![Professor Frederic Meunier](/sites/default/files/profiles/1305.jpeg)
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
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
2024
Journal Article
<scp>SV2A</scp> controls the surface nanoclustering and endocytic recruitment of Syt1 during synaptic vesicle recycling
Small, Christopher, Harper, Callista, Jiang, Anmin, Kontaxi, Christiana, Pronot, Marie, Yak, Nyakuoy, Malapaka, Anusha, Davenport, Elizabeth C., Wallis, Tristan P., Gormal, Rachel S., Joensuu, Merja, Martínez‐Mármol, Ramón, Cousin, Michael A. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). SV2A controls the surface nanoclustering and endocytic recruitment of Syt1 during synaptic vesicle recycling. Journal of Neurochemistry. doi: 10.1111/jnc.16186
2024
Journal Article
<i>PMP22</i> duplication dysregulates lipid homeostasis and plasma membrane organization in developing human Schwann cells
Prior, Robert, Silva, Alessio, Vangansewinkel, Tim, Idkowiak, Jakub, Tharkeshwar, Arun Kumar, Hellings, Tom P, Michailidou, Iliana, Vreijling, Jeroen, Loos, Maarten, Koopmans, Bastijn, Vlek, Nina, Agaser, Cedrick, Kuipers, Thomas B, Michiels, Christine, Rossaert, Elisabeth, Verschoren, Stijn, Vermeire, Wendy, de Laat, Vincent, Dehairs, Jonas, Eggermont, Kristel, van den Biggelaar, Diede, Bademosi, Adekunle T, Meunier, Frederic A, vandeVen, Martin, Van Damme, Philip, Mei, Hailiang, Swinnen, Johannes V, Lambrichts, Ivo, Baas, Frank ... Van Den Bosch, Ludo (2024). PMP22 duplication dysregulates lipid homeostasis and plasma membrane organization in developing human Schwann cells. Brain. doi: 10.1093/brain/awae158
2024
Journal Article
Dynamin1 long- and short-tail isoforms exploit distinct recruitment and spatial patterns to form endocytic nanoclusters
Jiang, Anmin, Kudo, Kye, Gormal, Rachel S., Ellis, Sevannah, Guo, Sikao, Wallis, Tristan P., Longfield, Shanley F., Robinson, Phillip J., Johnson, Margaret E., Joensuu, Merja and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). Dynamin1 long- and short-tail isoforms exploit distinct recruitment and spatial patterns to form endocytic nanoclusters. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 4060, 1-21. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47677-8
2024
Journal Article
Actomyosin-II protects axons from degeneration induced by mild mechanical stress
Pan, Xiaorong, Hu, Yiqing, Lei, Gaowei, Wei, Yaxuan, Li, Jie, Luan, Tongshu, Zhang, Yunfan, Chu, Yuanyuan, Feng, Yu, Zhan, Wenrong, Zhao, Chunxia, Meunier, Frédéric A., Liu, Yifan, Li, Yi and Wang, Tong (2024). Actomyosin-II protects axons from degeneration induced by mild mechanical stress. Journal of Cell Biology, 223 (8) e202206046. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202206046
2024
Journal Article
Phospholipase modulation of synaptic membrane landscape: driving force behind memory formation?
Wallis, Tristan P. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). Phospholipase modulation of synaptic membrane landscape: driving force behind memory formation?. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 16 (4) a041405, 1-16. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041405
2024
Journal Article
Synapsin 2a tetramerisation selectively controls the presynaptic nanoscale organisation of reserve synaptic vesicles
Longfield, Shanley F., Gormal, Rachel S., Feller, Matis, Parutto, Pierre, Reingruber, Jürgen, Wallis, Tristan P., Joensuu, Merja, Augustine, George J., Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Holcman, David and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). Synapsin 2a tetramerisation selectively controls the presynaptic nanoscale organisation of reserve synaptic vesicles. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 2217, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46256-1
2024
Journal Article
The DDHD2-STXBP1 interaction mediates long-term memory via generation of saturated free fatty acids
Akefe, Isaac O, Saber, Saber H., Matthews, Benjamin, Venkatesh, Bharat G., Gormal, Rachel S., Blackmore, Daniel G., Alexander, Suzy, Sieriecki, Emma, Gambin, Yann, Bertran-Gonzalez, Jesus, Vitale, Nicolas, Humeau, Yann, Gaudin, Arnaud, Ellis, Sevannah A., Michaels, Alysee A., Xue, Mingshan, Cravatt, Benjamin, Joensuu, Merja, Wallis, Tristan P. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). The DDHD2-STXBP1 interaction mediates long-term memory via generation of saturated free fatty acids. The EMBO Journal, 43 (4), 533-567. doi: 10.1038/s44318-024-00030-7
2024
Journal Article
Location, location, location: Protein kinase nanoclustering for optimised signalling output
Gormal, Rachel S., Martinez-Marmol, Ramon, Brooks, Andrew J. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). Location, location, location: Protein kinase nanoclustering for optimised signalling output. eLife, 13 ARTN e93902, 1-21. doi: 10.7554/elife.93902
2024
Journal Article
BoNT-A Targets Sensitized TRPV1-Positive DRG Neurons at Therapeutic Concentrations
Syed, Parnayan, Gormal, Rachel S., Sondergaard, Birgitte, Nelson, Mariana, Broide, Ron S. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2024). BoNT-A Targets Sensitized TRPV1-Positive DRG Neurons at Therapeutic Concentrations. Toxicon, 237 107497, 107497. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107497
2024
Other Outputs
