Profiles
Duncan Sinclair
Duncan Sinclair
Senior Lecturer
Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre
Room Room 417J (Level 4) , Medical Science 1
+61 3 6226 6973 (phone)
Dr Duncan Sinclair is a senior lecturer in the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. He was previously a National Health and Medical Research Council CJ Martin ECR Fellow (2014-2017). Duncan’s work focusses on the molecular, cellular, genetic and lifestyle factors which determine how people respond to stress as they age, and how these factors influence the emergence and progression of dementia.
Biography
Duncan has a BSc (Hons I) from the University of Technology, Sydney and a PhD in psychiatry from the University of New South Wales. After completing his PhD he worked in postdoctoral positions at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, USA) and Neuroscience Research Australia (Sydney) focusing on the neurobiology of stress in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome. Since moving to Tasmania to join the Wicking Centre in 2017 he has worked on understanding the links between life stress and dementia while teaching in the Bachelor of Dementia Care degree.
Career summary
Qualifications
PhD
Molecular stress signalling in human psychiatric illness and cortical development
University of New South Wales, Australia
26/3/2012
BSc (Hons class 1)
University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
30/11/2003
Languages (other than English)
Conversational Spanish
Memberships
Professional practice
Society for Neuroscience
Administrative expertise
Graduate Research Coordinator, Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre
Member, UTAS institutional biosafety committee
Teaching
Teaching expertise
Unit coordinator for various units within the Bachelor of Dementia Care, including CAD004 (Neurospeak- Understanding the Nervous System) and CAD304 (Negotiated Project in Dementia).
Research Appointments
NHMRC CJ Martin ECR Fellow (2014-2017)
View more on Dr Duncan Sinclair in WARP
Expertise
- Molecular assays (gene expression, proteomics, molecular signalling)
- In vitro cell culture of human and non-human primary cells and cell lines
- Animal models of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders- mouse behaviour and electroencephalography
Research Themes
Stressful experiences, including acute trauma and chronic stress, are inescapable in modern life and result in changes to the brain which mirror those seen in dementia. Life stress can increase risk for dementia and elevated levels of stress hormones are a feature of some types of dementia, yet the roles of stress in the emergence and progression of dementia are not understood. Duncan works with human cultured cells, post-mortem tissues and volunteer participants to investigate how responses to life stress change with age and influence the structure and function of the brain. He is particularly interested in stress-related factors (molecular, cellular, genetic and lifestyle) which influence a person’s resilience, modify their risk of dementia, contribute to dementia pathology and could be targeted therapeutically to promote healthy aging.
A complete list of Duncan’s publications can be found here.
Current projects
- Mechanisms underpinning the impacts of stress on Alzheimer’s disease pathology. In this project, supported by Dementia Australia, we are investigating the reciprocal interactions between stress hormones and amyloid beta, a peptide which aggregates in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. We are using a range of in-vitro cell models including human neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells in collaboration with Dr Anthony Cook, and neural cells harvested from the olfactory neuroepithelium of adult donors in collaboration with Prof. Alan Mackay-Sim (Griffith University).
- Emergence of stress hormone abnormalities in a mouse model of amyloid pathology. In this project we are determining the age at which abnormal stress responsiveness and heightened stress hormone (corticosterone) levels emerge relative to amyloid accumulation in the brains of APP/PS1 mice.
- Health and resilience in the face of trauma. In this project, supported by at UTAS Community Engagement Grant, we are working alongside communities in Tasmania to explore the potential of a prospective longitudinal study of trauma exposure, resilience, health and aging. In this exploratory phase we are consulting with community members and groups to identify individual and community needs and develop a framework for co-design of a future study. This is a collaboration with researchers across UTAS including from the Australian Maritime College and the College of Science and Engineering.
