Professor Elizabeth Coulson
Professor

Elizabeth Coulson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52905
Phone: 
+61 7 336 59022

Background

Professor Elizabeth (Lizzie) Coulson did her undergraduate Honours degree at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Genetics and Biochemistry. Her PhD (1997) in the Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, with Professor Colin Masters, was on the normal function of the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer’s disease. Following a year at the ZMBH, University of Heidelberg, Germany, she pursued postdoctoral work studying neuronal cell death in neurodegeneration and development at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute with Professor Perry Bartlett before being recruited in 2003 to the University of Queensland as a founding member of the Queensland Brain Institute. She was appointed Professor in 2015, joining the School of Biomedical Sciences and becoming Deputy Head of School in 2016/7 and 2019 and Head of School in 2020. She maintains a 20% Queensland Brain Institutes appointment and is a member of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research.

Her Lab webpage is: Coulson Lab - Neurotrophin - School of Biomedical Sciences ...

Availability

Professor Elizabeth Coulson is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Melbourne
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne

Research interests

  • Role of p75NTR in neurodegenerative disease.

    The laboratory recently reported that p75NTR death signalling can be promoted by amyloid-ß peptide that characteristically accumulates in Alzheimer’s disease. We are investigating the regulation and activation of p75NTR death signalling in cholinergic neurons in this condition, and testing whether disrupting p75NTR function can prevent cholinergic degeneration, and cognitive decline, in animal models. As an extension of this work we are developing methods to assess cholinergic degeneration and amyloid plaque deposition in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

  • How neurotransmitter- and neurotrophin-mediated signals determine cell survival.

    We are investigating the basic molecular mechanisms by which neurotransmitter receptor activation and receptor trafficking affect p75NTR activation and subsequent death signalling using molecular and biochemical techniques in in vitro and in vivo models. We are also investigating the role of p75NTR cleavage in promoting death signalling, using confocal microscopy techniques to image live cells and cell membranes in real time. This project will lead to a greater understanding of p75NTR biology, and will also provide knowledge of the kinetics of p75NTR-mediated death signals and the time frame within which they can be inhibited.

Search Professor Elizabeth Coulson’s works on UQ eSpace

114 works between 1996 and 2024
All (114) Journal Article (83) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (27) Other Outputs (1)

41 - 60 of 114 works

2017

Conference Publication

Global tau burden correlates with basal forebrain atrophy in healthy aging subjects

Hearn, Nathan, Dore, Vincent, Fripp, Jurgen, Grothe, Michel J., Teipel, Stefan J., Masters, Colin L., Rowe, Christopher C., Coulson, Elizabeth and Villemagne, Victor L.L. (2017). Global tau burden correlates with basal forebrain atrophy in healthy aging subjects. *, *, *. Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.06.1565

Global tau burden correlates with basal forebrain atrophy in healthy aging subjects

2016

Journal Article

Flux of signalling endosomes undergoing axonal retrograde transport is encoded by presynaptic activity and TrkB

Wang, Tong, Martin, Sally, Nguyen, Tam H., Harper, Callista B., Gormal, Rachel S., Martinez-Marmol, Ramon, Karunanithi, Shanker, Coulson, Elizabeth J., Glass, Nick R., Cooper-White, Justin J., Van Swinderen, Bruno and Meunier, Frederic A. (2016). Flux of signalling endosomes undergoing axonal retrograde transport is encoded by presynaptic activity and TrkB. Nature Communications, 7 (1) 12976, 12976. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12976

Flux of signalling endosomes undergoing axonal retrograde transport is encoded by presynaptic activity and TrkB

2016

Journal Article

Inhibition of motor neuron death in vitro and in vivo by a p75 neurotrophin receptor intracellular domain fragment

Matusica, Dusan, Alfonsi, Fabienne, Turner, Bradley J., Butler, Tim J., Shepheard, Stephanie R., Rogers, Mary-Louise, Skeldal, Sune, Underwood, Clare K., Mangelsdorf, Marie and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2016). Inhibition of motor neuron death in vitro and in vivo by a p75 neurotrophin receptor intracellular domain fragment. Journal of Cell Science, 129 (3), 517-530. doi: 10.1242/jcs.173864

Inhibition of motor neuron death in vitro and in vivo by a p75 neurotrophin receptor intracellular domain fragment

