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)

81 - 100 of 114 works

2008

Journal Article

p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates neuronal cell death by activating GIRK channels through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Coulson, E. J., May, L. M., Osborne, S. L., Reid, K., Underwood, C. K., Meunier, F. A., Bartlett, P. F. and Sah, P. (2008). p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates neuronal cell death by activating GIRK channels through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (1), 315-324. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2699-07.2008

p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates neuronal cell death by activating GIRK channels through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

2008

Journal Article

The p75 neurotrophin receptor

Underwood, Clare K. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2008). The p75 neurotrophin receptor. The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 40 (9), 1664-1668. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2007.06.010

The p75 neurotrophin receptor

2007

Journal Article

Copper induced oxidation of serotonin: analysis of products and toxicity

Jones, C. E., Underwood, C. K., Coulson, E. J. and Taylor, P. J. (2007). Copper induced oxidation of serotonin: analysis of products and toxicity. Journal of Neurochemistry, 102 (4), 1035-1043. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04602.x

Copper induced oxidation of serotonin: analysis of products and toxicity

2007

Journal Article

Zinc-mediated neuronal death is dependent on Trk activation

Morley, Samuel N., Power, John M., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Bartlett, Perry F. (2007). Zinc-mediated neuronal death is dependent on Trk activation. Experimental Neurology, 205 (2), 360-366. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.02.006

Zinc-mediated neuronal death is dependent on Trk activation

2007

Journal Article

p75 Neurotrophin receptor expression defines a population of BDNF-responsive neurogenic precursor cells

Young, K. M., Merson, T. D., Sotthibundhu, A., Coulson, E. J. and Bartlett, P. F. (2007). p75 Neurotrophin receptor expression defines a population of BDNF-responsive neurogenic precursor cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 27 (19), 5146-5155. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0654-07.2007

p75 Neurotrophin receptor expression defines a population of BDNF-responsive neurogenic precursor cells

2006

Journal Article

Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines

Catts, Vibeke Sorensen, Catts, Stanley Victor, McGrath, John Joseph, Feron, Francois, McLean, Duncan, Coulson, Elizabeth Jane and Lutze-Mann, Louise Helen (2006). Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines. Schizophrenia Research, 84 (1), 20-28. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.03.016

Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines

2006

Conference Publication

Magnetic resonance neuroimaging at 16.4T

Kurniawan, N. D., Fox , B., Rogers, F., Butler, T., Li, L., Wallace, R., Cowin, G., Rose, S., Coulson, E., Galloway, G., Bartlett, P. F. and Brereton, I. M. (2006). Magnetic resonance neuroimaging at 16.4T. UWS Symposium and Workshop on NMR Imaging and Diffusion, Sydney, Australia, 21-22 October 2006.

Magnetic resonance neuroimaging at 16.4T

2006

Journal Article

Does the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediate A beta-induced toxicity in Alzheimer's disease?

Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2006). Does the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediate A beta-induced toxicity in Alzheimer's disease?. Journal of Neurochemistry, 98 (3), 654-660. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03905.x

Does the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediate A beta-induced toxicity in Alzheimer's disease?

2006

Conference Publication

Magnetic resonance micro-imaging at the University of Queensland

Kurniawan, N., Fox, B., Xu, Z., Li, L., Rogers, F., Lu, G., Galloway, G., Rose, S., Bartlett, P. F. and Coulson, E. J. (2006). Magnetic resonance micro-imaging at the University of Queensland. The 2nd Pacific Rim Brain Conference, Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-16 August 2006. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Brain Institute.

Magnetic resonance micro-imaging at the University of Queensland

2006

Journal Article

Neural progenitor number is regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B p65 and p50 subunit-dependent proliferation rather than cell survival

Young, Kaylene M., Bartlett, Perry F. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2006). Neural progenitor number is regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B p65 and p50 subunit-dependent proliferation rather than cell survival. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 83 (1), 39-49. doi: 10.1002/jnr.20702

Neural progenitor number is regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B p65 and p50 subunit-dependent proliferation rather than cell survival

2005

Journal Article

Tertiapin-Q blocks recombinant and native large conductance K+ channels in a use-dependent manner

Kanjhan, R., Coulson, E. J., Adams, D. J. and Bellingham, M. C. (2005). Tertiapin-Q blocks recombinant and native large conductance K+ channels in a use-dependent manner. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics, 314 (3), 1353-1361. doi: 10.1124/jpet.105.085928

Tertiapin-Q blocks recombinant and native large conductance K+ channels in a use-dependent manner

2005

Conference Publication

Development of contrast agents for magnetic resonance microimaging

Kurniawan, N., Rogers, F., Li, L., Fox, B., Xu. G., Bartlett, P. F., Coulson, E. and Rose, S. (2005). Development of contrast agents for magnetic resonance microimaging. The Queensland Brain Institute Brain Plasticity Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 12-15 September, 2005.

