Professor

Helen Cooper

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66354

Background

Helen obtained her PhD in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Melbourne. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Research Institute (San Diego) before being recruited to the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Melbourne) and then the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to establish her own laboratory. In 2003 she joined The University of Queensland as an inaugural Group Leader and Head of the Neural Migration Laboratory at the Queensland Brain Institute. Her research explores the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the development of the neocortex.

Availability

Professor Helen Cooper is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Neurosciences Organic chemistry

Research interests

  • Understanding brain development and the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders.

    The neocortex is the seat of consciousness, memory, creativity and language. These very human traits emerge as a consequence of the complex architecture of the cortex which is established during embryonic development. The Cooper Lab is dedicated to uncovering the fundamental principles underpinning brain development and to identifying the molecular defects underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Our research investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms that shape the neocortex. A central focus of our work is defining the receptor signalling networks that regulate neural stem cell function, the birth of new neurons, and the formation of the neural circuits that enable communication throughout the brain. We have identified key signalling pathways that, when disrupted, lead to cortical malformations such as heterotopias and hydrocephalus. These findings have yielded significant insights into the origins of human neurodevelopmental disorders and revealed intriguing links to conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.

Search Professor Helen Cooper’s works on UQ eSpace

98 works between 1984 and 2024
All (98) Journal Article (95) Book Chapter (1) Other Outputs (2)

1 - 20 of 98 works

2024

Journal Article

BDNF-dependent nano-organization of Neogenin and the WAVE regulatory complex promotes actin remodeling in dendritic spines

Shohayeb, Belal, Sempert, Kai, Wallis, Tristan P., Meunier, Frédéric A., Durisic, Nela, O'Brien, Elizabeth A., Flores, Cecilia and Cooper, Helen M. (2024). BDNF-dependent nano-organization of Neogenin and the WAVE regulatory complex promotes actin remodeling in dendritic spines. iScience, 27 (9) 110621, 110621. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110621

BDNF-dependent nano-organization of Neogenin and the WAVE regulatory complex promotes actin remodeling in dendritic spines

2023

Journal Article

RGMa and Neogenin control dendritic spine morphogenesis via WAVE Regulatory Complex-mediated actin remodeling

Sempert, Kai, Shohayeb, Belal, Lanoue, Vanessa, O’Brien, Elizabeth A., Flores, Cecilia and Cooper, Helen M. (2023). RGMa and Neogenin control dendritic spine morphogenesis via WAVE Regulatory Complex-mediated actin remodeling. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 16 1253801. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1253801

RGMa and Neogenin control dendritic spine morphogenesis via WAVE Regulatory Complex-mediated actin remodeling

2023

Journal Article

Embryonic stem cell-derived neurons as a model system for epigenome maturation during development

Martin, Sally, Poppe, Daniel, Olova, Nelly, O’Leary, Conor, Ivanova, Elena, Pflueger, Jahnvi, Dechka, Jennifer, Simmons, Rebecca K., Cooper, Helen M., Reik, Wolf, Lister, Ryan and Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2023). Embryonic stem cell-derived neurons as a model system for epigenome maturation during development. Genes, 14 (5) 957. doi: 10.3390/genes14050957

Embryonic stem cell-derived neurons as a model system for epigenome maturation during development

2023

Journal Article

The ups and downs of Pax6 in neural stem cells

Shohayeb, Belal and Cooper, Helen M. (2023). The ups and downs of Pax6 in neural stem cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 299 (5) 104680, 104680. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104680

The ups and downs of Pax6 in neural stem cells

2022

Journal Article

Hydrocephalus in Nfix−/− mice is underpinned by changes in ependymal cell physiology

Harkins, Danyon, Harvey, Tracey J., Atterton, Cooper, Miller, Ingrid, Currey, Laura, Oishi, Sabrina, Kasherman, Maria, Davila, Raul Ayala, Harris, Lucy, Green, Kathryn, Piper, Hannah, Parton, Robert G., Thor, Stefan, Cooper, Helen M. and Piper, Michael (2022). Hydrocephalus in Nfix−/− mice is underpinned by changes in ependymal cell physiology. Cells, 11 (15) 2377, 1-27. doi: 10.3390/cells11152377

Hydrocephalus in Nfix−/− mice is underpinned by changes in ependymal cell physiology

2021

Journal Article

Pkd1 and Wnt5a genetically interact to control lymphatic vascular morphogenesis in mice

Chau, Tevin CY., Baek, Sungmin, Coxam, Baptiste, Skoczylas, Renae, Rondon‐Galeano, Maria, Bower, Neil I., Wainwright, Elanor N., Stacker, Steven A., Cooper, Helen M., Koopman, Peter A., Lagendijk, Anne K., Harvey, Natasha L., François, Mathias and Hogan, Benjamin M. (2021). Pkd1 and Wnt5a genetically interact to control lymphatic vascular morphogenesis in mice. Developmental Dynamics, 251 (2) dvdy.390, 336-349. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.390