2016

Book Chapter

Signaling and function of death receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily

Skeldal, S. and Coulson, E. J. (2016). Signaling and function of death receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Encyclopedia of cell biology. (pp. 67-75) edited by Ralph A. Bradshaw and Philip D. Stahl. Waltham, MA United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-394447-4.30011-6

Signaling and function of death receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily

2015

Journal Article

The A-B-C for SORting APP

Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Andersen, Olav M. (2015). The A-B-C for SORting APP. Journal of Neurochemistry, 135 (1), 1-3. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13231

The A-B-C for SORting APP

2015

Journal Article

Basal forebrain atrophy contributes to allocentric navigation impairment in Alzheimer's disease patients

Kerbler, Georg M., Nedelska, Zuzana, Fripp, Jurgen, Laczo, Jan, Vyhnalek, Martin, Lisy, Jiri, Hamlin, Adam S., Rose, Stephen, Hort, Jakub and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2015). Basal forebrain atrophy contributes to allocentric navigation impairment in Alzheimer's disease patients. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 7 (185) 185, 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00185

Basal forebrain atrophy contributes to allocentric navigation impairment in Alzheimer's disease patients

2015

Journal Article

Basal forebrain atrophy correlates with amyloid beta burden in Alzheimer's disease

Kerbler, Georg M., Fripp, Jürgen, Rowe, Christopher C., Villemagne, Victor L., Salvado, Olivier, Rose, Stephen, Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (2015). Basal forebrain atrophy correlates with amyloid beta burden in Alzheimer's disease. NeuroImage: Clinical, 7, 105-113. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2014.11.015

Basal forebrain atrophy correlates with amyloid beta burden in Alzheimer's disease

2015

Conference Publication

Neurotrophin regulation of Alzheimer's disease pathology

Turnbull, M., Goetz, J. and Coulson, E. (2015). Neurotrophin regulation of Alzheimer's disease pathology. 25th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry Jointly with the 13th Meeting of the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry in Conjunction with the 35th Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society, Cairns, QLD Australia, 23-27 August 2015. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13188

Neurotrophin regulation of Alzheimer's disease pathology

2015

Conference Publication

Cholinergic dysfunction of mesopontine tegmentum is involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease

Qian, L., Marks, N., Sharma, A., Bellingham, M. and Coulson, E. (2015). Cholinergic dysfunction of mesopontine tegmentum is involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease. 25th Biennial Meeting of the International-Society-for-Neurochemistry Jointly with the 13th Meeting of the Asian-Pacific-Society-for-Neurochemistry in Conjunction with the 35th Meeting of the Australasian-Neuroscience-Society, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 23-27 August 2015. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13189

Cholinergic dysfunction of mesopontine tegmentum is involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease

2015

Conference Publication

Enhancing TRK mediated trophic signalling to augment cognitive processes

Camara, M. Iou, Matusica, D., Qian, L., Bredy, T., Nykjaer, A. and Coulson, E. (2015). Enhancing TRK mediated trophic signalling to augment cognitive processes. 25th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry jointly with the 13th Meeting of the Asian‐Pacific Society for Neurochemistry in conjunction with the 35th Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 23-27 August 2015. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13189

Enhancing TRK mediated trophic signalling to augment cognitive processes

2015

Conference Publication

Disruption to long-range anterograde neurotrophin signalling in alzheimer's disease

Coulson, E. (2015). Disruption to long-range anterograde neurotrophin signalling in alzheimer's disease. 25th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry Jointly with the 13th Meeting of the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry in Conjunction with the 35th Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society, Cairns, QLD Australia, 23-27 August 2015. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13185

Disruption to long-range anterograde neurotrophin signalling in alzheimer's disease

2014

Journal Article

Comparative studies using the Morris water maze to assess spatial memory deficits in two transgenic mouse models Of Alzheimer's disease

Edwards, Stephen R., Hamlin, Adam S., Marks, Nicola, Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Smith, Maree T. (2014). Comparative studies using the Morris water maze to assess spatial memory deficits in two transgenic mouse models Of Alzheimer's disease. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 41 (10), 798-806. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12277

Comparative studies using the Morris water maze to assess spatial memory deficits in two transgenic mouse models Of Alzheimer's disease

