About Us

We are the Griffith Parkinson's Disease Research Network, a collective of researchers dedicated to advancing the understanding of Parkinson's disease. Our primary objectives include exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease, identifying potential drug targets, developing innovative early diagnostic techniques, and identifying new molecules that can target essential biological pathways for therapeutic applications.

Our Highlights

1. We have established a new knockout mouse model and a series of behavioural tests that are being used to understand the role of a new potential target for Parkinson's disease.
2. We have established several patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, which carry an interesting mutation that is associated with Parkinson's disease through genetic linkage study of a big family with heritable Parkinson's disease. We are differentiating these iPSCs into dopaminergic neurons to investigate how the mutation affects neuron functions.
3. We are developing effective compounds from natural products that can improve the mitochondrial functions of neurons. These compounds have the potential as drug leads for treating Parkinson’s disease.
4. We are developing new diagnostic method using blood and saliva samples from patients.
5. We have organised three successful annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposiums and will have the fourth one in Nov 2023. The symposoium has been attracting Parkinson’s disease researchers from various research institutes in Brisbane, including UQ, QUT, and QIMR, and is becoming a platform for researchers in this field to share ideas and get inspirations.