
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
2010
Journal Article
Sustained synaptic-vesicle recycling by bulk endocytosis contributes to the maintenance of high-rate neurotransmitter release stimulated by glycerotoxin
Meunier, Frederic A., Nguyen, Tam H., Colasante, Cesare, Luo, Fujun, Sullivan, Robert K. P., Lavidis, Nicholas A., Molgo, Jordi, Meriney, Stephen D. and Schiavo, Giampietro (2010). Sustained synaptic-vesicle recycling by bulk endocytosis contributes to the maintenance of high-rate neurotransmitter release stimulated by glycerotoxin. Journal of Cell Science, 123 (7), 1131-1140. doi: 10.1242/jcs.049296
2010
Journal Article
Inhibition of the PtdIns(5) kinase PIKfyve disrupts intracellular replication of Salmonella
Kerr, Markus C., Wang, Jack T. H., Castro, Natalie A., Hamilton, Nicholas A., Town, Liam, Brown, Darren L., Meunier, Frederic A., Brown, Nat F., Stow, Jennifer L. and Teasdale, Rohan D. (2010). Inhibition of the PtdIns(5) kinase PIKfyve disrupts intracellular replication of Salmonella. EMBO Journal, 29 (8), 1331-1347. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2010.28
2010
Conference Publication
Lipid dynamics in exocytosis
Chasserot-Golaz, S., Coorssen, J. R., Meunier, F. A. and Vitale, N. (2010). Lipid dynamics in exocytosis. 15th International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology, Merida, Mexico, 12-16 November 2009. New York, NY, U.S.A.: Springer New York LLC. doi: 10.1007/s10571-010-9577-x
2009
Journal Article
Rescue of Munc18-1 and -2 double knockdown reveals the essential functions of interaction between Munc18 and closed syntaxin in PC12 cells
Han, Liping, Jiang, Tiandan, Han, Gayoung A., Malintan, Nancy T., Xie, Li., Wang, Li., Tse, Frederick W., Gaisano, Herbert Y., Collins, Brett M., Meunier, Frederic A. and Sugita, Shuzo (2009). Rescue of Munc18-1 and -2 double knockdown reveals the essential functions of interaction between Munc18 and closed syntaxin in PC12 cells. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 20 (23), 4962-4975. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E09-08-0712
2009
Journal Article
Abrogating Munc18-1 SNARE complex interaction has limited impact on exocytosis in PC12 cells
Malintan, Nancy, Nguyen, Tam H, Han, Liping, Latham, Catherine F., Osborne, Shona L., Wen, Peter, Lim, Siew, Joo, Tiffany, Sugita, Shuzo, Collins, Brett M. and Meunier, Frederic A. (2009). Abrogating Munc18-1 SNARE complex interaction has limited impact on exocytosis in PC12 cells. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (32), 21637-21646. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.013508
2009
Book Chapter
Marine toxins potently affecting neurotransmitter release¹
Meunier, Frederic A., Mattei, Cesar F. and Molgo, Jordi (2009). Marine toxins potently affecting neurotransmitter release¹. Marine Toxins as Research Tools. (pp. 159-186) edited by Fusetani, Nobuhiro and Kem, William. Berlin & Heidelberg: Springer - Verlag. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-87895-7_6
2008
Journal Article
Ca2+-regulated pool of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate produced by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2α on neurosecretory vesicles
Wen, Peter, Osborne, Shona L., Morrow, Isabel C., Parton, Robert G., Domin, Jan and Meunier, Frederic A. (2008). Ca2+-regulated pool of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate produced by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2α on neurosecretory vesicles. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 19 (12), 5593-5603. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E08-06-0595
2008
Journal Article
Brevenal Inhibits Pacific Ciguatoxin-1B-Induced Neurosecretion from Bovine Chromaffin Cells
Mattei, C, Wen, PJ, Nguyen-Huu, TD, Alvarez, M, Benoit, E, Bourdelais, AJ, Lewis, RJ, Baden, DG, Molgo, J and Meunier, FA (2008). Brevenal Inhibits Pacific Ciguatoxin-1B-Induced Neurosecretion from Bovine Chromaffin Cells. PLoS One, 3 (10) e3448, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003448
2008
Journal Article
PIKfyve Negatively Regulates Exocytosis in Neurosecretory Cells
Osborne, Shona L., Wen, Peter J., Boucheron, Christine, Nguyen, Hao N., Hayakawa, Masahiko, Kaizawa, Hiroyuki, Parker, Peter J., Vitale, Nicolas and Meunier, Frederic A. (2008). PIKfyve Negatively Regulates Exocytosis in Neurosecretory Cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (5), 2804-2813. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M704856200
2008
Journal Article
p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates neuronal cell death by activating GIRK channels through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate
Coulson, E. J., May, L. M., Osborne, S. L., Reid, K., Underwood, C. K., Meunier, F. A., Bartlett, P. F. and Sah, P. (2008). p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates neuronal cell death by activating GIRK channels through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (1), 315-324. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2699-07.2008
2008
Book Chapter
Lipids and Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis
Meunier, Frederic A. and Osborne, Shona L. (2008). Lipids and Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis. Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release. (pp. 239-261) edited by Wang, Zhao-Wen. United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-481-0
2008
Conference Publication
Noninvasive measurement of intracellular viscoelastic properties
Alvarez-Elizondo, Martha B., Roelofs, Susan H., Meunier, Frederic A., Heckenberg, Norman and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2008). Noninvasive measurement of intracellular viscoelastic properties. Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation V, San Diego, United States, 10-14 August 2008. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society of Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.793591
2007
Journal Article
Arachidonic acid potentiates exocytosis and allows neuronal SNARE complex to interact with Munc18a
Latham, C. F., Osborne, S. L., Cryle, M. J. and Meunier, F. A. (2007). Arachidonic acid potentiates exocytosis and allows neuronal SNARE complex to interact with Munc18a. Journal of Neurochemistry, 100 (6), 1543-1554. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04286.x
2007
Journal Article
Munc 18a: Munc-y business in mediating exocytosis
Latham, CF and Meunier, FA (2007). Munc 18a: Munc-y business in mediating exocytosis. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 39 (9), 1576-1581. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2006.11.015
2007
Journal Article
Identification of secretory granule phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphateinteracting proteins using an affinity pulldown strategy
Osborne, SL, Wallis, TP, Jimenez, JL, Gorman, JJ and Meunier, FA (2007). Identification of secretory granule phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphateinteracting proteins using an affinity pulldown strategy. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 6 (7), 1158-1169. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M600430-MCP200
2007
Journal Article
The janus faces of botulinum neurotoxin: Sensational medicine and deadly biological weapon
Osborne, SL, Latham, CF, Wen, PJ, Cavaignac, S, Fanning, J, Foran, PG and Meunier, FA (2007). The janus faces of botulinum neurotoxin: Sensational medicine and deadly biological weapon. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 85 (6), 1149-1158. doi: 10.1002/jnr.21171
2006
Journal Article
Glycerotoxin stimulates neurotransmitter release from N-type Ca2+ channel expressing neurons
Schenning, Mitja, Proctor, Dustin T., Ragnarsson, Lotten, Barbier, Julien, Lavidis, Nickolas A., Molgo, Jordi J., Zamponi, Gerald W., Schiavo, Giampietro and Meunier, Frederic A. (2006). Glycerotoxin stimulates neurotransmitter release from N-type Ca2+ channel expressing neurons. Journal of Neurochemistry, 98 (3), 894-904. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03938.x
2006
Journal Article
High throughput analysis of endogenous glutamate release using a fluorescence plate reader
Sim, Alistair T.R., Herd, Lynn, Proctor, Dustin T., Baldwin, Monique L., Meunier, Frederic A. and Rostas, John A.P (2006). High throughput analysis of endogenous glutamate release using a fluorescence plate reader. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 153 (1), 43-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2005.10.004
2006
Journal Article
Phosphoinositide regulation of neuroexocytosis: adding to the complexity
Osborne, Shona L., Wen, Peter J. and Meunier, Frederic A. (2006). Phosphoinositide regulation of neuroexocytosis: adding to the complexity. Journal of Neurochemistry, 98 (2), 336-342. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03892.x
2005
Journal Article
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2 alpha is essential for ATP-dependent priming of neurosecretory granule exocytosis
Meunier, Frederic A., Osborne, Shona L., Hammond, Gerald R.V., Cooke, Frank T., Parker, Peter J., Domin, Jan and Schiavo, Giampietro (2005). Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2 alpha is essential for ATP-dependent priming of neurosecretory granule exocytosis. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 16 (10), 4841-4851. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E05-02-0171
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
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
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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