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

101 works between 1984 and 2024
All (101) Journal Article (98) Other Outputs (2) Book Chapter (1)

101 - 101 of 101 works

1984

Journal Article

Antibody response to myoglobins: effect of host species

Cooper, H.M., East, I.J., Todd, P.E.E. and Leach, S.J. (1984). Antibody response to myoglobins: effect of host species. Molecular Immunology, 21 (6), 479-487. doi: 10.1016/0161-5890(84)90063-4

Antibody response to myoglobins: effect of host species

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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Helen Cooper's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au