Professor Brett Collins
Professor

Brett Collins

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62043

Background

Brett Collins is an NHMRC Career Development Fellow and head of the Molecular Trafficking Lab at UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience. He was a lead investigator in the seminal structural studies of AP2, the protein adaptor molecule central to clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and has since defined the molecular basis for the function of critical proteins regulating membrane trafficking and signalling at the endosome organelle. His team is now focused on understanding how discrete molecular interactions between proteins and lipids control these processes in human cells.

Associate Professor Collins was awarded his PhD in 2001 and has published over 75 papers including in Cell, Nature, Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, Developmental Cell, and The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, altogether cited more than 3100 times. He is the recipient of 3 prestigious fellowships, including a previous Career Development Award from the National Health and Medical Research Council and a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council, and was awarded the University of Queensland Research Excellence Award in 2008. In 2015 he was awarded the Emerging Leader Award of the ANZSCDB and in 2016 the Merck Research Medal from the ASBMB. He is currently the President of the Queensland Protein Group.

Availability

Professor Brett Collins is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Macquarie University

Research interests

  • Membrane Trafficking

    The basis for movement of molecules between cellular organelles essential for cell homeostasis.

  • Structural biology

    The atomic resolution details of how biological molecules are assembled together and interact with each other.

Research impacts

Trafficking is essential for normal cellular function and is perturbed in many different diseases, notably Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders, pathogen invasion, cancer and inflammation. A/Prof Collins is probing the fundamental mechanisms of membrane transport, through the application of high-resolution structure determination, quantitative biophysical analyses of molecular interactions, and correlated cellular studies of essential protein machineries. Understanding these molecular mechanisms will allow us to determine how their dysfunction contributes to disease and how to target them for new therapies.

Search Professor Brett Collins’s works on UQ eSpace

134 works between 1997 and 2024
All (134) Journal Article (126) Conference Publication (7) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 134 works

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Insights into the PX (phox-homology) domain and SNX (sorting nexin) protein families: structures, functions and roles in disease

Teasdale, Rohan D. and Collins, Brett M. (2012). Insights into the PX (phox-homology) domain and SNX (sorting nexin) protein families: structures, functions and roles in disease. Biochemical Journal, 441 (Part 1), 39-59. doi: 10.1042/BJ20111226

Insights into the PX (phox-homology) domain and SNX (sorting nexin) protein families: structures, functions and roles in disease

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Phox homology band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-like proteins function as molecular scaffolds that interact with cargo receptors and Ras GTPases

Ghai, Rajesh, Mobli, Mehdi, Norwood, Suzanne J., Bugarcic, Andrea, Teasdale, Rohan D., King, Glenn F. and Collins, Brett M. (2011). Phox homology band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-like proteins function as molecular scaffolds that interact with cargo receptors and Ras GTPases. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 (19), 7763-7768. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1017110108

Phox homology band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-like proteins function as molecular scaffolds that interact with cargo receptors and Ras GTPases

Featured

2007

Journal Article

A SNARE-adaptor interaction is a new mode of cargo recognition in clathrin-coated vesicles

Miller, Sharon E., Collins, Brett M., McCoy, Airlie J., Robinson, Margaret S. and Owen, David J. (2007). A SNARE-adaptor interaction is a new mode of cargo recognition in clathrin-coated vesicles. Nature, 450 (7169), 570-574. doi: 10.1038/nature06353

A SNARE-adaptor interaction is a new mode of cargo recognition in clathrin-coated vesicles

2024

Journal Article

Mechanism and regulation of cargo entry into the Commander endosomal recycling pathway

Butkovič, Rebeka, Walker, Alexander P., Healy, Michael D., McNally, Kerrie E., Liu, Meihan, Veenendaal, Tineke, Kato, Kohji, Liv, Nalan, Klumperman, Judith, Collins, Brett M. and Cullen, Peter J. (2024). Mechanism and regulation of cargo entry into the Commander endosomal recycling pathway. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 7180, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-50971-0

Mechanism and regulation of cargo entry into the Commander endosomal recycling pathway

2024

Journal Article

Revealing the architecture of the membrane-bound Flotillin cage assembly

Collins, Brett M. (2024). Revealing the architecture of the membrane-bound Flotillin cage assembly. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121 (34) e2413203121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2413203121

Revealing the architecture of the membrane-bound Flotillin cage assembly

2024

Journal Article

Structural basis for coupling of the WASH subunit FAM21 with the endosomal SNX27–Retromer complex

