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
2022
Other Outputs
Syt1-SV2A nanoclustering during SV recycling
Gormal, Rachel, Meunier, Frederic, Small, Christopher, Yak, Nyakuoy, McCann, Alex and Jiang, Anmin (2022). Syt1-SV2A nanoclustering during SV recycling. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/179a9a8
2022
Book Chapter
Live-cell superresolution imaging of retrograde axonal trafficking using pulse–chase labeling in cultured hippocampal neurons
Wang, Tong and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2022). Live-cell superresolution imaging of retrograde axonal trafficking using pulse–chase labeling in cultured hippocampal neurons. Membrane trafficking: methods and protocols. (pp. 101-128) edited by Jingshi Shen. New York, NY, United States: Humana/Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2209-4_9
2022
Journal Article
Non-β-blocker enantiomers of propranolol and atenolol inhibit vasculogenesis in infantile hemangioma
Seebauer, Caroline T., Graus, Matthew S., Huang, Lan, McCann, Alex J., Wylie-Sears, Jill, Fontaine, Frank R., Karnezis, Tara, Zurakowski, David, Staffa, Steven J., Meunier, Frédéric A., Mulliken, John B., Bischoff, Joyce and Francois, Mathias (2022). Non-β-blocker enantiomers of propranolol and atenolol inhibit vasculogenesis in infantile hemangioma. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 132 (3) e151109. doi: 10.1172/jci151109
2021
Journal Article
A dominant-negative SOX18 mutant disrupts multiple regulatory layers essential to transcription factor activity
McCann, Alex J., Lou, Jieqiong, Moustaqil, Mehdi, Graus, Matthew S, Blum, Ailisa, Fontaine, Frank, Liu, Hui, Luu, Winnie, Rudolffi-Soto, Paulina, Koopman, Peter, Sierecki, Emma, Gambin, Yann, Meunier, Frédéric A., Liu, Zhe, Hinde, Elizabeth and Francois, Mathias (2021). A dominant-negative SOX18 mutant disrupts multiple regulatory layers essential to transcription factor activity. Nucleic Acids Research, 49 (19), 10931-10955. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkab820
2021
Journal Article
The axonal radial contractility: structural basis underlying a new form of neural plasticity
Pan, Xiaorong, Zhou, Yimin, Hotulainen, Pirta, Meunier, Frédéric A. and Wang, Tong (2021). The axonal radial contractility: structural basis underlying a new form of neural plasticity. BioEssays, 43 (8) 2100033, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/bies.202100033
2021
Journal Article
Saturated free fatty acids and association with memory formation
Wallis, Tristan P., Venkatesh, Bharat G., Narayana, Vinod K., Kvaskoff, David, Ho, Alan, Sullivan, Robert K., Windels, François, Sah, Pankaj and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2021). Saturated free fatty acids and association with memory formation. Nature Communications, 12 (1) 3443, 3443. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23840-3
2021
Other Outputs
Rat auditory fear conditioning quantified free fatty acid and phospholipid abundance data
Wallis, Tristan P. , Venkatesh, Bharat G. , Narayana, Vinod K. , Kvaskoff, David, Ho, Alan , Sullivan, Robert K. , Windels, François , Sah, Pankaj and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2021). Rat auditory fear conditioning quantified free fatty acid and phospholipid abundance data. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/12793dc
2021
Other Outputs
Pediatric nasal epithelial cells are less permissive to SARS-CoV-2 replication compared to adult cells
Zhu, Yanshan, Chew, Keng Yih, Wu, Melanie, Karawita, Anjana C., McCallum, Georgina, Steele, Lauren E, Yamamoto, Ayaho, Labzin, Larisa L., Yarlagadda, Tejasri, Khromykh, Alexander A., Wang, Xiaohui, Sng, Julian, Stocks, Claudia J., Xia, Yao, Kollmann, Tobias R., Martino, David, Joensuu, Merja, Meunier, Frédéric A., Balistreri, Giuseppe, Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Bowen, Asha C., Kicic, Anthony, Sly, Peter D., Spann, Kirsten M. and Short, Kirsty R. (2021). Pediatric nasal epithelial cells are less permissive to SARS-CoV-2 replication compared to adult cells. doi: 10.1101/2021.03.08.434300
2021
Journal Article
Caveolin-1 and cavin1 act synergistically to generate a unique lipid environment in caveolae
