Researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) work to discover the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the ability of the adult brain to generate new nerve cells and form functional connections.
QBI is headed by Professor Perry F. Bartlett, ARC Federation Fellow, UQ Foundation Chair in Molecular Neuroscience and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Neuroscience is entering an era of accelerated discovery driven by the application of new molecular, genetic and imaging technologies, which will provide a deeper understanding of the regulation and function of the nervous system.
Significant advances in determining the molecular regulation of nerve cell function and development will have a major impact on our understanding of more complex areas such as behaviour, cognition, ageing, neurological disease and mental illness.
Discoveries will also provide, for the first time, a real opportunity to develop new therapeutics to treat mental and neurological diseases, which account for a staggering 45 per cent of the disease burden in Australia.
A major goal for QBI researchers is to promote excellence in neuroscience by fostering the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships that already exist within the wider UQ neuroscience community.
Continued research in neurogenesis is widely expected to lead to improved therapeutic treatments for a broad range of neurodegenerative conditions.
