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Professor Massimo Hilliard
Professor

Massimo Hilliard

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66390

Overview

Background

Queensland Brain Institute

Dr Massimo A. Hilliard received his PhD in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology in 2001 from the University of Naples, Italy. His experimental work, performed at the Institute of Genetics and Biophysics of the CNR (Italian National Council of Research), was aimed at understanding the neuronal and genetic basis of aversive taste behavior (bitter taste) in C. elegans.

During his first postdoc at the University of California, San Diego, using the Ca2+ indicator Cameleon he published the first direct visualisation of chemosensory activity in C. elegans neurons. In his second postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco and at The Rockefeller University, he switched from neuronal function to neuronal development, focusing in particular on how neurons establish and orient their polarity with respect to extracellular cues.

From September 2007, he is at the Queensland Brain Institute where he established an independent laboratory.

Availability

Professor Massimo Hilliard is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II

Research interests

  • Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory

    We use C. elegans as a genetic model system to study neuronal development. There are currently three lines of research in the lab, and PhD projects and/or postdoctoral positions are available in each topic. 1. Axonal degeneration How neurons can maintain their axonal structure and function over time is not well understood. Axonal degeneration is a critical and common feature of many peripheral neuropathies, neurodegenerative diseases and nerve injuries. The genetic factors and the cellular mechanisms that prevent axonal degeneration under normal conditions and that trigger it under pathological ones are still largely unknown. We aim to use C. elegans genetics to identify the molecules and the mechanisms that control these processes. 2. Axonal regeneration How some axons can regenerate after nerve damage while others cannot is a crucial question in neurobiology, and the answers will be of great value for the medical handling of neurodegenerative diseases and of traumatic nerve injuries. Largely unknown are the molecules and the mechanisms underlying this important biological process. In C. elegans, a new laser-based technology allows single neuron axotomy in living animals, and axonal regeneration can now be visualised in real-time and tackled with a genetic approach. Our goal is to identify the genes and conditions that control this fascinating process. 3. Neuronal polarity and axonal guidance Neurons are highly polarized cells with distinct domains such as axons and dendrites. The polarity of a developing neuron determines the precise exit point of its axon as well as the initial trajectory of axon outgrowth. Understanding how neurons establish and orient polarity with respect to extracellular cues is an important and challenging problem in neurobiology. We wish to understand how different secreted cues regulate the orientation of neuronal polarity and axonal guidance in vivo.

Works

Search Professor Massimo Hilliard’s works on UQ eSpace

50 works between 1994 and 2024

1 - 20 of 50 works

2024

Conference Publication

How the Australian Functional Genomics Network (AFGN) contributes to improved patient care

Scott, Hamish S., Matotek, Ebony, Mattiske, Tessa, Bryson-Richardson, Robert J., Smyth, Ian, Gecz, Jozef, Christodoulou, John, Palpant, Nathan, Smith, Kelly, Warr, Coral, Bennetts, Bruce, Thomas, Paul, Bowles, Josephine, Hilliard, Massimo, Hime, Gary, Hool, Livia, Quinn, Leonie, Wolvetang, Ernst, Jamieson, Robyn, Baynam, Gareth, Dudding-Byth, Tracy, Tan, Tiong Yang, Milnes, Di, Wallis, Mathew, Palmer, Elizabeth, Patel, Chirag, Jones, Kristi, Tam, Patrick, Stark, Zornitza ... Sinclair, Andrew (2024). How the Australian Functional Genomics Network (AFGN) contributes to improved patient care. Pathology Update 2024, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 1-3 March 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.12.084

How the Australian Functional Genomics Network (AFGN) contributes to improved patient care

2023

Journal Article

SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral fusogens cause neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal activity

Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Giordano-Santini, Rosina, Kaulich, Eva, Cho, Ann-Na, Przybyla, Magdalena, Riyadh, Md Asrafuzzaman, Robinson, Emilija, Chew, Keng Yih, Amor, Rumelo, Meunier, Frédéric A., Balistreri, Giuseppe, Short, Kirsty R., Ke, Yazi D., Ittner, Lars M. and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral fusogens cause neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal activity. Science Advances, 9 (23) eadg2248, 1-15. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg2248

SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral fusogens cause neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal activity

2023

Journal Article

The dynamin GTPase mediates regenerative axonal fusion in Caenorhabditis elegans by regulating fusogen levels

Vijayaraghavan, Tarika, Dhananjay, Samiksha, Ho, Xue Yan, Giordano-Santini, Rosina, Hilliard, Massimo and Neumann, Brent (2023). The dynamin GTPase mediates regenerative axonal fusion in Caenorhabditis elegans by regulating fusogen levels. PNAS Nexus, 2 (5) pgad114, pgad114. doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad114

The dynamin GTPase mediates regenerative axonal fusion in Caenorhabditis elegans by regulating fusogen levels

2022

Journal Article

Impaired signaling for neuromuscular synaptic maintenance is a feature of Motor Neuron Disease

Ding, Qiao, Kesavan, Kaamini, Lee, Kah Meng, Wimberger, Elyse, Robertson, Thomas, Gill, Melinder, Power, Dominique, Chang, Jeryn, Fard, Atefeh T., Mar, Jessica C., Henderson, Robert D., Heggie, Susan, McCombe, Pamela A., Jeffree, Rosalind L., Colditz, Michael J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Ng, Dominic C. H., Steyn, Frederik J., Phillips, William D., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Ngo, Shyuan T. and Noakes, Peter G. (2022). Impaired signaling for neuromuscular synaptic maintenance is a feature of Motor Neuron Disease. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 10 (1) 61, 61. doi: 10.1186/s40478-022-01360-5

Impaired signaling for neuromuscular synaptic maintenance is a feature of Motor Neuron Disease

2022

Journal Article

The metalloprotease ADM-4/ADAM17 promotes axonal repair

Ho, Xue Yan, Coakley, Sean, Amor, Rumelo, Anggono, Victor and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2022). The metalloprotease ADM-4/ADAM17 promotes axonal repair. Science Advances, 8 (11) eabm2882, eabm2882. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2882

The metalloprotease ADM-4/ADAM17 promotes axonal repair

2022

Journal Article

Neuron-epidermal attachment protects hyper-fragile axons from mechanical strain

Bonacossa-Pereira, Igor, Coakley, Sean and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2022). Neuron-epidermal attachment protects hyper-fragile axons from mechanical strain. Cell Reports, 38 (10) 110501, 110501. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110501

Neuron-epidermal attachment protects hyper-fragile axons from mechanical strain

2021

Journal Article

TDP-43 mutation affects stress granule dynamics in differentiated NSC-34 motoneuron-like cells

Ding, Qiao, Chaplin, Justin, Morris, Matthew J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Wolvetang, Ernst, Ng, Dominic C. H. and Noakes, Peter G. (2021). TDP-43 mutation affects stress granule dynamics in differentiated NSC-34 motoneuron-like cells. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9 611601, 611601. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.611601

TDP-43 mutation affects stress granule dynamics in differentiated NSC-34 motoneuron-like cells

2020

Journal Article

Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies

Gormal, Rachel S., Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Kasula, Ravikiran, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Coakley, Sean, Giacomotto, Jean, Blum, Ailisa, Joensuu, Merja, Wallis, Tristan P., Lo, Harriet P., Budnar, Srikanth, Rae, James, Ferguson, Charles, Bastiani, Michele, Thomas, Walter G., Pardon, Els, Steyaert, Jan, Yap, Alpha S., Goodhill, Geoffrey J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Parton, Robert G. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2020). Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117 (48), 30476-30487. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2007443117

Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies

2020

Journal Article

Fusogen-mediated neuron−neuron fusion disrupts neural circuit connectivity and alters animal behavior

Giordano-Santini, Rosina, Kaulich, Eva, Galbraith, Kate M., Ritchie, Fiona K., Wang, Wei, Li, Zhaoyu and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2020). Fusogen-mediated neuron−neuron fusion disrupts neural circuit connectivity and alters animal behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117 (37), 201919063-23065. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1919063117

Fusogen-mediated neuron−neuron fusion disrupts neural circuit connectivity and alters animal behavior