Development of contrast agents for magnetic resonance microimaging

2005

Journal Article

A microarray study of post-mortem mRNA degradation in mouse brain tissue

Catts, V. S., Catts, S. V., Fernandez, H. R., Taylor, J. M., Coulson, E. J. and Lutze-Mann, L. H. (2005). A microarray study of post-mortem mRNA degradation in mouse brain tissue. Molecular Brain Research, 138 (2), 164-177. doi: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.04.017

A microarray study of post-mortem mRNA degradation in mouse brain tissue

2005

Book Chapter

Baculoviral lessons in apoptosis

Hawkins, Christine J., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Vaux, David L. (2005). Baculoviral lessons in apoptosis. Signalling pathways in apoptosis. (pp. 196-209) edited by Dianne Watters and Martin Lavin. Abingdon, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.4324/9780203303658_chapter_7

Baculoviral lessons in apoptosis

2005

Conference Publication

Apoptotic markers in fibroblast cultures from patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and non-affected controls

Catts, V. S., Catts, S., McGrath, J. J., Mackay-Sim, A., Feron, F., McLean, D., Coulson, E. J. and Lutze-Mann, L. H. (2005). Apoptotic markers in fibroblast cultures from patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and non-affected controls. The Royal Aust & NZ College of Psychiatrists 40th Congress, Sydney, 22-26 May, 2005. Melbourne, Australia: Blackwell.

Apoptotic markers in fibroblast cultures from patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and non-affected controls

2004

Conference Publication

A microarray study of postmortem mRNA degradation in mouse brain tissue

Catts, V. S., Catts, S., Fernandez, H.R., Taylor, J., Coulson, E. and Lutzemann, L.H. (2004). A microarray study of postmortem mRNA degradation in mouse brain tissue. Australian Neuroscience Society 24th Annual Meeting, Melbourne Convention Centre, 27-30 January 2004. Melbourne: Australian Neuroscience Society.

A microarray study of postmortem mRNA degradation in mouse brain tissue

2004

Conference Publication

Zinc neurotoxicity is promoted by nerve growth factor but is prevented by leukaemia inhibitor factor

Morley, S. N., Coulson, E. and Bartlett, P. F. (2004). Zinc neurotoxicity is promoted by nerve growth factor but is prevented by leukaemia inhibitor factor. Society for Neuroscience 34th Annual Meeting, San Diego, 23-27 October. Washington DC: Society for Neuroscience.

Zinc neurotoxicity is promoted by nerve growth factor but is prevented by leukaemia inhibitor factor

2004

Conference Publication

p75NTR: The first positive marker for neural stem cell selection and its role in cell fate determination

Young, K. M., Coulson, E. and Bartlett, P. F. (2004). p75NTR: The first positive marker for neural stem cell selection and its role in cell fate determination. Australian Neuroscience Society 24th Annual Meeting, Melbourne Convention Centre, 27-30 January. Melbourne: Australian Neuroscience Society.

p75NTR: The first positive marker for neural stem cell selection and its role in cell fate determination

2004

Conference Publication

The role of neurotransmission and the Chopper domain in p75 neurotrophin receptor death signaling

Coulson, E., Reid, K. M., Shipham, K. M., Morley, S. N., Kilpatrick, T. J. and Bartlett, P. F. (2004). The role of neurotransmission and the Chopper domain in p75 neurotrophin receptor death signaling. 7th International Conference on NGF and Related Molecules, Modena, Italy, 15-19 May, 2002. Amsterdam Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(03)46003-2

The role of neurotransmission and the Chopper domain in p75 neurotrophin receptor death signaling

2004

Conference Publication

Stimulation of Girk channel activity by P75 neurotrophin receptor (p 75NTR) promotes neuronal death

Coulson, E., Sah, P., May, L. M., Morley, S. N. and Bartlett, P. F. (2004). Stimulation of Girk channel activity by P75 neurotrophin receptor (p 75NTR) promotes neuronal death. Society for Neuroscience 34th Annual Meeting, San Diego, 23-27 October, 2004. Washington DC: Society for Neuroscience.

Stimulation of Girk channel activity by P75 neurotrophin receptor (p 75NTR) promotes neuronal 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

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

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

  • 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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au