Overview
Background
Professor Frederic Meunier obtained his Masters degree in Neurophysiology at the Paris XI University, France in 1992 and completed his Ph.D in Neurobiology at the CNRS in Gif-sur-Yvette, France in 1996. He was the recipient of a European Biotechnology Fellowship and went on to postgraduate work at the Department of Biochemistry at Imperial College (1997-1999) and at Cancer Research UK (2000-2002) in London, UK. After a short sabbatical at the LMB-MRC in Cambridge (UK), he became a group leader at the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland (Australia) in 2003. He joined the Queensland Brain Institute of the University of Queensland in 2007 and obtained an NHMRC senior research fellowship in 2009 renewed in 2014 with promotion. He became Professor in 2014 at the Queensland Brain Institute and is currently part of the Centre for Ageing Dementia Research.
Availability
- Professor Frederic Meunier is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Nanoscale organisation of the synapse
Use of single molecule imaging to track botulinum neurotoxin interaction with the neuronal membrane Use of single molecule imaging to uncover the change in presynaptic nanoscale organization occurring during neurotransmitter release (endocytosis) Use of single molecule imaging to uncover the change in presynaptic nanoscale organization occurring during neurotransmitter release (exocytosis)
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Track epigenetic modifications elicited by synaptic plasticity associated with memory
Understanding how memory is encoded in neurons require a deeper understanding of how pre- and post-synaptic plasticity affect the mesoscale organisation of our DNA via epigenetic modifications.
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PROJECT 3: Synaptic remodelling.
Neurotrophins are signalling molecules capable of inducing neurite outgrowth but it is not clear how they can affect the overall physiology of the neuron when the soma is located as far away as 1 metre from the site of uptake. Our strategy will be to establish a versatile and accessible in vitro model based on compartmentalised cultures (Campenot chambers) closely matching the reality of the neuromuscular system. The principle is to monitor and analyse neurite outgrowth and establishment of functional synapses with myocytes in communicant chambers. The binding, uptake, packaging of neurotrophic factors, their retrograde transport and eventual delivery will be investigated with a series of technical approaches ranging from classical binding studies to imaging of synaptic activity, time-lapse fluorescent video microscopy imaging of fluorescently-tagged factors and immunocytochemical approaches.
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Nanoscale initiation of neurodegenerative diseases
Use of single molecule imaging to uncover the change in Fyn and associated signalling cascade occurring during the development of Alzheimer’s disease Use of single molecule imaging to uncover the change in a-synuclein nanoscale organization in neurons associated with various disease-causing mutations
Research impacts
2017 Sneak peek at the nanoworld of our cells
2017 2 million help understand human brain
16/04/15 Botox makes unnerving journey our nervous system
04/03/15 Molecular casting net triggers hormone release
29/01/15 Squeezing cytoskeletal ring maintains hormonal release
08/10/14 Rare infant epilepsy under microscope
01/04/14 http://qbi.uq.edu.au/content/first-super-resolution-microscopes-queensland
14/03/14 http://qbi.uq.edu.au/content/hope-stroke-treatment-stop-damage
09/12/13 http://qbi.uq.edu.au/content/new-type-of-plasticity-neurosecretory-cells
Works
Search Professor Frederic Meunier’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2017
Journal Article
Visualizing endocytic recycling and trafficking in live neurons by subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules
Joensuu, Merja, Martinez-Marmol, Ramon, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Glass, Nick R., Durisic, Nela, Pelekanos, Matthew, Mollazade, Mahdie, Balistreri, Giuseppe, Amor, Rumelo, Cooper-White, Justin J., Goodhill, Geoffrey J. and Meunier, Frederic A. (2017). Visualizing endocytic recycling and trafficking in live neurons by subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules. Nature Protocols, 12 (12), 2590-2622. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2017.116