Pkd1 and Wnt5a genetically interact to control lymphatic vascular morphogenesis in mice

2021

Journal Article

Conservation of neural progenitor identity and the emergence of neocortical neuronal diversity

Shohayeb, Belal, Muzar, Zukhrofi and Cooper, Helen M. (2021). Conservation of neural progenitor identity and the emergence of neocortical neuronal diversity. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 118, 4-13. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.024

Conservation of neural progenitor identity and the emergence of neocortical neuronal diversity

2021

Journal Article

DCC regulates astroglial development essential for telencephalic morphogenesis and corpus callosum formation

Morcom, Laura, Gobius, Ilan, Marsh, Ashley P. L., Suárez, Rodrigo, Lim, Jonathan W. C., Bridges, Caitlin, Ye, Yunan, Fenlon, Laura R., Zagar, Yvrick, Douglass, Amelia M., Donahoo, Amber-Lee, Fothergill, Thomas, Shaikh, Samreen, Kozulin, Peter, Edwards, Timothy J., Cooper, Helen M., IRC5 Consortium, Sherr, Elliott H., Chédotal, Alain, Leventer, Richard J., Lockhart, Paul J. and Richards, Linda J. (2021). DCC regulates astroglial development essential for telencephalic morphogenesis and corpus callosum formation. eLife, 10 e61769, 1-35. doi: 10.7554/eLife.61769

DCC regulates astroglial development essential for telencephalic morphogenesis and corpus callosum formation

2021

Journal Article

Mosaic synapses in epilepsy

Shohayeb, Belal and Cooper, Helen M. (2021). Mosaic synapses in epilepsy. Science, 372 (6539), 235-236. doi: 10.1126/science.abh3555

Mosaic synapses in epilepsy

2021

Journal Article

Mechanisms of cortical development: From the embryo to adulthood

Cooper, Helen M. and Flores, Cecilia (2021). Mechanisms of cortical development: From the embryo to adulthood. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 118, 1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.08.012

Mechanisms of cortical development: From the embryo to adulthood

2020

Journal Article

The role of lipids in ependymal development and the modulation of adult neural stem cell function during aging and disease

Harkins, Danyon, Cooper, Helen M. and Piper, Michael (2020). The role of lipids in ependymal development and the modulation of adult neural stem cell function during aging and disease. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 112, 61-68. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.07.018

The role of lipids in ependymal development and the modulation of adult neural stem cell function during aging and disease

2020

Journal Article

Dopamine axon targeting in the nucleus accumbens in adolescence requires netrin-1

Cuesta, Santiago, Nouel, Dominique, Reynolds, Lauren M., Morgunova, Alice, Torres-Berrío, Angélica, White, Amanda, Hernandez, Giovanni, Cooper, Helen M. and Flores, Cecilia (2020). Dopamine axon targeting in the nucleus accumbens in adolescence requires netrin-1. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8 487, 487. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00487

Dopamine axon targeting in the nucleus accumbens in adolescence requires netrin-1

2020

Journal Article

Draxin-mediated regulation of granule cell progenitor differentiation in the postnatal hippocampal dentate gyrus

Tawarayama, Hiroshi, Yamada, Hirohisa, Amin, Ruhul, Morita-Fujimura, Yuiko, Cooper, Helen M, Shinmyo, Yohei, Tanaka, Hideaki and Ikawa, Shuntaro (2020). Draxin-mediated regulation of granule cell progenitor differentiation in the postnatal hippocampal dentate gyrus. Neuroscience, 431, 184-192. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.005

Draxin-mediated regulation of granule cell progenitor differentiation in the postnatal hippocampal dentate gyrus

2020

Journal Article

Adherens junctions: guardians of cortical development

Veeraval, Lenin, O’Leary, Conor J. and Cooper, Helen M. (2020). Adherens junctions: guardians of cortical development. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8 6, 6. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00006

Adherens junctions: guardians of cortical development

2020

Journal Article

WNT5a regulates epithelial morphogenesis in the developing choroid plexus

Langford, Michael B., O'Leary, Conor J., Veeraval, Lenin, White, Amanda, Lanoue, Vanessa and Cooper, Helen M. (2020). WNT5a regulates epithelial morphogenesis in the developing choroid plexus. Cerebral Cortex, 30 (6), 3617-3631. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhz330

WNT5a regulates epithelial morphogenesis in the developing choroid plexus

2019

Journal Article

Loss of Neogenin1 in human colorectal carcinoma cells causes a partial EMT and wound-healing response

Chaturvedi, Vishal, Fournier-Level, Alexandre, Cooper, Helen M. and Murray, Michael J. (2019). Loss of Neogenin1 in human colorectal carcinoma cells causes a partial EMT and wound-healing response. Scientific Reports, 9 (1) 4110, 4110. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40886-y

Loss of Neogenin1 in human colorectal carcinoma cells causes a partial EMT and wound-healing response