Guo, Qian, Chen, Kai-en, Gimenez-Andres, Manuel, Jellett, Adam P., Gao, Ya, Simonetti, Boris, Liu, Meihan, Danson, Chris M., Heesom, Kate J., Cullen, Peter J. and Collins, Brett M. (2024). Structural basis for coupling of the WASH subunit FAM21 with the endosomal SNX27–Retromer complex. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121 (33) e2405041121, e2405041121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2405041121

Structural basis for coupling of the WASH subunit FAM21 with the endosomal SNX27–Retromer complex

2024

Journal Article

PPTC7 antagonizes mitophagy by promoting BNIP3 and NIX degradation via SCFFBXL4

Nguyen-Dien, Giang Thanh, Townsend, Brendan, Kulkarni, Prajakta Gosavi, Kozul, Keri-Lyn, Ooi, Soo Siang, Eldershaw, Denaye N, Weeratunga, Saroja, Liu, Meihan, Jones, Mathew JK, Millard, S Sean, Ng, Dominic CH, Pagano, Michele, Bonfim-Melo, Alexis, Schneider, Tobias, Komander, David, Lazarou, Michael, Collins, Brett M and Pagan, Julia K (2024). PPTC7 antagonizes mitophagy by promoting BNIP3 and NIX degradation via SCFFBXL4. EMBO Reports, 25 (8), 3324-3347. doi: 10.1038/s44319-024-00181-y

PPTC7 antagonizes mitophagy by promoting BNIP3 and NIX degradation via SCFFBXL4

2024

Journal Article

Assembly and fission of tubular carriers mediating protein sorting in endosomes

Gopaldass, Navin, Chen, Kai-En, Collins, Brett and Mayer, Andreas (2024). Assembly and fission of tubular carriers mediating protein sorting in endosomes. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 25 (10), 1-19. doi: 10.1038/s41580-024-00746-8

Assembly and fission of tubular carriers mediating protein sorting in endosomes

2024

Journal Article

Polarity-dependent expression and localization of secretory glucoamylase mRNA in filamentous fungal cells

Morita, Yuki, Takegawa, Kaoru, Collins, Brett M. and Higuchi, Yujiro (2024). Polarity-dependent expression and localization of secretory glucoamylase mRNA in filamentous fungal cells. Microbiological Research, 282 127653, 127653. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127653

Polarity-dependent expression and localization of secretory glucoamylase mRNA in filamentous fungal cells

2024

Journal Article

Interrogation and validation of the interactome of neuronal Munc18-interacting Mint proteins with AlphaFold2

Weeratunga, Saroja, Gormal, Rachel S., Liu, Meihan, Eldershaw, Denaye, Livingstone, Emma K., Malapaka, Anusha, Wallis, Tristan P., Bademosi, Adekunle T., Jiang, Anmin, Healy, Michael D., Meunier, Frederic A. and Collins, Brett M. (2024). Interrogation and validation of the interactome of neuronal Munc18-interacting Mint proteins with AlphaFold2. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 300 (1) 105541, 105541. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105541

Interrogation and validation of the interactome of neuronal Munc18-interacting Mint proteins with AlphaFold2

2023

Journal Article

The PDLIM family of actin-associated proteins and their emerging role in membrane trafficking

Healy, Michael D. and Collins, Brett M. (2023). The PDLIM family of actin-associated proteins and their emerging role in membrane trafficking. Biochemical Society Transactions, 51 (6), 2005-2016. doi: 10.1042/bst20220804

The PDLIM family of actin-associated proteins and their emerging role in membrane trafficking

2023

Journal Article

Copine-6 is a Ca2+ sensor for activity-induced AMPA receptor exocytosis

Tan, Jing Zhi Anson, Jang, Se Eun, Batallas-Borja, Ana, Bhembre, Nishita, Chandra, Mintu, Zhang, Lingrui, Guo, Huimin, Ringuet, Mitchell T., Widagdo, Jocelyn, Collins, Brett M. and Anggono, Victor (2023). Copine-6 is a Ca2+ sensor for activity-induced AMPA receptor exocytosis. Cell Reports, 42 (12) 113460, 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113460

Copine-6 is a Ca2+ sensor for activity-induced AMPA receptor exocytosis

2023

Journal Article

Caveola mechanotransduction reinforces the cortical cytoskeleton to promote epithelial resilience