Featured
2016
Journal Article
In vivo single-molecule imaging of syntaxin1A reveals polyphosphoinositide- and activity-dependent trapping in presynaptic nanoclusters
Bademosi, Adekunle T., Lauwers, Elsa, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Odierna, Lorenzo, Chai, Ye Jin, Papadopulos, Andreas, Goodhill, Geoffrey J., Verstreken, Patrik, Van Swinderen, Bruno and Meunier, Frederic A. (2016). In vivo single-molecule imaging of syntaxin1A reveals polyphosphoinositide- and activity-dependent trapping in presynaptic nanoclusters. Nature Communications, 7 (1) 13660, 13660. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13660
Featured
2016
Journal Article
The Munc18-1 domain 3a hinge-loop controls syntaxin-1A nanodomain assembly and engagement with the SNARE complex during secretory vesicle priming
Kasula, Ravikiran, Chai, Ye Jin, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Harper, Callista B., Gormal, Rachel S., Morrow, Isabel C., Hosy, Eric, Collins, Brett M., Choquet, Daniel, Papadopulos, Andreas and Meunier, Frederic A. (2016). The Munc18-1 domain 3a hinge-loop controls syntaxin-1A nanodomain assembly and engagement with the SNARE complex during secretory vesicle priming. The Journal of Cell Biology, 214 (7) 847, 847-858. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201508118
Featured
2016
Journal Article
Munc18-1 is a molecular chaperone for α-synuclein, controlling its self-replicating aggregation
Chai, Ye Jin, Sierecki, Emma, Tomatis, Vanesa M., Gormal, Rachel S., Giles, Nichole, Morrow, Isabel C., Xia, Di, Götz, Jürgen, Parton, Robert G., Collins, Brett M., Gambin, Yann and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2016). Munc18-1 is a molecular chaperone for α-synuclein, controlling its self-replicating aggregation. The Journal of Cell Biology, 214 (6) 705, 705-718. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201512016
2026
Journal Article
Equinatoxin II: How a Cationic Pore-Forming Sea Anemone Toxin Drives Nodal Swelling of Myelinated Nerve Fibers
Benoit, Evelyne, Frangež, Robert, Ouanounou, Gilles, Meunier, Frédéric A., Šuput, Dusan and Molgó, Jordi (2026). Equinatoxin II: How a Cationic Pore-Forming Sea Anemone Toxin Drives Nodal Swelling of Myelinated Nerve Fibers. Marine Drugs, 24 (5), 187. doi: 10.3390/md24050187
2026
Journal Article
A versatile nanobody platform for live and super-resolution imaging of synaptic vesicle dynamics and plasticity in rodent and human neurons
Goel, Rashi, Jevdokimenko, Kristina, Rehm, Ronja, Hentze, Jannik, Agui-Gonzalez, Paola, Ninov, Momchil, Maier, Erik, Wu, Yin, Lange, Felix, Witkowska, Agata, Bolz, Svenja, Pennacchietti, Francesca, Damenti, Martina, Kaempf, Natalie, Khayenko, Vladimir, Calatayud, Carles, Malviya, Viveka Nand, Chanaday, Natali L., Hutchinson, Emma Scaletti, Liu, Hao, Weyand, Kirsten, Schwarze, Valentin, Ivanova, Daniela, Wallis, Tristan P., Small, Christopher, Maric, Hans M., Joensuu, Merja, Cousin, Michael A., Meunier, Frederic A. ... Fornasiero, Eugenio F. (2026). A versatile nanobody platform for live and super-resolution imaging of synaptic vesicle dynamics and plasticity in rodent and human neurons. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 24 (1) 443. doi: 10.1186/s12951-026-04489-w
2026
Book Chapter
Super-resolution spinning-disk confocal microscopy using optical photon reassignment (SoRa)
Steeves, Sevannah A., Saber, Saber H., Chen, Mo and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2026). Super-resolution spinning-disk confocal microscopy using optical photon reassignment (SoRa). Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 29-43) edited by Frederic A. Meunier. New York, NY United States: Humana New York. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_3
2026
Book Chapter
Single-molecule localization microscopy with fixed photoactivatable fluorescent proteins and direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy
Amor, Rumelo, Malapaka, Anusha, McCann, Alex J., Meunier, Frédéric A. and Longfield, Shanley F. (2026). Single-molecule localization microscopy with fixed photoactivatable fluorescent proteins and direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy. Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 71-109) edited by Frederic A. Meunier. New York, NY United States: Humana New York. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_5
2026
Journal Article