2020

Journal Article

Epidermal control of axonal attachment via β-spectrin and the GTPase-activating protein TBC-10 prevents axonal degeneration

Coakley, Sean, Ritchie, Fiona K., Galbraith, Kate M. and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2020). Epidermal control of axonal attachment via β-spectrin and the GTPase-activating protein TBC-10 prevents axonal degeneration. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 133, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13795-x

Epidermal control of axonal attachment via β-spectrin and the GTPase-activating protein TBC-10 prevents axonal degeneration

2019

Journal Article

Axonal repair by fusion: pitfalls, consequences and solutions

Neumann, Brent and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2019). Axonal repair by fusion: pitfalls, consequences and solutions. FASEB Journal, 33 (12), 13071-13074. doi: 10.1096/fj.201901407R

Axonal repair by fusion: pitfalls, consequences and solutions

2019

Journal Article

Disruption of RAB-5 increases EFF-1 fusogen availability at the cell surface and promotes the regenerative axonal fusion capacity of the neuron

Linton, Casey, Riyadh, M. Asrafuzzaman, Ho, Xue Yan, Neumann, Brent, Giordano-Santini, Rosina and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2019). Disruption of RAB-5 increases EFF-1 fusogen availability at the cell surface and promotes the regenerative axonal fusion capacity of the neuron. Journal of Neuroscience, 39 (15), 2823-2836. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.1952-18.2019

Disruption of RAB-5 increases EFF-1 fusogen availability at the cell surface and promotes the regenerative axonal fusion capacity of the neuron

2019

Journal Article

Axonal fusion: an alternative and efficient mechanism of nerve repair

Neumann, Brent, Linton, Casey, Giordano-Santini, Rosina and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2019). Axonal fusion: an alternative and efficient mechanism of nerve repair. Progress in Neurobiology, 173, 88-101. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.11.004

Axonal fusion: an alternative and efficient mechanism of nerve repair

2019

Journal Article

Neuronal sub-compartmentalization: a strategy to optimize neuronal function

Donato, Alessandra, Kagias, Konstantinos, Zhang, Yun and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2019). Neuronal sub-compartmentalization: a strategy to optimize neuronal function. Biological Reviews. doi: 10.1111/brv.12487

Neuronal sub-compartmentalization: a strategy to optimize neuronal function

2019

Conference Publication

The metalloprotease ADM-4 promotes regenerative axonal fusion

Ho, X.Y., Coakley, S. and Hilliard, M.A. (2019). The metalloprotease ADM-4 promotes regenerative axonal fusion. International Worm Meeting, UCLA, September. Rockville, MD, United States: Genetics Society of America.

The metalloprotease ADM-4 promotes regenerative axonal fusion

2018

Journal Article

6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans is promoted by the engulfment pathway and inhibited by the transthyretin-related protein TTR-33

Offenburger, Sarah-Lena, Ho, Xue Yan, Tachie-Menson, Theresa, Coakley, Sean, Hilliard, Massimo A. and Gartner, Anton (2018). 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans is promoted by the engulfment pathway and inhibited by the transthyretin-related protein TTR-33. PLoS Genetics, 14 (1) e1007125, 1-27. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007125

6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans is promoted by the engulfment pathway and inhibited by the transthyretin-related protein TTR-33

2018

Journal Article

Defects in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction precedes motor deficits in a TDP-43Q331K transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Chand, Kirat K., Lee, Kah Meng, Lee, John D., Qiu, Hao, Willis, Emily F., Lavidis, Nickolas A., Hilliard, Massimo A. and Noakes, Peter G. (2018). Defects in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction precedes motor deficits in a TDP-43Q331K transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 32 (5), fj201700835R-2689. doi: 10.1096/fj.201700835R

Defects in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction precedes motor deficits in a TDP-43Q331K transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2017

Journal Article

The heterochronic gene lin-14 controls axonal degeneration in C. elegans neurons

Ritchie, Fiona K., Knable, Rhianna, Chaplin, Justin, Gursanscky, Rhiannon, Gallegos, Maria, Neumann, Brent and Hilliard, Massimo A. (2017). The heterochronic gene lin-14 controls axonal degeneration in C. elegans neurons. Cell Reports, 20 (12), 2955-2965. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.08.083