Brooks, John W., Tillu, Vikas, Eckert, Julia, Verma, Suzie, Collins, Brett M., Parton, Robert G. and Yap, Alpha S. (2023). Caveola mechanotransduction reinforces the cortical cytoskeleton to promote epithelial resilience. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 34 (12) ar120, 1-14. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e23-05-0163

Caveola mechanotransduction reinforces the cortical cytoskeleton to promote epithelial resilience

2023

Journal Article

Discovery and structural characterization of novel nanobodies targeting the Cavin1 complex essential for forming caveola membrane vesicles

Gao, Ya, Tillu, Vikas A., Wu, Yeping, Rae, James, Hall, Thomas E., Chen, Kai-En, Weeratunga, Saroja, Guo, Qian, Parton, Robert G. and Collins, Brett M. (2023). Discovery and structural characterization of novel nanobodies targeting the Cavin1 complex essential for forming caveola membrane vesicles. Acta Crystallographica. Section A: Foundations and Advances, 79 (a2), C939-C939. doi: 10.1107/s2053273323086825

Discovery and structural characterization of novel nanobodies targeting the Cavin1 complex essential for forming caveola membrane vesicles

2023

Conference Publication

Structural basis for coupling of the WASH subunit Fam21 with the SNX27–retromer endosomal trafficking complex

Guo, Qian, Chen, Kai-En, Simonetti, Boris, Gimenez-Andres, Manuel, Cullen, Peter J. and Collins, Brett M. (2023). Structural basis for coupling of the WASH subunit Fam21 with the SNX27–retromer endosomal trafficking complex. XXVI IUCr Congress, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 22-29 August 2023. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1107/s2053273323086837

Structural basis for coupling of the WASH subunit Fam21 with the SNX27–retromer endosomal trafficking complex

2023

Journal Article

Early proteostasis of caveolins synchronizes trafficking, degradation, and oligomerization to prevent toxic aggregation

Morales-Paytuví, Frederic, Fajardo, Alba, Ruiz-Mirapeix, Carles, Rae, James, Tebar, Francesc, Bosch, Marta, Enrich, Carlos, Collins, Brett M., Parton, Robert G. and Pol, Albert (2023). Early proteostasis of caveolins synchronizes trafficking, degradation, and oligomerization to prevent toxic aggregation. Journal of Cell Biology, 222 (9) e202204020. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202204020

Early proteostasis of caveolins synchronizes trafficking, degradation, and oligomerization to prevent toxic aggregation

2023

Journal Article

Presynaptic targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A requires a tripartite PSG‐Syt1 ‐ SV2 plasma membrane nanocluster for synaptic vesicle entry

Joensuu, Merja, Syed, Parnayan, Saber, Saber H., Lanoue, Vanessa, Wallis, Tristan P., Rae, James, Blum, Ailisa, Gormal, Rachel S., Small, Christopher, Sanders, Shanley, Jiang, Anmin, Mahrhold, Stefan, Krez, Nadja, Cousin, Michael A., Cooper‐White, Ruby, Cooper‐White, Justin J., Collins, Brett M., Parton, Robert G., Balistreri, Giuseppe, Rummel, Andreas and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2023). Presynaptic targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A requires a tripartite PSG‐Syt1 ‐ SV2 plasma membrane nanocluster for synaptic vesicle entry. The EMBO Journal, 42 (13) e112095, e112095. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022112095

Presynaptic targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A requires a tripartite PSG‐Syt1 ‐ SV2 plasma membrane nanocluster for synaptic vesicle entry

2023

Journal Article

Structure of the endosomal Commander complex linked to Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome

Healy, Michael D., McNally, Kerrie E., Butkovič, Rebeka, Chilton, Molly, Kato, Kohji, Sacharz, Joanna, McConville, Calum, Moody, Edmund R. R., Shaw, Shrestha, Planelles-Herrero, Vicente J., Yadav, Sathish K. N., Ross, Jennifer, Borucu, Ufuk, Palmer, Catherine S., Chen, Kai-En, Croll, Tristan I., Hall, Ryan J., Caruana, Nikeisha J., Ghai, Rajesh, Nguyen, Thi H. D., Heesom, Kate J., Saitoh, Shinji, Berger, Imre, Schaffitzel, Christiane, Williams, Tom A., Stroud, David A., Derivery, Emmanuel, Collins, Brett M. and Cullen, Peter J. (2023). Structure of the endosomal Commander complex linked to Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome. Cell, 186 (10), 2219-2237.e29. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.003

Structure of the endosomal Commander complex linked to Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome

2023

Journal Article

FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors

Nguyen‐Dien, Giang Thanh, Kozul, Keri‐Lyn, Cui, Yi, Townsend, Brendan, Kulkarni, Prajakta Gosavi, Ooi, Soo Siang, Marzio, Antonio, Carrodus, Nissa, Zuryn, Steven, Pagano, Michele, Parton, Robert G, Lazarou, Michael, Millard, S Sean, Taylor, Robert W, Collins, Brett M, Jones, Mathew JK and Pagan, Julia K (2023). FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors. The EMBO Journal, 42 (13) e112767, e112767. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022112767

FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors

2022

Journal Article

Proteomic identification and structural basis for the interaction between sorting nexin SNX17 and PDLIM family proteins

Healy, Michael D., Sacharz, Joanna, McNally, Kerrie E., McConville, Calum, Tillu, Vikas A., Hall, Ryan J., Chilton, Molly, Cullen, Peter J., Mobli, Mehdi, Ghai, Rajesh, Stroud, David A. and Collins, Brett M. (2022). Proteomic identification and structural basis for the interaction between sorting nexin SNX17 and PDLIM family proteins. Structure, 30 (12), 1590-1602.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2022.10.001

Proteomic identification and structural basis for the interaction between sorting nexin SNX17 and PDLIM family proteins

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Centre of Research Excellence in Mechanisms In NeuroDegeneration - Alzheimer's Disease (MIND-AD CRE)
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2024
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Structure of the essential Commander protein trafficking complex
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Nanocrystal Electron Diffraction Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    The functional architecture of a unique family of lipid droplet proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    From structural mechanisms of endosomal trafficking to therapies for neurodegenerative diseases
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2024)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2024)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2023)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2022)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2022
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2022)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Cryo-Focused Ion Beam Facility for soft and hard materials (ARC LIEF project administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2021
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2021)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Lipid droplet membrane tethers at atomic resolution
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    An integrated, multi-node bio-layer interferometry facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Molecular basis for the assembly of caveolae membrane domains
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Collaborative Access Program
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Chemical Purification Network
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Retromer assembly and targeting in neurodegenerative disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Understanding the assembly of the Commander complex
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Understanding the assembly of the Commander complex (NHMRC Project Grant administered by The University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Collaborative Access Program
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    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 - 2022
    Peripheral Membrane Proteins In Health And Disease
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Regulation of glutamate receptor trafficking by the calcium- and lipid-binding protein, copine-6
    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 - 2018
    12340: The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University macromolecular Crystallography CAP
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Unraveling the dynamic Munc18a:Syntaxin1 interaction required for neurotransmission (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    The endosome at atomic resolution
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Protein Analysis Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Structural basis for the assembly of caveolae
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Unraveling the dynamic Munc18a:Syntaxin1 interaction required for neurotransmission
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (R.D. Wright Biomedical CDF Level 2): Peripheral membrane proteins in health and disease
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Endosomal sorting of amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    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 - 2016
    Understanding how membrane trafficking controls the levels of Alzheimer's disease causing Aß peptides
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Unravelling Munc18 dual function in exocytosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Endosomal protein sorting and APP processing in Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Multi angle light scattering detector for the measurement of absolute molecular weight, size, and conformation of macromolecules in solution
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Structural Analysis of a Novel Plasma Membrane Coat Complex
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Defining the molecular mechanisms of intracellular protein trafficking
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Auto-iTC200 microcalorimeter for high-throughput molecular interaction analyses
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Small angle X-ray scattering of protein complexes regulating membrane trafficking
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Control of neurosecretion by Munc18
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Myosin VI: a novel molecular apparatus for epithelial cohesion.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Endosomal Protein Transport: From Molecular Structures to Biological Function
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Developing a Molecular Understanding of Endosomal Membrane Trafficking
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    From structures to systems: A hierachical approach to understanding sub-cellular components.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Structural and cellular biology of endosomal membrane trafficking
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2011
    NHMRC: R Douglas Wright Biomedical Career Development Award
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    The Molecular Mechanism Of Retromer And Sorting Nexin Function In Endosomal Membrane Trafficking
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Brett Collins is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • High resolution structural studies of the Commander protein complex essential for intracellular trafficking

  • Developing synthetic nanobodies for high resolution structural studies

  • Structure and function of endosomal sorting nexin proteins.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Brett Collins directly for media enquiries about:

  • Alzheimer's
  • cancer
  • Cryoelectron microscopy
  • inflammation
  • inflammatory disease
  • muscular dystrophy
  • Parkinson's
  • x-ray crystallography

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