
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
2019
Journal Article
STXBP1 encephalopathy: connecting neurodevelopmental disorders with α-synucleinopathies?
Lanoue, Vanessa, Chai, Ye Jin, Brouillet, Julie Z., Weckhuysen, Sarah, Palmer, Elizabeth E., Collins, Brett M. and Meunier, Frederic A. (2019). STXBP1 encephalopathy: connecting neurodevelopmental disorders with α-synucleinopathies?. Neurology, 93 (3), 114-123. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007786
2019
Conference Publication
Unraveling Munc18/Syntaxin1 nanoscale organisation dynamics in health and disease
Meunier, F. (2019). Unraveling Munc18/Syntaxin1 nanoscale organisation dynamics in health and disease. ISN-ASN Meeting, Montreal, QC, Canada, 4 - 8 August 2019. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jnc.14780
2019
Journal Article
Frontotemporal dementia mutant Tau promotes aberrant Fyn nanoclustering in hippocampal dendritic spines
Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Xia, Di, Götz, Jürgen and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2019). Frontotemporal dementia mutant Tau promotes aberrant Fyn nanoclustering in hippocampal dendritic spines. eLife, 8 e45040. doi: 10.7554/elife.45040
2019
Journal Article
Complement receptor C3aR1 controls neutrophil mobilization following spinal cord injury through physiological antagonism of CXCR2
Brennan, Faith H., Jogia, Trisha, Gillespie, Ellen R., Blomster, Linda V., Li, Xaria X., Nowlan, Bianca, Williams, Gail M., Jacobson, Esther, Osborne, Geoff W., Meunier, Frederic A., Taylor, Stephen M., Campbell, Kate E., MacDonald, Kelli P.A., Levesque, Jean-Pierre, Woodruff, Trent M. and Ruitenberg, Marc J. (2019). Complement receptor C3aR1 controls neutrophil mobilization following spinal cord injury through physiological antagonism of CXCR2. JCI Insight, 4 (9) e98254. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.98254
2019
Journal Article
Need for speed: Super-resolving the dynamic nanoclustering of syntaxin-1 at exocytic fusion sites
Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Kasula, Ravikiran, Lauwers, Elsa, Verstreken, Patrik and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2019). Need for speed: Super-resolving the dynamic nanoclustering of syntaxin-1 at exocytic fusion sites. Neuropharmacology, 169 107554, 107554. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.036
2019
Journal Article
VAMP2 Binding to Munc18-1 Domain 3a Controls the Nanoscale Reorganization of the Plasma Membrane and Vesicle Interface During Vesicular Priming
Kasula, Ravikiran, Blum, Ailisa, Salla-Martret, Merce, Chai, Ye Jin, Jiang, Anmin, Wallis, Tristan P., Gormal, Rachel S., Brouillet, Julie Z., Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Weeratunga, Saroja K., Livingstone, Emma K., Mollazade, Mahdie, Joensuu, Merja, Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Collins, Brett M. and Meunier, Frederic (2019). VAMP2 Binding to Munc18-1 Domain 3a Controls the Nanoscale Reorganization of the Plasma Membrane and Vesicle Interface During Vesicular Priming. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3362260
2018
Journal Article
Actin remodeling in regulated exocytosis: toward a mesoscopic view
Li, Pin, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Luo, Jincai and Meunier, Frederic A. (2018). Actin remodeling in regulated exocytosis: toward a mesoscopic view. Trends in Cell Biology, 28 (9), 685-697. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.04.004
2018
Journal Article
A growth hormone receptor SNP promotes lung cancer by impairment of SOCS2-mediated degradation
Chhabra, Y., Wong, H. Y., Nikolajsen, L. F., Steinocher, H., Papadopulos, A., Tunny, K. A., Meunier, F. A., Smith, A. G., Kragelund, B. B., Brooks, A. J. and Waters, M. J. (2018). A growth hormone receptor SNP promotes lung cancer by impairment of SOCS2-mediated degradation. Oncogene, 37 (4), 489-501. doi: 10.1038/onc.2017.352
2018
Journal Article
In vivo single-molecule tracking at the Drosophila presynaptic motor nerve terminal
Bademosi, Adekunle T., Lauwers, Elsa, Amor, Rumelo, Verstreken, Patrik, van Swinderen, Bruno and Meunier, Frédéric A (2018). In vivo single-molecule tracking at the Drosophila presynaptic motor nerve terminal. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 2018 (131) e56952. doi: 10.3791/56952
2018
Journal Article
Trapping of Syntaxin1a in Presynaptic Nanoclusters by a Clinically Relevant General Anesthetic
Bademosi, Adekunle T. , Steeves, James, Karunanithi, Shanker, Zalucki, Oressia H, Gormal, Rachel S, Liu, Shu, Lauwers, Elsa, Verstreken, Patrik, Anggono, Victor, Meunier, Frederic A and van Swinderen, Bruno (2018). Trapping of Syntaxin1a in Presynaptic Nanoclusters by a Clinically Relevant General Anesthetic. Cell reports, 22 (2), 427-440. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.12.054
2018
Conference Publication
Super-resolving botulinum neurotoxin type A molecules: from surface landing to internalization in synaptic vesicles
