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)

61 - 80 of 114 works

2013

Journal Article

Structural basis for endosomal trafficking of diverse transmembrane cargos by PX-FERM proteins

Ghai, Rajesh, Bugarcic, Andrea, Liu, Huadong, Norwood, Suzanne J., Skeldal, Sune, Coulson, Elizabeth J., Li, Shawn Shun-Cheng, Teasdale, Rohan D. and Collins, Brett M. (2013). Structural basis for endosomal trafficking of diverse transmembrane cargos by PX-FERM proteins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110 (8), E643-E652. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1216229110

Structural basis for endosomal trafficking of diverse transmembrane cargos by PX-FERM proteins

2013

Journal Article

Lesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in mice disrupt idiothetic navigation

Hamlin, Adam S., Windels, Francois, Boskovic, Zoran, Sah, Pankaj and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2013). Lesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in mice disrupt idiothetic navigation. PLoS ONE, 8 (1) e53472, e53472.1-e53472.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053472

Lesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in mice disrupt idiothetic navigation

2012

Journal Article

The effects of transmembrane sequence and dimerization on cleavage of the p75 neurotrophin receptor by γ-secretase

Sykes, Alex M., Palstra, Nick, Abankwa, Daniel, Hill, Justine M., Skeldal, Sune, Matusica, Dusan, Venkatraman, Prahatha, Hancock, John F. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2012). The effects of transmembrane sequence and dimerization on cleavage of the p75 neurotrophin receptor by γ-secretase. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287 (52), 43810-43824. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.382903

The effects of transmembrane sequence and dimerization on cleavage of the p75 neurotrophin receptor by γ-secretase

2012

Journal Article

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging detection of basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration in a mouse model

Kerbler, Georg M., Hamlin, Adam S., Pannek, Kerstin, Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Keller, Marianne D., Rose, Stephen E. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2012). Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging detection of basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration in a mouse model. NeuroImage, 66, 133-141. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.10.075

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging detection of basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration in a mouse model

2012

Journal Article

Mapping of the interaction site between sortilin and the p75 neurotrophin receptor reveals a regulatory role for the sortilin intracellular domain in p75 neurotrophin receptor shedding and apoptosis

Skeldal, Sune, Sykes, Alex M., Glerup, Simon, Matusica, Dusan, Palstra, Nickless, Autio, Henri, Boskovic, Zoran, Madsen, Peder, Castrén, Eero, Nykjaer, Anders and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2012). Mapping of the interaction site between sortilin and the p75 neurotrophin receptor reveals a regulatory role for the sortilin intracellular domain in p75 neurotrophin receptor shedding and apoptosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287 (52), 43798-43809. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.374710

Mapping of the interaction site between sortilin and the p75 neurotrophin receptor reveals a regulatory role for the sortilin intracellular domain in p75 neurotrophin receptor shedding and apoptosis

2012

Conference Publication

Regulation of neuronal survival and death by the cleaved fragments of p75 neurotrophin receptor

Coulson, E. J. and Matusica, D. (2012). Regulation of neuronal survival and death by the cleaved fragments of p75 neurotrophin receptor. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Regulation of neuronal survival and death by the cleaved fragments of p75 neurotrophin receptor

2012

Journal Article

Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling? (vol 33, pg 614, 2011)

Skeldal, S., Matusica, D., Nykjaer, A. and Coulson, E. J. (2012). Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling? (vol 33, pg 614, 2011). Bioessays, 34 (6), 521-521. doi: 10.1002/bies.201110036

Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling? (vol 33, pg 614, 2011)

2011

Journal Article

Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling?: Neuronal life, growth and death signalling are crucially regulated by intra-membrane proteolysis and trafficking of p75(NTR)

Skeldal, Sune, Matusica, Dusan, Nykjaer, Anders and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2011). Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling?: Neuronal life, growth and death signalling are crucially regulated by intra-membrane proteolysis and trafficking of p75(NTR). BioEssays, 33 (8), 614-625. doi: 10.1002/bies.201100036

Proteolytic processing of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: A prerequisite for signalling?: Neuronal life, growth and death signalling are crucially regulated by intra-membrane proteolysis and trafficking of p75(NTR)

2011

Journal Article

Post-synaptic scaffolding protein interactions with glutamate receptors in synaptic dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease

Proctor, Dustin T., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Dodd, Peter R. (2011). Post-synaptic scaffolding protein interactions with glutamate receptors in synaptic dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease. Progress in Neurobiology, 93 (4), 509-521. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2011.02.002

Post-synaptic scaffolding protein interactions with glutamate receptors in synaptic dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease

2011

Conference Publication

Imaging the loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by tractography

Kerbler, Georg, Hamlin, Adam, Keller, Marianne D., Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Brereton, Ian M. and Coulson, Elizabeth (2011). Imaging the loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by tractography. 10th International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson Diseases, Barcelona, Spain, 9-13 March 2011.