2014

Journal Article

The role of p75NTR in cholinergic basal forebrain structure and function

Boskovic, Zoran, Alfonsi, Fabienne, Rumballe, Bree A., Fonseka, Sachini, Windels, Francois and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2014). The role of p75NTR in cholinergic basal forebrain structure and function. Journal of Neuroscience, 34 (39), 13033-13038. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2364-14.2014

The role of p75NTR in cholinergic basal forebrain structure and function

2014

Journal Article

Local versus long-range neurotrophin receptor signalling: Endosomes are not just carriers for axonal transport

Matusica, Dusan and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2014). Local versus long-range neurotrophin receptor signalling: Endosomes are not just carriers for axonal transport. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 31, 57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.03.032

Local versus long-range neurotrophin receptor signalling: Endosomes are not just carriers for axonal transport

2014

Journal Article

A role for SNAREs in neuronal survival?

Harper, Callista B., Bademosi, Adekunle T., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Meunier, Frederic A. (2014). A role for SNAREs in neuronal survival?. Journal of Neurochemistry, 129 (5), 753-755. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12699

A role for SNAREs in neuronal survival?

2014

Journal Article

Effect of donepezil in alzheimer disease can be measured by a computerized human analog of the morris water maze

Hort, J., Andel, R., Mokrisova, I., Gazova, I., Amlerova, J., Valis, M., Coulson, E. J., Harrison, J., Windisch, M. and Laczo, J. (2014). Effect of donepezil in alzheimer disease can be measured by a computerized human analog of the morris water maze. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 13 (2-3), 192-196. doi: 10.1159/000355517

Effect of donepezil in alzheimer disease can be measured by a computerized human analog of the morris water maze

2013

Journal Article

Spatial navigation in young versus older adults

Gazova, Ivana, Laczo, Jan, Rubinova, Eva, Mokrisova, Ivana, Hyncicova, Eva, Andel, Ross, Vyhnalek, Martin, Sheardova, Katerina, Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Hort, Jakub (2013). Spatial navigation in young versus older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 5 (DEC) Article 94, 94.1-94.8. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2013.00094

Spatial navigation in young versus older adults

2013

Journal Article

Up-regulation of sortilin mediated by amyloid-beta and p75NTR: safety lies in the middle course

Coulson, Elizabeth J and Nykjaer, Anders (2013). Up-regulation of sortilin mediated by amyloid-beta and p75NTR: safety lies in the middle course. Journal of Neurochemistry, 127 (2), 149-151. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12389

Up-regulation of sortilin mediated by amyloid-beta and p75NTR: safety lies in the middle course

2013

Journal Article

An intracellular domain fragment of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR) enhances tropomyosin receptor kinase A(TrkA) receptor function

Matusica, Dusan, Skeldal, Sune, Sykes, Alex M., Palstra, Nickless, Sharma, Aanchal and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2013). An intracellular domain fragment of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR) enhances tropomyosin receptor kinase A(TrkA) receptor function. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288 (16), 11144-11154. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.436469

An intracellular domain fragment of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR) enhances tropomyosin receptor kinase A(TrkA) receptor function

2013

Journal Article

Inhibition of PIKfyve by YM-201636 Dysregulates Autophagy and Leads to Apoptosis-Independent Neuronal Cell Death

Martin, Sally, Harper, Callista B., May, Linda M., Coulson, Elizabeth J., Meunier, Frederic A. and Osborne, Shona L. (2013). Inhibition of PIKfyve by YM-201636 Dysregulates Autophagy and Leads to Apoptosis-Independent Neuronal Cell Death. PLoS One, 8 (3) e60152, e60152.1-e60152.14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060152

Inhibition of PIKfyve by YM-201636 Dysregulates Autophagy and Leads to Apoptosis-Independent Neuronal Cell Death