Fields of Research
- Cellular nervous system (320902)
- Central nervous system (320903)
- Preventative health care (420605)
- Aged health care (420301)
- Neurosciences (320999)
- Population trends and policies (440305)
- Psychology of ageing (520106)
- Psychiatry (incl. psychotherapy) (320221)
- Mental health services (420313)
- Sensory systems (320907)
- Medical parasitology (320704)
- Human impacts of climate change and human adaptation (410103)
- Health services and systems (420399)
- Epidemiology (420299)
- Occupational and workplace health and safety (350505)
Research Objectives
- Clinical health (200199)
- Treatment of human diseases and conditions (200105)
- Health related to ageing (200502)
- Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) (200599)
- Mental health (200409)
- Expanding knowledge in the agricultural, food and veterinary sciences (280101)
- Structure, delivery and resourcing (230113)
- Climatological hazards (e.g. extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires) (190401)
- Professional development and adult education (160104)
- Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem) (190101)
Publications
A complete list of Duncan’s publications can be found here.
Total publications
40
Highlighted publications
(6 outputs)| Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Journal Article | Bartlett L, Brady JJR, Farrow M, Kim S, Bindoff A, et al., 'Change in modifiable dementia risk factors during COVID-19 lockdown: the experience of over 50s in Tasmania, Australia', Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 7, (1) pp. 1-11. ISSN 2352-8737 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12169 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Bartlett L; Brady JJR; Farrow M; Kim S; Bindoff A; Fair H; Vickers JC | |
| 2017 | Journal Article | Sinclair D, Featherstone R, Naschek M, Nam J, Du A, et al., 'GABA-B Agonist Baclofen Normalizes Auditory-Evoked Neural Oscillations and Behavioral Deficits in the Fmr1 Knockout Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome', eNeuro, 4, (1) pp. 1-13. ISSN 2373-2822 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0380-16.2017 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 50Web of Science - 47 | |
| 2017 | Journal Article | Sinclair D, Oranje B, Razak KA, Siegel SJ, Schmid S, 'Sensory processing in autism spectrum disorders and Fragile X syndrome - from the clinic to animal models', Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 76, (Part B) pp. 235-253. ISSN 0149-7634 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.029 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 78Web of Science - 82 | |
| 2014 | Journal Article | Sinclair D, Purves-Tyson TD, Allen KM, Weickert CS, 'Impacts of stress and sex hormones on dopamine neurotransmission in the adolescent brain', Psychopharmacology, 231, (8) pp. 1581-1599. ISSN 0033-3158 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3415-z [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 116Web of Science - 108 | |
| 2013 | Journal Article | Sinclair D, Fillman SG, Webster MJ, Weickert CS, 'Dysregulation of glucocorticoid receptor co-factors FKBP5, BAG1 and PTGES3 in prefrontal cortex in psychotic illness', Scientific reports, 3 pp. 1-10. ISSN 2045-2322 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/srep03539 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 56Web of Science - 54 | |
| 2011 | Journal Article | Sinclair D, Webster MJ, Wong J, Weickert CS, 'Dynamic molecular and anatomical changes in the glucocorticoid receptor in human cortical development', Molecular Psychiatry, 16, (5) pp. 504-515. ISSN 1359-4184 (2011) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/mp.2010.28 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 52Web of Science - 53 |
Journal Article
(24 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tran CH, Weickert CS, Weickert TW, Sinclair D, 'Early life stress alters expression of glucocorticoid stress response genes and trophic factor transcripts in the rodent basal ganglia', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, (10) ISSN 1422-0067 (2022) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2021 | Bartlett L, Brady JJR, Farrow M, Kim S, Bindoff A, et al., 'Change in modifiable dementia risk factors during COVID-19 lockdown: the experience of over 50s in Tasmania, Australia', Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 7, (1) pp. 1-11. ISSN 2352-8737 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12169 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Bartlett L; Brady JJR; Farrow M; Kim S; Bindoff A; Fair H; Vickers JC | |
| 2019 | Lee CH, Sinclair D, O'Donnell M, Galletly C, Liu D, et al., 'Transcriptional changes in the stress pathway are related to symptoms in schizophrenia and to mood in schizoaffective disorder', Schizophrenia Research, 213 pp. 87-95. ISSN 0920-9964 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.06.026 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 10Web of Science - 10 | |
