of the 39-kDa Receptor-Associated Protein (RAP) in Alzheimer's Disease Candidate: Thanh Hoang | 2012 |