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Centre of Research Excellence in Mechanisms In NeuroDegeneration - Alzheimer's Disease (MIND-AD CRE)
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    Sleep Apnoea Research
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    Mechanism and potential treatment of obstructive sleep apnea induced Alzheimer's pathology
    Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Brightfield and Fluorescent High Speed and Throughput Slide Scanner for biological, medical, materials science, and agricultural applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Dissolution DNP Hyperpolariser
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Mechanisms and consequences of cholinergic neuron degeneration in sleep apnea
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    A dendritic substrate for the cholinergic control of neocortical output
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Reduced cerebral blood flow in Alzheimer's disease and cholinergic neuron dysfunction
    The Mason Foundation National Medical Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    A Pharmacology Screening Facility to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Development
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Is continuous positive airway pressure an effective way to avert development of Alzheimer's disease in sleep apnea patients?
    The Mason Foundation National Medical Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Modulating Trk receptors for the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer's disease
    Alzheimers Research UK - Target Validation Pathfinder Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Treating cholinergic degeneration in sleep apnea to prevent Alzheimer's disease
    Brain Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Unravelling the mechanism coupling synaptic activity with neurotrophin signaling in the nervous system
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    A novel approach to enhance cognitive function and promote synaptic plasticity
    Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation - Cromwell Property Group Foundation Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Predicting cholinesterase inhibitor response in patients with dementia
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2016
    A state-of-the-art facility for simulataneous photo-stimulation, high speed imaging and electrophysiological recording of multiple neurons in brain tissue and living organisms
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Light-sheet microscope for high-speed 3D imaging of live organisms and fixed tissue
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Regulation of neurotrophin signalling as a treatment for MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Computerised stereotaxic stages and rapid tissue processor for enhanced fixation and immunolabelling
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Endosomal sorting of amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Touchscreen-automated cognitive testing for mice
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Two-photon microscopy for live and fixed imaging in model organisms and thick tissue
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Understanding how membrane trafficking controls the levels of Alzheimer's disease causing Aß peptides
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Sleep disturbance and cholinergic degeneration in Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Spinning disk confocal for advanced high-speed histocytometry and neuromorphology analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Endosomal protein sorting and APP processing in Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Establishment of Integrated Small Animal Metabolic and Physiology Assessment Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Neuronal circuits underlying behaviour
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Measures of cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration as an early screen for Alzheimer's disease
    The Mason Foundation - Medical and Scientific Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Regulation of neuronal cell death signalling for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Detection platform for both radiometyricand non-radiometric labels
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    How do p75 and sortilin facilitate TrkA-mediated survival signalling?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    UQ Travel Awards Category 1 - Dr Sune Skeldal
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    The neuronal PlKfyve complex regulates neurotransmission and neurodegeneration
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    A new animal model of Alzheimer's disease
    The Mason Foundation - Medical and Scientific Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    NHMRC Career Development Award (Biomedical Level 2): Molecular mechanisms of neuronal survival
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Alzheimer's disease: Novel MRI Biomarkers for Clinical Diagnosis and Translational Studies
    Queensland Government Smart State National and International Research Alliances Program
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    AD A -induced cell death signalling by the p75 neurotrophin receptor.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    The detection and inhibition of p75 neurotrophin receptor-mediated neurodegeneration
    Alzheimer's Australia Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Zeiss LSM 710 confocal laser scanning microscope
    UQ Institute Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Regulation of neuronal death signalling in Alzheimer's disease
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    High Speed Fluorescence Imaging coupled with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching System
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Regulation of p75 death signalling: how neurotransmitter- and neurotrophic- signals determine cell survival
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Ultraviolet Laser for targeted uncaging
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Development of novel MRI-based contrast agents for advanced imaging of cellular function
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Zeiss Cryo-Star cryostat
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004
    A Neural Network: Understanding Brain Function
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    NHMRC R DOUGLAS WRIGHT BIOMEDICAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD: Molecular mechanisms of neuronal cell death in the adult
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Proteolytic cleavage of the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates cell death
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Creation of a mouse expressing GFP from the p75 neurotrophin receptor promoter
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Expression Cloning of Proteins Within the p75NTR Death-Signalling Pathway
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    SEALEY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Elizabeth Coulson is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dissection of the Role of Active Dendritic Integration in Neuronal Computation

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Detecting risk of dementia in people with sleep apnoea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Philip Terrill

  • Doctor Philosophy

    MRI biomarker of glymphatic dysfunction in dementia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang

  • Master Philosophy

    Efficacy of Non-Invasive Ventilation for the treatment of sleep hypoventilation in Myotonic Dystrophy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kwun Fong

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Elizabeth Coulson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell biology
  • Disease - Alzheimer's
  • Disease - Motor Neuron
  • Molecular mechanisms
  • Motor Neuron disease
  • Research models

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