2019

Journal Article

Branching mechanisms shaping dendrite architecture

Lanoue, Vanessa and Cooper, Helen M. (2019). Branching mechanisms shaping dendrite architecture. Developmental Biology, 451 (1), 16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.12.005

Branching mechanisms shaping dendrite architecture

2018

Journal Article

Brain targeting delivery facilitated by ligand-functionalized layered double hydroxide nanoparticles

Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Zhang, Enqi, Li, Li, Henrich-Noack, Petra, Cooper, Helen M., Qian, Yujin and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Brain targeting delivery facilitated by ligand-functionalized layered double hydroxide nanoparticles. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 10 (24) acsami.8b04613, 20326-20333. doi: 10.1021/acsami.8b04613

Brain targeting delivery facilitated by ligand-functionalized layered double hydroxide nanoparticles

2018

Journal Article

Draxin regulates hippocampal neurogenesis in the postnatal dentate gyrus by inhibiting DCC-induced apoptosis

Tawarayama, Hiroshi, Yamada, Hirohisa, Amin, Ruhul, Morita-Fujimura, Yuiko, Cooper, Helen M., Shinmyo, Yohei, Kawata, Masakado, Ikawa, Shuntaro and Tanaka, Hideaki (2018). Draxin regulates hippocampal neurogenesis in the postnatal dentate gyrus by inhibiting DCC-induced apoptosis. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 840, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19346-6

Draxin regulates hippocampal neurogenesis in the postnatal dentate gyrus by inhibiting DCC-induced apoptosis

2017

Journal Article

DCC mutation update: Congenital mirror movements, isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum, and developmental split brain syndrome

Marsh, Ashley P. L., Edwards, Timothy J., Galea, Charles, Cooper, Helen M., Engle, Elizabeth C., Jamuar, Saumya S., Méneret, Aurélie, Moutard, Marie-Laure, Nava, Caroline, Rastetter, Agnès, Robinson, Gail, Rouleau, Guy, Roze, Emmanuel, Smith, Megan, Trouillard, Oriane, Billette de Villemeur, Thierry, Walsh, Christopher A., Yu, Timothy W., IRC5 Consortium, Heron, Delphine, Sherr, Elliott H., Richards, Linda J., Depienne, Christel, Leventer, Richard J. and Lockhart, Paul J. (2017). DCC mutation update: Congenital mirror movements, isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum, and developmental split brain syndrome. Human Mutation, 39 (1), 23-39. doi: 10.1002/humu.23361

DCC mutation update: Congenital mirror movements, isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum, and developmental split brain syndrome

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    Neuroscience research at the Queensland Brain Institute
    Alison and Jamie Nicol
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    QBI circRNA Research
    The McCusker Charitable Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    QBI Dementia Research
    The McCusker Charitable Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Identifying novel factors that control ependymal cell production: a potential approach for the repair of the hydrocephalic brain
    The Donald & Joan Wilson Foundation Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Identifying an autism gene network governing stem cell division, neurogenesis and cortical malformation
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Identifying a molecular signalling network governing spine morphogenesis
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Histology and Advanced Microscopy Research Facility upgrade
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Aberrant ependymal development and the formation of hydrocephalus
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Light-sheet microscope for high-speed 3D imaging of live organisms and fixed tissue
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Computerised stereotaxic stages and rapid tissue processor for enhanced fixation and immunolabelling
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Spectral Applied Research spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed 3D imaging of tissue and live organisms
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Dissecting the role of RYK in cortical neuron specification and schizophrenia
    NHMRC Project 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
  • 2014 - 2017
    Understanding the embryonic origins of cortical malformations
    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 - 2014
    Neogenin: a molecular determinant of neural progenitor polarity and function
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Zebrafish Aquarium-Genetic Screening, Nursery and Importation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Neogenin: a regulator of neuronal differentiation and migration in the adult brain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Zebrafish Aquarium - expand capacity of existing Zebrafish facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Smart Futures Fellowship: Development of LDH nanoparticles as an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseses
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2009
    AKTA Explorer Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography Equipment
    UQ Institute Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Neogenin regulates progenitor division and interneuron migration in the developing forebrain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The role of Netrin-DCC in the development of the corpus callosum
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Wnt-Ryk signaling in the establishment of major axon tracts in the embryonic mouse brain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Developmental Imaging Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Zeiss Cryo-Star cryostat
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Tailoring of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles for effective delivery of biologically active peptides and cDNAs
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    ARC Research Network in Microarray Technology
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Dissecting the molecular mechanism driving neuronal migration triggered by the Netrin Receptor, Neogenin
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Role Of Netrin-3 In Motor Axon Innervation And The Establishment Of Synapses
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Understanding the pathophysiological role of the orphan nuclear receptor, Nurr1 in neurological disease: pharmacogenomic identification of Nurr1 genes
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Protein targeting and signal transduction (NHMRC Project Grant -- transfer from BFI Grant)
    NHMRC Project Grant - Standard
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Helen Cooper is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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