Imaging the loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by tractography

2010

Journal Article

Reduction in post-synaptic scaffolding PSD-95 and SAP-102 protein levels in the Alzheimer inferior temporal cortex is correlated with disease pathology

Proctor, Dustin T., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Dodd, Peter R. (2010). Reduction in post-synaptic scaffolding PSD-95 and SAP-102 protein levels in the Alzheimer inferior temporal cortex is correlated with disease pathology. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 21 (3), 795-811. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2010-100090

Reduction in post-synaptic scaffolding PSD-95 and SAP-102 protein levels in the Alzheimer inferior temporal cortex is correlated with disease pathology

2010

Conference Publication

Tractography in a Saporine Alzheimer's Disease mouse model

Keller, Marianne D., Kerbler, Georg, Hamlin, Adam S., Brereton, Ian and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2010). Tractography in a Saporine Alzheimer's Disease mouse model. World Molecular Imaging Conference in Kyoto, Japan, Kyoto, Japan, 8-11 September 2010. United States: Springer New York LLC.

Tractography in a Saporine Alzheimer's Disease mouse model

2010

Conference Publication

Imaging the loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by tractography

Georg Kerbler, Hamlin, Adam, Keller, Marianne D., Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Brereton, Ian M. and Coulson, Elizabeth (2010). Imaging the loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by tractography. 3rd Brain Plasticity Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 14-16 September 2010.

Imaging the loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by tractography

2010

Conference Publication

A behavioural study assessing memory deficits in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease using the Morris water maze.

Edwards, Stephen R., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Smith, Maree T. (2010). A behavioural study assessing memory deficits in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease using the Morris water maze.. Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) 44th Annual Scientific Meeting 2010, Melbourne, Australia, 28 November-1 December 2010. Melbourne, Australia: ASCEPT.

A behavioural study assessing memory deficits in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease using the Morris water maze.

2009

Journal Article

Aβ₁₋₄₂ stimulates adult SVZ neurogenesis through the p75 neurotrophin receptor

Sotthibundhu, Areechun, Li, Qiao-Xin, Thangnipon, Wipawan and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2009). Aβ₁₋₄₂ stimulates adult SVZ neurogenesis through the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Neurobiology of Aging, 30 (12), 1975-1985. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.02.004

Aβ₁₋₄₂ stimulates adult SVZ neurogenesis through the p75 neurotrophin receptor

2009

Journal Article

p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates basal and fluoxetine-stimulated hippocampal neurogenesis

Colditz, Michael J., Catts, Vibeke S., Al-menhali, Noura, Osborne, Geoffrey W., Bartlett, Perry F. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2009). p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates basal and fluoxetine-stimulated hippocampal neurogenesis. Experimental Brain Research, 200 (2), 161-167. doi: 10.1007/s00221-009-1947-6

p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates basal and fluoxetine-stimulated hippocampal neurogenesis

2009

Journal Article

The role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in cholinergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

Coulson, Elizabeth, May, Linda, Sykes, Alexander and Hamlin, Adam (2009). The role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in cholinergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroscientist, 15 (4), 317-323. doi: 10.1177/1073858408331376

The role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in cholinergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

2008

Journal Article

The p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and related behaviours

Catts, Vibeke, Al-Minhali, Noura, Burne, Thomas H.J., Colditz, Michael and Coulson, Elizabeth (2008). The p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and related behaviours. European Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (5), 883-892. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06390.x

The p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and related behaviours

2008

Journal Article

β-amyloid1-42 induces neuronal death through the p75 neurotrophin receptor

Sotthibundhu, Areechun, Sykes, Alex M., Fox, Briony, Underwood, Clare K., Thangnipon, Wipawan and Coulson, Elizabeth, J. (2008). β-amyloid1-42 induces neuronal death through the p75 neurotrophin receptor. The Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (15), 3941-3946. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0350-08.2008

β-amyloid1-42 induces neuronal death through the p75 neurotrophin receptor

2008

Journal Article

Palmitoylation of the C-terminal fragment of p75NTR regulates death signaling and is required for subsequent cleavage by gamma-secretase

Underwood, Clare K., Reid, Kate, May, Linda M., Bartlett, Perry F. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2008). Palmitoylation of the C-terminal fragment of p75NTR regulates death signaling and is required for subsequent cleavage by gamma-secretase. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 37 (2), 346-358. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2007.10.005

Palmitoylation of the C-terminal fragment of p75NTR regulates death signaling and is required for subsequent cleavage by gamma-secretase

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

    MRI biomarker of glymphatic dysfunction in dementia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Detecting risk of dementia in people with sleep apnoea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Philip Terrill

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dissection of the Role of Active Dendritic Integration in Neuronal Computation

    Principal Advisor

  • 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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