Professor Frederic Meunier
Professor

Frederic Meunier

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+61 7 334 66373

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

Biological Sciences Neurosciences

Research interests

  • 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)

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Search Professor Frederic Meunier’s works on UQ eSpace

182 works between 1996 and 2024
All (182) Journal Article (139) Book Chapter (11) Conference Publication (24) Other Outputs (8)

181 - 182 of 182 works

1996

Journal Article

Expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in mammalian cells

Varoqui, H, Meunier, FM, Meunier, FA, Molgo, J, Berrard, S, Cervini, R, Mallet, J, Israel, M and Diebler, MF (1996). Expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in mammalian cells. Cholinergic Mechanisms: From Molecular Biology to Clinical Significance, 109, 83-95.

Expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in mammalian cells

1996

Conference Publication

Quantal transmitter release at botulinum-treated vertebrate neuromuscular junctions.

Molgo, J, Meunier, FA and Sellin, LC (1996). Quantal transmitter release at botulinum-treated vertebrate neuromuscular junctions.. 11th Meeting of the European-Society-for-Neurochemistry, Groningen Netherlands, Jun 15-20, 1996. NEW YORK: PLENUM PRESS DIV PLENUM PUBLISHING CORP.

Quantal transmitter release at botulinum-treated vertebrate neuromuscular junctions.

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Unravelling Nanoscale Dynamics and Dysfunction of Tau in Frontotemporal Dementia
    Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2028
    Deconstructing neurotransmission one molecule at a time: Munc13
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2026
    Understanding Tau Dysfunction in Frontotemporal Dementia
    Brain Foundation Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Role of Tau and Synapsin in clustering distinct synaptic vesicle pools
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Investigating myristic acid as key mediator of memory via myristoylation
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Targeting neuropilin in SARS-Cov-2 neuronal uptake and transport
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    Understanding the dynamics of TDP-43 aggregation in FTE using advanced imaging tools
    Dementia Australia Research Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Single molecule biomolecular condensate analysis in neurons
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Super-resolving neurotransmitter release machinery during priming
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    EndophilinA sensitivity to Ca2+ modulates autophagy induction by altering its nanoscale localisation
    Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Super-resolution microscopy
    The Donald & Joan Wilson Foundation Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Unveiling the nanoscale organisation and dynamics of synaptic vesicle pools
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Camera and software upgrades for microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Histology and Advanced Microscopy Research Facility upgrade
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Imaging Mass Spectrometry at Higher Mass Resolution
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Nanoscale imaging of presynaptic proteins in health and disease
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Neurotrophic effect of Lion's Mane mushroom and ginkgo leaf extract
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Confocal and single molecule microscopes for Systems Microscopy (ARC LIEF grant administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Cryoelectron Microscopy Platform for Cellular Structural Biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    How do you SNARE a synaptic vesicle?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Unveiling the origin of Munc18-1 and alpha-synuclein co-aggregation at nanoscale
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Tau and ITS master regulator Fyn in Neurons
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Understanding axonal fusion: an alternative mechanism to repair injured axons.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Unravelling a new fatty acid pathway involved in neuroexocytosis and memory
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Unravelling the mechanism coupling synaptic activity with neurotrophin signaling in the nervous system
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Unveiling the intra and intermolecular steps underpinning vesicular priming
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Embryonic Animals and Tissue Culture
    CNGBio Corp
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Computerised stereotaxic stages and rapid tissue processor for enhanced fixation and immunolabelling
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Unravelling the mechanism of vesicular docking in neurosecretory cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Single molecule imaging laboratory (ARC LIEF project administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SRFB): Vesicular trafficking pathways underpinning neuronal secretion and survival
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Two-photon microscopy for live and fixed imaging in model organisms and thick tissue
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Uncover how Myosin-6 underpins the Ca2+-dependent recruitment of secretory vesicles to the cortical actin network
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Live molecular imaging using super resolution microscopy, two photon and spinning disk confocal microscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Unravelling Munc18 dual function in exocytosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Queensland International Fellowship: Deciphering the puzzle of molecular events underpinning neurotransmission using super-resolution microscopy
    Queensland International Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Scanning electron microscope to house 3-Dimensional Sectioning Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    The role of actin in driving bulk endocytosis in neurons and neurosecretory cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    An automated liquid handling platform for High-throughput Preparation of multiplexed targeted sequence capture DNA libraries for Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS)
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Dynamics of constrained Brownian motion of neuro-secretory vesicles.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Large scale automated electron microscopic sectioning facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.1 FTE School of Biomedical Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    TNF traffic and secretion in astrocytes and microglial cells: unveilling new targets for ischemic stroke
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    QCAS Early Career Fellowship: Uncovering the mechanisms underpinning the sustainability of neurotransmission at a central synapse
    Smart Futures Fund - QCAS Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Improving muscle function in dystrophy
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    The neuronal PlKfyve complex regulates neurotransmission and neurodegeneration
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Control of neurosecretion by Munc18
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Modulating neuronal secretion by the Pl3-kinase pathway
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Next-generation DNA sequencer to accelerate discovery in molecular and cellular research programs at QBI
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (Senior Research Fellowship A): Associate Professor Frederic Meunier
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Sustaining neuronal communication through bulk endocytosis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    High Speed Fluorescence Imaging coupled with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching System
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Regulation of p75 death signalling: how neurotransmitter- and neurotrophic- signals determine cell survival
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Gene therapy to cure botulinum toxin intoxication and new motoneuron delivery system
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Deciphering the molecular basis of SM regulation of exocytosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006
    NHMRC_Infrastructure Item_750w Ultrasonic Processor (SONICATOR) with standard probe, stepped microprobe, glass cup horn, four-element and 96-element probes and noise-abating chamber
    Open grant
  • 2006
    NHMRC_Infrastructure Item_Manufactured zebrafish aquarium system designed to manage multiple transgenic lines, multiple users and multiple lays per day
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Phosphoinositides Dynamics in Regulated Exocytosis
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Deciphering the molecular steps leading to the potentiation of neuronal exocytosis by arachidonic acid
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Role of p235 in the pathway leading to exoctosis of large dense core vesicles
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Glycerotoxin a unique tool to investigate the dynamic interactions between N-type Ca2+ channels and the exo-endocytic machinery
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Role of 3'-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in neurosecretion
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Role Of Plasma Membrane Ca Pump In High Glucose Induced Changes In Ca Signalling
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Frederic Meunier is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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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