Zhou, Yong, Ariotti, Nicholas, Rae, James, Liang, Hong, Tillu, Vikas, Tee, Shern, Bastiani, Michele, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Collins, Brett M., Meunier, Frederic A., Hancock, John F. and Parton, Robert G. (2021). Caveolin-1 and cavin1 act synergistically to generate a unique lipid environment in caveolae. Journal of Cell Biology, 220 (3) e202005138. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202005138
2021
Book Chapter
Combining single molecule super-resolution imaging techniques to unravel the nanoscale organization of the presynapse
Small, Christopher, Martínez-Mármol, Ramon, Amor, Rumelo, Meunier, Frederic A. and Joensuu, Merja (2021). Combining single molecule super-resolution imaging techniques to unravel the nanoscale organization of the presynapse. Exocytosis and endocytosis: methods and protocols. (pp. 265-286) edited by Florence Niedergang, Nicolas Vitale and Stéphane Gasman. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1044-2_18
2020
Journal Article
Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies
Gormal, Rachel S., Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Kasula, Ravikiran, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Coakley, Sean, Giacomotto, Jean, Blum, Ailisa, Joensuu, Merja, Wallis, Tristan P., Lo, Harriet P., Budnar, Srikanth, Rae, James, Ferguson, Charles, Bastiani, Michele, Thomas, Walter G., Pardon, Els, Steyaert, Jan, Yap, Alpha S., Goodhill, Geoffrey J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Parton, Robert G. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2020). Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117 (48), 30476-30487. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2007443117
2020
Journal Article
Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infectivity
Cantuti-Castelvetri, Ludovico, Ojha, Ravi, Pedro, Liliana D., Djannatian, Minou, Franz, Jonas, Kuivanen, Suvi, van der Meer, Franziska, Kallio, Katri, Kaya, Tuğberk, Anastasina, Maria, Smura, Teemu, Levanov, Lev, Szirovicza, Leonora, Tobi, Allan, Kallio-Kokko, Hannimari, Österlund, Pamela, Joensuu, Merja, Meunier, Frédéric A., Butcher, Sarah J., Winkler, Martin Sebastian, Mollenhauer, Brit, Helenius, Ari, Gokce, Ozgun, Teesalu, Tambet, Hepojoki, Jussi, Vapalahti, Olli, Stadelmann, Christine, Balistreri, Giuseppe and Simons, Mikael (2020). Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infectivity. Science, 370 (6518) abd2985, 856-860. doi: 10.1126/science.abd2985
2020
Journal Article
An inverted CAV1 (caveolin 1) topology defines novel autophagy-dependent exosome secretion from prostate cancer cells
Ariotti, Nicholas, Wu, Yeping, Okano, Satomi, Gambin, Yann, Follett, Jordan, Rae, James, Ferguson, Charles, Teasdale, Rohan D., Alexandrov, Kirill, Meunier, Frederic A., Hill, Michelle M. and Parton, Robert G. (2020). An inverted CAV1 (caveolin 1) topology defines novel autophagy-dependent exosome secretion from prostate cancer cells. Autophagy, 17 (9), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1820787
2020
Other Outputs
Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and provides a possible pathway into the central nervous system
Cantuti-Castelvetri, Ludovico, Ojha, Ravi, Pedro, Liliana D., Djannatian, Minou, Franz, Jonas, Kuivanen, Suvi, Kallio, Katri, Kaya, Tuğberk, Anastasina, Maria, Smura, Teemu, Levanov, Lev, Szirovicza, Leonora, Tobi, Allan, Kallio-Kokko, Hannimari, Österlund, Pamela, Joensuu, Merja, Meunier, Frédéric A., Butcher, Sarah, Winkler, Martin Sebastian, Mollenhauer, Brit, Helenius, Ari, Gokce, Ozgun, Teesalu, Tambet, Hepojoki, Jussi, Vapalahti, Olli, Stadelmann, Christine, Balistreri, Giuseppe and Simons, Mikael (2020). Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and provides a possible pathway into the central nervous system. doi: 10.1101/2020.06.07.137802
2020
Journal Article
An epilepsy-associated SV2A mutation disrupts Synaptotagmin-1 expression and activity-dependent trafficking
Harper, Callista B., Small, Christopher, Davenport, Elizabeth C., Low, Darryl W., Smillie, Karen J., Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Meunier, Frédéric A. and Cousin, Michael A. (2020). An epilepsy-associated SV2A mutation disrupts Synaptotagmin-1 expression and activity-dependent trafficking. The Journal of Neuroscience, 40 (23), 4586-4595. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.0210-20.2020