Dynamin1 long- and short-tail isoforms exploit distinct recruitment and spatial patterns to form endocytic nanoclusters
Gormal, Rachel, Jiang, Anmin, Meunier, Frederic, Jiang, Anmin, Longfield, Shanley, Bouquet, Mahe and Kudo, Kye (2024). Dynamin1 long- and short-tail isoforms exploit distinct recruitment and spatial patterns to form endocytic nanoclusters. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/5d9371d
2024
Journal Article
Interrogation and validation of the interactome of neuronal Munc18-interacting Mint proteins with AlphaFold2
Weeratunga, Saroja, Gormal, Rachel S., Liu, Meihan, Eldershaw, Denaye, Livingstone, Emma K., Malapaka, Anusha, Wallis, Tristan P., Bademosi, Adekunle T., Jiang, Anmin, Healy, Michael D., Meunier, Frederic A. and Collins, Brett M. (2024). Interrogation and validation of the interactome of neuronal Munc18-interacting Mint proteins with AlphaFold2. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 300 (1) 105541, 105541. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105541
2024
Other Outputs
Longfield et al_2024_Synapsin
Meunier, Frederic, Bouquet, Mahe and Longfield, Shanley (2024). Longfield et al_2024_Synapsin. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/be3832e
2023
Conference Publication
Dissection of alpha‐synuclein specific synaptic functions by gene editing
Madhivanan, Kayalvizhi, Parra‐Rivas, Leonardo A., Joensuu, Merja, Sanders, Shanley, Caballero‐Florán, René, Bingham, Dominic, Sharma, Rohan, Jenkins, Paul M., Leterrier, Christophe, Meunier, Frederic A. and Roy, Subhojit (2023). Dissection of alpha‐synuclein specific synaptic functions by gene editing. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference AAIC 2023, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 16-20 July 2023. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/alz.082510
2023
Journal Article
SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids
Stewart, Romal, Yan, Kexin, Ellis, Sevannah A., Bishop, Cameron R., Dumenil, Troy, Tang, Bing, Nguyen, Wilson, Larcher, Thibaut, Parry, Rhys, Sng, Julian De Jun, Khromykh, Alexander A., Sullivan, Robert K. P., Lor, Mary, Meunier, Frédéric A., Rawle, Daniel J. and Suhrbier, Andreas (2023). SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14 1320856, 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1320856
2023
Journal Article
Fear extinction is regulated by the activity of long noncoding RNAs at the synapse
Liau, Wei-Siang, Zhao, Qiongyi, Bademosi, Adekunle, Gormal, Rachel S., Gong, Hao, Marshall, Paul R., Periyakaruppiah, Ambika, Madugalle, Sachithrani U., Zajaczkowski, Esmi L., Leighton, Laura J., Ren, Haobin, Musgrove, Mason, Davies, Joshua, Rauch, Simone, He, Chuan, Dickinson, Bryan C., Li, Xiang, Wei, Wei, Meunier, Frédéric A., Fernández-Moya, Sandra M., Kiebler, Michael A., Srinivasan, Balakumar, Banerjee, Sourav, Clark, Michael, Spitale, Robert C. and Bredy, Timothy W. (2023). Fear extinction is regulated by the activity of long noncoding RNAs at the synapse. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 7616, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-43535-1
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Frederic Meunier is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Tracking the dynamics of transsynaptic nanocolumns during synaptic transmission and plasticity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard, Dr Adekunle Bademosi
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Doctor Philosophy
The Nanoscale Characterisation of Synaptic Vesicle Pools
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol
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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
Investigating the role of myristic acid in memory and learning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tristan Wallis
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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
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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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
Characterization and role of lateral trapping and nanocluster organization of the endocytic machinery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Merja Joensuu
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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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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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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
Other advisors: Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol
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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 Jürgen 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
Role of myosin VI in neuroexocytosis
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The regulation of membrane trafficking pathways at the presynaptic nerve terminal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Coulson
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Role of Munc18-1 in regulating neuroexocytosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Coulson, 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 Jürgen 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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