Professor Elizabeth Coulson
Professor

Elizabeth Coulson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52905

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

118 works between 1996 and 2025
All (118) Journal Article (85) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (29) Other Outputs (1)

101 - 118 of 118 works

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

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

2003

Journal Article

Low-affinity neurotrophin receptor with targeted mutation of exon 3 is capable of mediating the death of axotomized neurons

Murray, SS, Bartlett, PF, Lopes, EC, Coulson, EJ, Greferath, U and Cheema, SS (2003). Low-affinity neurotrophin receptor with targeted mutation of exon 3 is capable of mediating the death of axotomized neurons. Clinical And Experimental Pharmacology And Physiology, 30 (4), 217-222. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2003.03827.x

Low-affinity neurotrophin receptor with targeted mutation of exon 3 is capable of mediating the death of axotomized neurons

2002

Journal Article

The p35 relative, p49, inhibits mammalian and Drosophila caspases including DRONC and protects against apoptosis

Jabbour, AM, Ekert, PG, Coulson, EJ, Knight, MJ, Ashley, DM and Hawkins, CJ (2002). The p35 relative, p49, inhibits mammalian and Drosophila caspases including DRONC and protects against apoptosis. Cell Death And Differentiation, 9 (12), 1311-1320. doi: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4401135

The p35 relative, p49, inhibits mammalian and Drosophila caspases including DRONC and protects against apoptosis

2001

Journal Article

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and their relatives: IAPs and other BIRPs

Verhagen, A. M., Coulson, E. J. and Vaux, D. L. (2001). Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and their relatives: IAPs and other BIRPs. Genome Biology, 2 (7) 3009

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and their relatives: IAPs and other BIRPs

2001

Journal Article

Systemic administration of antisense p75(NTR) oligodeoxynucleotides rescues axotomised spinal motor neurons

Lowry, KS, Murray, SS, Coulson, EJ, Epa, R, Bartlett, PF, Barrett, G and Cheema, SS (2001). Systemic administration of antisense p75(NTR) oligodeoxynucleotides rescues axotomised spinal motor neurons. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 64 (1), 11-17. doi: 10.1002/jnr.1048

Systemic administration of antisense p75(NTR) oligodeoxynucleotides rescues axotomised spinal motor neurons

2000

Journal Article

Chopper, a new death domain of the p75 neurotrophin receptor that mediates rapid neuronal cell death

Coulson, E. J., Reid, K., Baca, M., Shipham, K. A., Hulett, S. M., Kilpatrick, T. J. and Bartlett, P. F. (2000). Chopper, a new death domain of the p75 neurotrophin receptor that mediates rapid neuronal cell death. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275 (39), 30537-30545. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M005214200

Chopper, a new death domain of the p75 neurotrophin receptor that mediates rapid neuronal cell death

2000

Journal Article

Role of neurotrophin receptor p75NTR in mediating neuronal cell death following injury

Coulson, E. J., Reid, K., Murray, S. S., Cheema, S. S. and Bartlett, P. F. (2000). Role of neurotrophin receptor p75NTR in mediating neuronal cell death following injury. Clinical And Experimental Pharmacology And Physiology, 27 (7), 537-541. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2000.03295.x

Role of neurotrophin receptor p75NTR in mediating neuronal cell death following injury

2000

Journal Article

What the evolution of the amyloid protein precursor supergene family tells us about its function

Coulson, EJ, Paliga, K, Beyreuther, K and Masters, CL (2000). What the evolution of the amyloid protein precursor supergene family tells us about its function. Neurochemistry International, 36 (3), 175-184. doi: 10.1016/S0197-0186(99)00125-4

What the evolution of the amyloid protein precursor supergene family tells us about its function

1999

Journal Article

Signaling of neuronal cell death by the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor

Coulson, E. J., Reid, K. and Bartlett, P. F. (1999). Signaling of neuronal cell death by the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor. Molecular Neurobiology, 20 (1), 29-44. doi: 10.1007/BF02741363

Signaling of neuronal cell death by the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor

1999

Journal Article

p75 neurotrophin receptor-mediated neuronal death is promoted by Bcl-2 and prevented by Bcl-x(L)

Coulson, E. J., Reid, K., Barrett, G. L. and Bartlett, P. F. (1999). p75 neurotrophin receptor-mediated neuronal death is promoted by Bcl-2 and prevented by Bcl-x(L). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274 (23), 16387-16391. doi: 10.1074/jbc.274.23.16387

p75 neurotrophin receptor-mediated neuronal death is promoted by Bcl-2 and prevented by Bcl-x(L)

1998

Journal Article

Conservation of baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis repeat proteins (BIRPs) in viruses, nematodes, vertebrates and yeasts

Uren, AG, Coulson, EJ and Vaux, DL (1998). Conservation of baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis repeat proteins (BIRPs) in viruses, nematodes, vertebrates and yeasts. Trends In Biochemical Sciences, 23 (5), 159-162. doi: 10.1016/S0968-0004(98)01198-0

Conservation of baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis repeat proteins (BIRPs) in viruses, nematodes, vertebrates and yeasts

1998

Journal Article

Enhanced downregulation of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor by cholesteryl and bis-cholesteryl antisense oligonucleotides

Epa, WR, Rong, P, Bartlett, PF, Coulson, EJ and Barrett, GL (1998). Enhanced downregulation of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor by cholesteryl and bis-cholesteryl antisense oligonucleotides. Antisense & Nucleic Acid Drug Development, 8 (6), 489-498. doi: 10.1089/oli.1.1998.8.489

Enhanced downregulation of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor by cholesteryl and bis-cholesteryl antisense oligonucleotides

1997

Journal Article

Down-regulation of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease by antisense oligonucleotides reduces neuronal adhesion to specific substrata

Coulson, EJ, Barrett, GL, Storey, E, Bartlett, PF, Beyreuther, K and Masters, CL (1997). Down-regulation of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease by antisense oligonucleotides reduces neuronal adhesion to specific substrata. Brain Research, 770 (1-2), 72-80. doi: 10.1016/S0006-8993(97)00757-9

Down-regulation of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease by antisense oligonucleotides reduces neuronal adhesion to specific substrata

1997

Conference Publication

The metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease and dietary zinc

Whyte, S, Jones, L, Coulson, EJ, Moir, RD, Bush, AI, Beyreuther, K and Masters, CL (1997). The metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease and dietary zinc. 5th International Conference on Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders, Osaka Japan, Jul 24-29, 1996. CHICHESTER: JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.

The metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease and dietary zinc

1996

Conference Publication

The effect of oral zinc supplementation on the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease in human plasma and rat brain

Whyte, S., Currie, J., Maruff, P., Malone, V., Coulson, E.J., Beyreuther, K. and Masters, C.L. (1996). The effect of oral zinc supplementation on the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease in human plasma and rat brain. The Fifth International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Osaka, Japan, 1996. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0197-4580(96)80326-5

The effect of oral zinc supplementation on the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease in human plasma and rat brain

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

    Detecting risk of dementia in people with sleep apnoea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Philip Terrill

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Role of Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons in Glymphatic Function - Insights and Neuroimaging Perspectives

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effectiveness of Non-invasive Ventilation for the treatment of nocturnal hypoventilation in Myotonic Dystrophy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kwun Fong

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing imaging and neuro-technologies for decoding memory formation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang

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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