| 2019 | Zieba J, Sinclair D, Sebree T, Bonn-Miller M, Gutterman D, et al., 'Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice via an FMRP-independent mechanism', Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 181 pp. 93-100. ISSN 0091-3057 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.002 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 18Web of Science - 19 | |
| 2018 | Olaya JC, Heusner CL, Matsumoto M, Sinclair D, Kondo MA, et al., 'Overexpression of Neuregulin 1 Type III Confers Hippocampal mRNA Alterations and Schizophrenia-Like Behaviors in Mice', Schizophrenia Bulletin, 44, (4) pp. 865-875. ISSN 0586-7614 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx122 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 4 | |
| 2017 | Glass LJ, Sinclair D, Boerrigter D, Naude K, Fung SJ, et al., 'Brain antibodies in the cortex and blood of people with schizophrenia and controls', Translational psychiatry, 7, (8) pp. 1-9. ISSN 2158-3188 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.134 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 13 | |
| 2017 | Sinclair D, Featherstone R, Naschek M, Nam J, Du A, et al., 'GABA-B Agonist Baclofen Normalizes Auditory-Evoked Neural Oscillations and Behavioral Deficits in the Fmr1 Knockout Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome', eNeuro, 4, (1) pp. 1-13. ISSN 2373-2822 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0380-16.2017 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 50Web of Science - 47 | |
| 2017 | Sinclair D, Oranje B, Razak KA, Siegel SJ, Schmid S, 'Sensory processing in autism spectrum disorders and Fragile X syndrome - from the clinic to animal models', Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 76, (Part B) pp. 235-253. ISSN 0149-7634 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.029 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 78Web of Science - 82 | |
| 2016 | Egbujo CN, Sinclair D, Hahn C-G, 'Dysregulations of synaptic vesicle trafficking in Schizophrenia', Current Psychiatry Reports, 18, (8) Article 77. ISSN 1523-3812 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11920-016-0710-5 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 39Web of Science - 35 | |
| 2016 | Sinclair D, Cesare J, McMullen M, Carlson GC, Hahn CG, et al., 'Effects of sex and DTNBP1 (dysbindin) null gene mutation on the developmental GluN2B-GluN2A switch in the mouse cortex and hippocampus', Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8 Article 14. ISSN 1866-1947 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9148-7 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 12 | |
| 2016 | Weickert CS, Webster MJ, Boerrigter D, Sinclair D, 'FKBP5 messenger RNA increases after adolescence in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex', Biological Psychiatry pp. 1-3. ISSN 0006-3223 (2016) [Letter or Note in Journal] DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.11.005 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 4 | |
| 2015 | Borgmann-Winter K, Willard SL, Sinclair D, Mirza N, Turetsky B, et al., 'Translational potential of olfactory mucosa for the study of neuropsychiatric illness', Translational psychiatry, 5 Article e527. ISSN 2158-3188 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.141 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 42Web of Science - 41 | |
| 2015 | Egbujo CN, Sinclair D, Borgmann-Winter KE, Arnold SE, Turetsky BI, et al., 'Molecular evidence for decreased synaptic efficacy in the postmortem olfactory bulb of individuals with schizophrenia', Schizophrenia Research, 168, (1-2) pp. 554-562. ISSN 0920-9964 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.07.026 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 14 | |
| 2014 | Fillman SG, Sinclair D, Fung SJ, Webster MJ, Weickert CS, 'Markers of inflammation and stress distinguish subsets of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder', Translational Psychiatry, 4 pp. 1-10. ISSN 2158-3188 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.8 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 132Web of Science - 123 | |
| 2014 | Sinclair D, Purves-Tyson TD, Allen KM, Weickert CS, 'Impacts of stress and sex hormones on dopamine neurotransmission in the adolescent brain', Psychopharmacology, 231, (8) pp. 1581-1599. ISSN 0033-3158 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3415-z [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 116Web of Science - 108 | |