Dynamic regulation of neuronal vault trafficking and RNA cargo by the noncoding RNA, Vaultrc5
Musgrove, Mason R. B., Leighton, Laura J., Lebouc, Margaux, Liau, Wei-Siang, Walsh, Alexander D., Marshall, Paul R., Heyworth, Stephanie M., Bademosi, Adekunle T., Hertrich, Nathalie, Zhao, Qiongyi, Madugalle, Sachithrani U., Periyakaruppiah, Ambika, Li, Xiang, Davies, Joshua W. A., Ren, Haobin, Gong, Hao, Zajaczkowski, Esmi L., Dehorter, Nathalie, Meunier, Frederic, Mikhaylova, Marina and Bredy, Timothy W. (2026). Dynamic regulation of neuronal vault trafficking and RNA cargo by the noncoding RNA, Vaultrc5. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 225 108161, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2026.108161
2026
Journal Article
Latrophilin-1-Mediated Gαq Signaling, Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry, and CaV2.1 Activation Control Spontaneous Exocytosis at the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction
Petitto, Evelina, Meunier, Frédéric A., Fidalgo, Sara, Colasante, Cesare, Blackburn, Jennifer K., Ribchester, Richard R. and Ushkaryov, Yuri A. (2026). Latrophilin-1-Mediated Gαq Signaling, Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry, and CaV2.1 Activation Control Spontaneous Exocytosis at the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction. Cells, 15 (9) 821, 821. doi: 10.3390/cells15090821
2026
Book Chapter
Case Study: Illuminating the Nanoscale World of Microbiology
Syed, Parnayan, Schembri, Mark A., McCann, Alex J. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2026). Case Study: Illuminating the Nanoscale World of Microbiology. Methods in Molecular Biology. (pp. 303-327) New York, NY: Springer US. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_14
2026
Book Chapter
Single-molecule localization microscopy in the nucleus with self-labelling tags: Halo, SNAP, and CLIP tags
McCann, Alex J. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2026). Single-molecule localization microscopy in the nucleus with self-labelling tags: Halo, SNAP, and CLIP tags. Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 145-170) edited by Frédéric A. Meunier. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_7
2026
Book Chapter
Spatiotemporal analysis of super-resolved live cell molecular trajectory data using nanoscale spatiotemporal indexing clustering
McCann, Alex J., Meunier, Frédéric A. and Wallis, Tristan P. (2026). Spatiotemporal analysis of super-resolved live cell molecular trajectory data using nanoscale spatiotemporal indexing clustering. Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 281-302) edited by Frédéric A. Meunier. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_13
2026
Book Chapter
Single-molecule localization microscopy in vivo at the drosophila neuromuscular junction
Kudo, Kye, Verstreken, Patrik, Meunier, Frédéric A. and Bademosi, Adekunle T. (2026). Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy in vivo at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction. Methods in Molecular Biology. (pp. 171-187) New York, NY: Springer US. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_8
2026
Book Chapter
Single particle tracking photo-activated localization microscopy
McCann, Alex J., Small, Christopher and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2026). Single particle tracking photo-activated localization microscopy. Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 111-144) edited by Frédéric A. Meunier. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_6
2026
Book Chapter
Single-molecule imaging of endogenous proteins
Malapaka, Anusha, Meunier, Frédéric A. and Gormal, Rachel S. (2026). Single-molecule imaging of endogenous proteins. Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 211-237) edited by Frédéric A. Meunier. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_10
2026
Book Chapter
Tracking synaptic vesicles in live neurons using single-molecule super-resolution microscopy
Longfield, Shanley F. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2026). Tracking synaptic vesicles in live neurons using single-molecule super-resolution microscopy. Super-resolution microscopy: methods and protocols. (pp. 189-209) edited by Frédéric A. Meunier. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5268-8_9
2026
Journal Article
Preface
Meunier, Frédéric A. (2026). Preface. Methods in Molecular Biology, 3034, v-vi.
