Overview
Background
Dr Steven Zuryn is a molecular geneticist within the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland. After training as a PhD in genetics, he undertook postdoctoral reseach at the Institut Génétique Biologie Moléculaire Cellulaire (IGBMC) in Strasbourg, France. He now leads an international and diverse team of postdoctoral, PhD, Honours, and undergraduate investigators studying epigenetics and mitochondrial biology. His laboratory’s work focuses on the role and impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and is particularly fascinated with mutations that accumulate within the mitochondria’s own genome during ageing. His research has been published in the high profile journals Science, Nature Cell Biology, and Nature Communications and has appeared in multiple mainstream media outlets. For his research, he has received multiple international prizes and fellowships, been awarded grants from the NHMRC and ARC as primary chief investigator and is generously supported as a fellow of the Stafford Fox Research Foundation. Steven is passionate about communicating the critical importance of fundamental scientific research as a long-term human endeavour.
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Visit the Zuryn lab website.
Availability
- Associate Professor Steven Zuryn is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
With life expectancies increasing around the world, neurodegenerative disorders represent an enormous disease burden on individuals, families, and society. Two forms of cellular stress are associated with practically every single age-related neurodegenerative disease: mitochondrial dysfunction, and toxicity resulting from conformationally challenged, aggregate-prone proteins. Although direct links between these factors and human disease are sometimes elusive, it is clear that such stresses ultimately lead to a decline in individual neuron function over time.
In recent research, the Zuryn lab has shown that neurodegenerative disease-associated tau and polyglutamate proteins can increase the levels of mutations in the mitochondrial genome. This is the first evidence linking the two hallmarks of nerodegeneration and provides new avenues in which to explore potential therapeutics.
Works
Search Professor Steven Zuryn’s works on UQ eSpace
2013
Journal Article
Deep sequencing strategies for mapping and identifying mutations from genetic screens
Zuryn, Steven and Jarriault, Sophie (2013). Deep sequencing strategies for mapping and identifying mutations from genetic screens. Worm, 2 (3), e25081. doi: 10.4161/worm.25081
2012
Journal Article
A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas
Schlipalius, David I., Valmas, Nicholas, Tuck, Andrew G., Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Ma, Li, Kaur, Ramandeep, Goldinger, Anita, Anderson, Cameron, Kuang, Jujiao, Zuryn, Steven, Mau, Yosep S., Cheng, Qiang, Collins, Patrick J., Nayak, Manoj K., Schirra, Horst Joachim, Hilliard, Massimo A. and Ebert, Paul R. (2012). A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas. Science, 338 (6108), 807-810. doi: 10.1126/science.1224951
2011
Journal Article
Direct cellular reprogramming in Caenorhabditis elegans: Facts, models, and promises for regenerative medicine
Zuryn, Steven, Daniele, Thomas and Jarriault, Sophie (2011). Direct cellular reprogramming in Caenorhabditis elegans: Facts, models, and promises for regenerative medicine. WIREs Developmental Biology, 1 (1), 138-152. doi: 10.1002/wdev.7
2011
Journal Article
Direct in vivo reprogramming involves transition through discrete, non-pluripotent steps
Richard, Jai Prakash, Zuryn, Steven, Fischer, Nadine, Pavet, Valeria, Vaucamps, Nadège and Jarriault, Sophie (2011). Direct in vivo reprogramming involves transition through discrete, non-pluripotent steps. Development, 138 (8), 1483-1492. doi: 10.1242/dev.063115
Featured
2010
Journal Article
Mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans causes metabolic restructuring, but this is not linked to longevity
Zuryn, Steven, Kuang, Jujiao, Tuck, Andrew and Ebert, Paul R. (2010). Mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans causes metabolic restructuring, but this is not linked to longevity. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 131 (9), 554-561. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2010.07.004
2010
Journal Article
A strategy for direct mapping and identification of mutations by whole-genome sequencing
Zuryn, S., Le Gras, S., Jamet, K. and Jarriault, S. (2010). A strategy for direct mapping and identification of mutations by whole-genome sequencing. Genetics, 186 (1), 427-430. doi: 10.1534/genetics.110.119230
2008
Journal Article
Mitochondrial uncouplers act synergistically with the fumigant phosphine to disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and cause cell death
Valmas, Nicholas, Zuryn, Steven and Ebert, Paul R. (2008). Mitochondrial uncouplers act synergistically with the fumigant phosphine to disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and cause cell death. Toxicology, 2008 (252), 33-39. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2008.07.060
2008
Journal Article
Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans
Zuryn, Steven, Kuang, Jujiao and Ebert, Paul (2008). Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Toxicological Sciences, 102 (1), 179-186. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfm278
2008
Conference Publication
Biochemical mechanisms of phosphine action and resistance
Kuang, J., Zuryn, S., Valmas, N., Cha'on, U, Cui, Y.W., Cheng, Q., Tuck, A., Collins, P.J. and Ebert, P.R. (2008). Biochemical mechanisms of phosphine action and resistance. 8th International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products, Chengdu, China, 21-26 September 2008. China: Sichuan Publishing house of Science & Technology.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Steven Zuryn is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Determining how mitochondrial quality is maintained within axons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Massimo Hilliard
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial effects on host mitochondrial DNA
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri
-
Doctor Philosophy
Epigenetics responses to mitochondrial DNA damage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ina Kirmes
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic and molecular protection against mtDNA mutations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Arnaud Ahier
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the role of oxidative stress in neurodegeneration.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Massimo Hilliard
-
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacogenetics of anorexia in the model organism C.elegans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Ebert
-
Doctor Philosophy
The role of mitochondria and lipid droplets in innate immunity and host defence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet
-
Doctor Philosophy
Comparative analysis of instinctual feeding behaviour and addiction in the genetic model organism, C. elegans.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Ebert
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery of molecules and molecular pathways that counteract mitochondrial DNA damage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Arnaud Ahier
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Unravelling Epigenetic Modifiers of Mitochondrial DNA
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Arnaud Ahier
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Uncovering Modifiers of mtDNA Damage Expressivity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Massimo Hilliard
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2019
Master Philosophy
Discovery of Molecules that Suppress the Effect of Mitochondrial Genome Damage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Massimo Hilliard
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating Environmental Stress as a Driver of Epigenetic and Genetic Variation Using the Model Organism C. elegans.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Ebert
Media
Enquiries
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