| 2013 | Catts VS, Fung SJ, Long LE, Joshi D, Vercammen A, et al., 'Rethinking schizophrenia in the context of normal neurodevelopment', Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, 7 Article 60. ISSN 1662-5102 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00060 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 144Web of Science - 132 | |
| 2013 | Sinclair D, Fillman SG, Webster MJ, Weickert CS, 'Dysregulation of glucocorticoid receptor co-factors FKBP5, BAG1 and PTGES3 in prefrontal cortex in psychotic illness', Scientific reports, 3 pp. 1-10. ISSN 2045-2322 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/srep03539 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 56Web of Science - 54 | |
| 2012 | Sinclair D, Fullerton JM, Webster MJ, Shannon Weickert C, 'Glucocorticoid receptor 1B and 1C mRNA transcript alterations in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and their possible regulation by GR gene variants', PloS one, 7, (3) ISSN 1932-6203 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031720 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 52Web of Science - 48 | |
| 2012 | Sinclair D, Webster MJ, Fullerton JM, Weickert CS, 'Glucocorticoid receptor mRNA and protein isoform alterations in the orbitofrontal cortex in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder', BMC psychiatry ISSN 1471-244X (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/1471-244X-12-84 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 42Web of Science - 40 | |
| 2011 | Sinclair D, Tsai SY, Woon HG, Weickert CS, 'Abnormal glucocorticoid receptor mRNA and protein isoform expression in the prefrontal cortex in psychiatric illness', Neuropsychopharmacology, 36, (13) pp. 2698-2709. ISSN 0893-133X (2011) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.160 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 39Web of Science - 35 | |
| 2011 | Sinclair D, Webster MJ, Wong J, Weickert CS, 'Dynamic molecular and anatomical changes in the glucocorticoid receptor in human cortical development', Molecular Psychiatry, 16, (5) pp. 504-515. ISSN 1359-4184 (2011) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/mp.2010.28 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 52Web of Science - 53 | |
| 2010 | Ellis J, Sinclair D, Morrison D, Al-Qassab S, Springett K, et al., 'Microarray analyses of mouse responses to infection by Neospora caninum identifies disease associated cellular pathways in the host response', Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 174, (2) pp. 117-127. ISSN 0166-6851 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2010.08.007 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 13 | |
| 2009 | Weickert CS, Elashoff M, Richards AB, Sinclair D, Bahn S, et al., 'Transcriptome analysis of male-female differences in prefrontal cortical development', Molecular Psychiatry, 14, (6) pp. 558-561. ISSN 1359-4184 (2009) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] DOI: 10.1038/mp.2009.5 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 67Web of Science - 64 | |
| 2004 | Ellis J, Sinclair D, Morrison D, 'Microarrays and stage conversion in Toxoplasma gondii', Trends in Parasitology, 20, (6) pp. 288-295. ISSN 1471-4922 (2004) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2004.04.006 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 7 |
Conference Publication
(13 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Sinclair D, 'Are stress hormones protective in Alzheimer's disease? Using cultured cells to understand hormonal stress responses in the ageing human brain', 'Back to Basics Workshop' - Understanding the Molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease, 24 September 2019, Sydney, Australia (2019) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2019 | Sinclair D, 'Using cultured human neuronal cells to understand hormonal stress responses in Alzheimer's disease', Australian Dementia Forum 2019, 13-14 June 2019, Hobart, Tasmania (2019) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2018 | Sinclair D, '81. Changes in molecular stress signaling chaperone FKBP5 in the aging human brain', Australian Dementia Forum 2018, 3 - 5 June 2018, Sydney, Australia (2018) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2017 | Sinclair D, Featherstone R, Akuzawa S, Matsumoto M, Siegel SJ, 'W29. GABA-B agonist baclofen normalizes auditory-evoked neural oscillations and some cognitive deficits in the FMR1 knockout mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome', 50th Winter Conference on Brain Research, January 28 - February 2, 2017, Big Sky Resort Big Sky, Montana (2017) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2016 | Sinclair D, Cesare J, Featherstone R, Carlson GC, Hahn C-G, et al., 'Impacts of sex on postsynaptic NMDA receptor signaling in the cortex', 49th Winter Conference on Brain Research, 23-28 January 2016, Breckenridge, Colorado (2016) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2016 | Sinclair D, Featherstone R, Akuzawa S, Matsumoto M, Siegel SJ, '663.13 - Effects of GABA-B agonist baclofen on neural oscillations and behaviour in the FMRP1 knockout mouse model of Fragile X syndrome', Neuroscience 2016, 12-16 November 2016, San Diego, CA (2016) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2016 | Sinclair D, Featherstone R, Siegel SJ, 'GluN2B-Containing NMDA receptors in interneurons modulate auditory-evoked high frequency neural oscillations in adulthood', Australasian Neuroscience Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2016, 4-6 December 2016, Hobart, Tasmania (2016) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2016 | Sinclair D, Webster MJ, Hahn C-G, Borgmann-Winter K, Shannon Weickert C, 'Cellular and molecular stress responsiveness across the human lifespan', 49th Winter Conference on Brain Research, 23-28 January 2016, Breckenridge, Colorado (2016) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2015 | Sinclair D, Cesare J, McMullen M, Carlson G, Borgmann-Winter K, et al., '1143. The changing postsynaptic protein landscape in the developing brain', Symposium - Neurobiological markers of stress vulnerability in psychosis and high risk: from early life adversity to clinical trajectories, 16 May 2015, British Columbia - Mezzanine, pp. 418S-419S. ISSN 0006-3223 (2015) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2014 | Sinclair D, McMullen M, Cesare J, Carlson GC, Hahn C-G, et al., 'Program#/Poster#: 213.20/C21- Dynamic developmental changes and gender differences in the abundance of postsynaptic NMDA signaling proteins in the mouse frontal cortex', Neuroscience 2014, 15-19 November 2014, Washington, DC (2014) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2012 | Sinclair D, Fillman S, Cloonan N, Shannon Weickert C, 'P60. Abnormalities of FKBP5 and BAG1 within the glucocorticoid receptor stress signalling pathway in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder', 45th Annual Winter Conference on Brain Research, 21-26 January 2012, Snowbird, Utah (2012) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2011 | Sinclair D, Fullerton JM, Webster MJ, Shannon Weickert C, 'Program#/Poster#: 259.19/CC10 - Glucocorticoid receptor mRNA transcript variants 1B and 1C are decreased in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and are differentially regulated by SNPs overrepresented in schizophrenia', Neuroscience 2011, 12-16 November 2011, Washington, DC (2011) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2011 | Sinclair D, Webster M, Shannon Weickert C, 'P64. Changes in molecular stress response pathways in normal adolescence and schizophrenia Implications for the developmental onset of psychiatric illness', 44th Annual Winter Conference on Brain Research, 22-27 January 2011, Keystone, Colorado, United States (2011) [Conference Extract] |
Thesis
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sinclair D, 'Molecular stress signalling in human psychiatric illness and cortical development: the glucocorticoid receptor and its chaperones' (2011) [PhD] |
Other Public Output
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Remund A, Horton E, Sinclair D, 'Life after lockdown for older Tasmanians', The Tasmania Project, UTAS Institute for Social Change, Hobart, Tasmania, Report 42 (2021) [Report Other] Co-authors: Remund A; Horton E | |
| 2020 | Sinclair D, Brady J, 'How are older Tasmanians experiencing the pandemic?', The Tasmanian Project, UTAS Institute for Social Change, Australia, .Report 12 (2020) [Report Other] Co-authors: Brady J |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
9
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Extending an existing online short course, to develop additional modules targeting people highly vulnerable to the health risks of bushfire and smoke exposure.
- Funding
- Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management [TAS] ($100,387)
- Scheme
- Grant-NDRRGP
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Johnston F; Campbell S; Jones PJ; Workman AE; Sinclair D; Norris A
- Period
- 2022 - 2023
- Description
- This project builds knowledge about bushfire risks among older people in Tasmania, with a focus on using this knowledge to increase bushfire preparedness. It will be of primary benefit to older people themselves, but this will flow on to families, communities and Tasmania as a whole: the Bushfires and Your Health short course will be designed to be appropriate to adults of all ages and, in the future, will be made available to all adult Tasmanians. The project will also lay the foundation for a new understanding of specific mental and physical health risks associated with different types of bushfire exposure including vicarious trauma and stress. Insights about trauma and stress will be highly relevant to other natural disasters.