2025
Journal Article
Fluorescent peptide tracers for simultaneous oxytocin receptor activation and visualization
Perisic Böhm, Monika, Kalaba, Predrag, Gormal, Rachel S., Zupančič, Maja, Wolf, Alexandra, Juračić, Mia, Kremsmayr, Thomas, Meunier, Frédéric A., Langer, Thierry, Gruber, Christian W., Keimpema, Erik and Muttenthaler, Markus (2025). Fluorescent peptide tracers for simultaneous oxytocin receptor activation and visualization. Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), 64 (46) e202515180, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/anie.202515180
2025
Journal Article
Fluoreszenzmarkierte Peptidtracer zur simultanen Aktivierung und Bildgebung des Oxytocinrezeptors
Perisic Böhm, Monika, Kalaba, Predrag, Gormal, Rachel S., Zupančič, Maja, Wolf, Alexandra, Juračić, Mia, Kremsmayr, Thomas, Meunier, Frédéric A., Langer, Thierry, Gruber, Christian W., Keimpema, Erik and Muttenthaler, Markus (2025). Fluoreszenzmarkierte Peptidtracer zur simultanen Aktivierung und Bildgebung des Oxytocinrezeptors. Angewandte Chemie, 137 (46) e202515180. doi: 10.1002/ange.202515180
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Frederic Meunier is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Dynamic nanoscale organisation of trans-synaptic nanocolumns
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Gormal, Dr Adekunle Bademosi
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Doctor Philosophy
Protein myristoylation in brain heath and disease
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Mechanism underpinning TDP43 aggregation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Gormal, Dr Adekunle Bademosi, Professor Adam Walker
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Doctor Philosophy
Role of FFAs in SARS-CoV-2 neuronal infection
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tristan Wallis
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of saturated free fatty acids in cognitive retention during ageing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tristan Wallis
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms governing the spatiotemporal clustering of cytoplasmic proteins at the presynapse
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adekunle Bademosi, Associate Professor Sean Millard
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the role of myristic acid in memory and learning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tristan Wallis
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Nanoscale organisation and impact of transmitted alpha-synuclein on neuronal trafficking in health and disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adekunle Bademosi
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Identifying Key Changes in Brain Free Fatty Acids Associated with Memory in Health, Ageing and Disease: A Mechanistic Study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tristan Wallis, Dr Merja Joensuu
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization and role of lateral trapping and nanocluster organization of the endocytic machinery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Merja Joensuu
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamic nanoclustering of synaptic proteins in health and disease: an examination of pre- and post-synaptic protein mobility in cell-to-cell communication
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Profiling Changes in Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolites during Memory Acquisition. Mechanism of Action.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tristan Wallis
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamic re-organisation of Munc18-1 and syntaxin-1A nanodomains on the plasma membrane of neurosecretory cells during exocytosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamic Reorganization of Presynaptic Proteins During Neurotransmission and Neuronal Degeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Professor Jurgen Götz
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Control of neurotransmission by diffusional properties of a presynaptic plasma membrane protein - syntaxin1A
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruno van Swinderen
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Unravelling Changes In Lipid Composition In Stimulated Neurons And Neurosecretory Cells By Quantitative Lipid Profiling
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The regulation of membrane trafficking pathways at the presynaptic nerve terminal
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Role of myosin VI in neuroexocytosis
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Role of Munc18-1 in regulating neuroexocytosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Role and regulation of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in neuroexocytosis
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the role of circular RNA in fear-related learning and memory
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Bredy
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular Basis of Transcription Factor Search Patterns: In Development and Disease
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Neogenin and RGMa in Dendritic Spine Morphogenesis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Helen Cooper
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2018
Master Philosophy
Developing novel approaches toward spatiotemporally-controlled capture of nascent RNA in neurons
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Bredy
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The molecular mechanism of the Tau-Fyn interaction and dendritic targeting in neurons
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jurgen Götz
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The role of Neogenin in epithelial morphogenesis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Helen Cooper
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Frederic Meunier directly for media enquiries about:
- Brain cells
- Cell biology
- Electrophysiology
- Endocytosis
- In-vivo imaging of synaptic activity
- Nerves in the brain
- Neuroscience
- Neurotoxin
- Synaptic activity - brain
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