Joensuu, Merja, Blum, Ailisa, Mollazade, Mahdie, Lanoue, Vanessa, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Small, Christopher, Mahrhold, Stefan, Krez, Nadja, Rummel, Andreas and Meunier, Frederic A. (2018). Super-resolving botulinum neurotoxin type A molecules: from surface landing to internalization in synaptic vesicles. TOXINS 2019: Basic Science and Clinical Aspects of Botulinum and Other Neurotoxins, Copenhagen, Denmark, 16-19 January 2019. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.122
2017
Journal Article
Amyloid-β and tau complexity - towards improved biomarkers and targeted therapies
Polanco, Juan Carlos, Li, Chuanzhou, Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel, Martinez-Marmol, Ramon, Meunier, Frederic A and Götz, Jürgen (2017). Amyloid-β and tau complexity - towards improved biomarkers and targeted therapies. Nature reviews. Neurology, 14 (1), 22-40. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2017.162
2017
Journal Article
G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel activation by the p75 neurotrophin receptor is required for amyloid beta toxicity
May, Linda M., Anggono, Victor, Gooch, Helen M., Jang, Se E., Matusica, Dusan, Kerbler, Georg M., Meunier, Frederic A., Sah, Pankaj and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2017). G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel activation by the p75 neurotrophin receptor is required for amyloid beta toxicity. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11 (455) 455. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00455
2017
Journal Article
ENA/VASP proteins regulate exocytosis by mediating myosin VI-dependent recruitment of secretory granules to the cortical actin network
Tomatis, Vanesa M., Josh, Peter, Papadopulos, Andreas, Gormal, Rachel S., Lanoue, Vanessa, Martin, Sally and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2017). ENA/VASP proteins regulate exocytosis by mediating myosin VI-dependent recruitment of secretory granules to the cortical actin network. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 84, 100-111. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.07.005
2017
Journal Article
A role for tropomyosins in activity-dependent bulk endocytosis?
Gormal, R. S., Valmas, N., Fath, T. and Meunier, F. A. (2017). A role for tropomyosins in activity-dependent bulk endocytosis?. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 84, 112-118. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.04.003
2017
Journal Article
The SAC1 domain in synaptojanin is required for autophagosome maturation at presynaptic terminals
Vanhauwaert, Roeland, Kuenen, Sabine, Masius, Roy, Bademosi, Adekunle, Manetsberger, Julia, Schoovaerts, Nils, Bounti, Laura, Gontcharenko, Serguei, Swerts, Jef, Vilain, Sven, Picillo, Marina, Barone, Paolo, Munshi, Shashini T., de Vrij, Femke M. S., Kushner, Steven A., Gounko, Natalia V., Mandemakers, Wim, Bonifati, Vincenzo, Meunier, Frederic A., Soukup, Sandra‐Fausia and Verstreken, Patrik (2017). The SAC1 domain in synaptojanin is required for autophagosome maturation at presynaptic terminals. EMBO Journal, 36 (10), 1392-1411. doi: 10.15252/embj.201695773
2017
Journal Article
Comparative analyses of glycerotoxin expression unveil a novel structural organization of the bloodworm venom system
Richter, Sandy, Helm, Conrad, Meunier, Frederic A., Hering, Lars, Campbell, Lahcen I., Drukewitz, Stephan H., Undheim, Eivind A. B., Jenner, Ronald A., Schiavo, Giampietro and Bleidorn, Christoph (2017). Comparative analyses of glycerotoxin expression unveil a novel structural organization of the bloodworm venom system. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 17 (1) 64, 64. doi: 10.1186/s12862-017-0904-4
2017
Journal Article
Erratum: 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, Frédéric A (2017). Erratum: In vivo single-molecule imaging of syntaxin1A reveals polyphosphoinositide- and activity-dependent trapping in presynaptic nanoclusters. Nature Communications, 8 (1) 14492. doi: 10.1038/ncomms14492
2017
Conference Publication
Nanoscale imaging of botulinum neurotoxin type a retrograde axonal trafficking
Harper, Callista B., Wang, Tong, Joensuu, Merja, Papadopulos, Andreas and Meunier, Frederic A. (2017). Nanoscale imaging of botulinum neurotoxin type a retrograde axonal trafficking. TOXINS: Basic Science and Clinical Aspects of Botulinum and other Neurotoxins, Madrid, Spain, 18-21 January 2017. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.11.106
2017
Book Chapter
New developments in free fatty acids and lysophospholipids: decoding the role of phospholipases in exocytosis
Narayana, Vinod K., Kvaskoff, David and Meunier, Frederic A. (2017). New developments in free fatty acids and lysophospholipids: decoding the role of phospholipases in exocytosis. Lipidomics of stem cells. (pp. 191-206) edited by Alice Pebay and Raymond C.B. Wong. Cham, Switerland: Spinger Nature.
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
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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