- Funding
- Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management [TAS] ($56,260)
- Scheme
- Grant-NDRRGP
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D; Norris K; Johnston F; Jones PJ; Campbell S
- Period
- 2022 - 2023
- Description
- This project builds knowledge about bushfire risks among older people in Tasmania, with a focus on using this knowledge to increase bushfire preparedness. It will be of primary benefit to older people themselves, but this will flow on to families, communities and Tasmania as a whole: the Bushfires and Your Health short course will be designed to be appropriate to adults of all ages and, in the future, will be made available to all adult Tasmanians. The project will also lay the foundation for a new understanding of specific mental and physical health risks associated with different types of bushfire exposure including vicarious trauma and stress. Insights about trauma and stress will be highly relevant to other natural disasters.
- Funding
- Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management [TAS] ($128,653)
- Scheme
- Grant-NDRRGP
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D; Johnston F; Jones PJ; Campbell S
- Year
- 2021
- Description
- This study will determine how glucocorticoid stress signaling interacts with amyloid beta and tau proteins in human neuronal cells.
- Funding
- Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd ($75,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dementia Grants Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D; King AE
- Period
- 2020 - 2021
- Description
- The aim of this project is to generate and characterize an isogenic control line from a famifia) AD iPSC line using CRISPR/Cas gene editing. This will yield a powerful tool to study impacts of intracellular AD processes on stress signaling and for future studies of AD pathology at the WickingCentre.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($20,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D; Cook AL
- Year
- 2019
- Description
- This study will determine how glucocorticoid stress signaling influences Aβ processing (and vice versa) in primary neurons from APP/PS1 transgenic mice and wildtype controls.
- Funding
- Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd ($50,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Dementia Grants Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D; King AE; Vickers JC
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- This community engagement grant proposal centres on empowerment and engagement in the developmental phase of potential studies into health, resilience and bushfires. It has three aims:1) To establish community attitudes to health-related bushfire research in local communities in Hobart and the Tasman Peninsula;2) To determine feasibility of such research, and;3) If appropriate, to engage the community in design of a research study which would investigate the health impacts of traumatic bushfire exposure and the benefit of prior resilience-focussed education for preventing such impacts.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($10,381)
- Scheme
- null
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D; Brooks BP
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- This study will identify the electrophysiological and neurobiological underpinnings of behavioural heterogeneity in Fmr1 KO mice using EEG, behavioural testing and cellular approaches. It will determine the utility of EEG for predicting responsiveness to treatment with candidate FXS drugs.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($9,700)
- Scheme
- null
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D
- Year
- 2017
- Description
- This project will investigate two key pathways implicated in schizophrenia- glutamatergic (excitatory) neurotransmission and stress signalling- using post-mortem tissue, neuronal-like cells derived from living people, and brain tissues from Sandy mice. We will investigate how stress may impact the brain in schizophrenia, and how glutamatergic abnormalities emerge across the lifespan in the presence or absence of early-life stress, shedding light on how schizophrenia risk pathways converge.
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($79,692)
- Scheme
- Fellowship-Early Career
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Sinclair D
- Year
- 2017
- Grant Reference
- 1072878
Research Supervision
How does stress impact pathological processes in Alzheimer's disease? (2018)$50,000
Funding: Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd ($50,000)
Scheme: Grant-Dementia Grants Program
Research Team: Sinclair D; King AE; Vickers JC
Year: 2018
Current
3
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Understanding Health and Resilience in the Face of Natural Disasters in Tasmania | 2019 |
| PhD | Delineating the Epigenetic Evolution of Neurons in Human Alzheimer's Disease | 2020 |
| PhD | Investigating Stress-related Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's Disease in Human Neuronal Cells | 2020 |