2020
Journal Article
Radial contractility of actomyosin rings facilitates axonal trafficking and structural stability
Wang, Tong, Li, Wei, Martin, Sally, Papadopulos, Andreas, Joensuu, Merja, Liu, Chunxia, Jiang, Anmin, Shamsollahi, Golnoosh, Amor, Rumelo, Lanoue, Vanessa, Padmanabhan, Pranesh and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2020). Radial contractility of actomyosin rings facilitates axonal trafficking and structural stability. Journal of Cell Biology, 219 (5) e201902001, 1-S7. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201902001
2020
Book Chapter
Single-molecule imaging of recycling synaptic vesicles in live neurons
Joensuu, Merja, Martínez-Mármol, Ramon, Mollazade, Mahdie, Padmanabhan, Pranesh and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2020). Single-molecule imaging of recycling synaptic vesicles in live neurons. Single molecule microscopy in neurobiology. (pp. 81-114) edited by Nobuhiko Yamamoto and Yasushi Okada. New York, NY United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0532-5_5
2019
Journal Article
Phospholipases in neuronal function: a role in learning and memory?
Joensuu, Merja, Wallis, Tristan P., Saber, Saber H. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2019). Phospholipases in neuronal function: a role in learning and memory?. Journal of Neurochemistry, 153 (3) jnc.14918, e14918-333. doi: 10.1111/jnc.14918
2019
Journal Article
Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search
Brown, Peter, Tan, Aik-Choon, El-Esawi, Mohamed A., Liehr, Thomas, Blanck, Oliver, Gladue, Douglas P., Almeida, Gabriel M. F., Cernava, Tomislav, Sorzano, Carlos O., Yeung, Andy W. K., Engel, Michael S., Chandrasekaran, Arun Richard, Muth, Thilo, Staege, Martin S., Daulatabad, Swapna V., Widera, Darius, Zhang, Junpeng, Meule, Adrian, Honjo, Ken, Pourret, Olivier, Yin, Cong-Cong, Zhang, Zhongheng, Cascella, Marco, Flegel, Willy A., Goodyear, Carl S., van Raaij, Mark J., Bukowy-Bieryllo, Zuzanna, Campana, Luca G., Kurniawan, Nicholas A. ... RELISH Consortium (2019). Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search. Database-The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation, 2019 baz085, 1-67. doi: 10.1093/database/baz085
2019
Journal Article
p110δ PI 3-kinase inhibition perturbs APP and TNFα trafficking, reduces plaque burden, dampens neuroinflammation and prevents cognitive decline in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Mohannak, Nika, Qian, Lei, Wang, Tong, Gormal, Rachel S, Ruitenberg, Marc J, Vanhaesebroeck, Bart, Coulson, Elizabeth J and Meunier, Frédéric A (2019). p110δ PI 3-kinase inhibition perturbs APP and TNFα trafficking, reduces plaque burden, dampens neuroinflammation and prevents cognitive decline in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Journal of Neuroscience, 39 (40), 7976-7991. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0674-19.2019
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Frederic Meunier is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact 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
Mechanism underpinning TDP43 aggregation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Gormal, Dr Adekunle Bademosi, Associate Professor Adam Walker
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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
The role of saturated free fatty acids in cognitive retention during ageing
Associate 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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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Nanoscale Characterisation of Synaptic Vesicle Pools
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol
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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
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 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
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 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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