The heterochronic gene lin-14 controls axonal degeneration in C. elegans neurons

2017

Journal Article

A multi-trap microfluidic chip enabling longitudinal studies of nerve regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans

Gokce, Sertan Kutal, Hegarty, Evan Marley, Mondal, Sudip, Zhao, Peisen, Ghorashian, Navid, Hilliard, Massimo A. and Ben-Yakar, Adela (2017). A multi-trap microfluidic chip enabling longitudinal studies of nerve regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. Scientific Reports, 7 (9837) 9837, 9837. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-10302-4

A multi-trap microfluidic chip enabling longitudinal studies of nerve regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans

2017

Journal Article

Phosphatidylserine save-me signals drive functional recovery of severed axons in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abay, Zehra C, Wong, Michelle Yu-Ying, Teoh, Jean-Sébastien, Vijayaraghavan, Tarika, Hilliard, Massimo A and Neumann, Brent (2017). Phosphatidylserine save-me signals drive functional recovery of severed axons in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114 (47), 1-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1703807114

Phosphatidylserine save-me signals drive functional recovery of severed axons in Caenorhabditis elegans

Funding

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2026
    The Australian Functional Genomics Network (Administered by Murdoch Children's Research Institute)
    Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Axonal regeneration and degeneration: cellular and molecular mechanisms
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2022
    Understanding the role of the metalloprotease ADM-4/ADAM17/TACE in promoting axonal repair
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Understanding the role of UNC-71 in axonal regeneration.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    A multifunctional platform for monitoring and manipulating neural activities with freely behaving small animals
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Identification and study of novel conserved molecule with an axonal protective function
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Lattice light sheet microscopy for imaging biology in real space and time
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Epigenetic determination of neuronal vulnerability and neurodegenerative disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Understanding axonal fusion: an alternative mechanism to repair injured axons.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    A state-of-the-art facility for simulataneous photo-stimulation, high speed imaging and electrophysiological recording of multiple neurons in brain tissue and living organisms
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Automatic plate pourer
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Axonal Fusion: New strategies to repair injured axons
    Vice-Chancellor's Research Focused Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Axonal regeneration and degeneration: cellular and molecular mechanisms
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    The role of membrane phospholipids in regenerative axonal fusion (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal fusion.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Computerised stereotaxic stages and rapid tissue processor for enhanced fixation and immunolabelling
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Spectral Applied Research spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed 3D imaging of tissue and live organisms
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Axonal fusion to promote nerve repair: molecules and mechanisms.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Understanding the role of TDP-43 in motor neuron disease.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Spinning disk confocal for advanced high-speed histocytometry and neuromorphology analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Analysis of TDP-43 Target genes in C. elegans
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Molecules and mechanisms regulating axonal degeneration and regeneration in C. elegans neurons
    ARC Future Fellowships
    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
  • 2010 - 2011
    Molecular Mechanisms of Axonal Regeneration in C. elegans Neurons
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Discovering molecules and mechanisms regulating dendrite formation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Membrane fusion in axonal regeneration: molecules and mechanisms
    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 - 2011
    Axonal degeneration in C. elegans neurons
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Femtosecond laser axotomy for in vivo nerve regeneration studies in C. elegans.
    University of Texas at Austin - Grants
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Massimo Hilliard is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the role of oxidative stress in neurodegeneration.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Axonal degeneration and regeneration in C. elegans neurons

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sean Coakley

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Determining how mitochondrial quality is maintained within axons

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular elucidation of TDP-43 co-aggregators in models of ALS/FTD

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam Walker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular pathway elucidation of TDP-43 pathology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam Walker

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Massimo Hilliard directly for media enquiries about:

  • Axonal degeneration
  • Brain - regeneration
  • Brain conditions
  • Brain degeneration
  • C. elegans
  • Degeneration - brain
  • Dendrite outgrowth
  • Diseases - neurodegenerative
  • Genetics - neuroscience
  • Imaging - brain
  • Molecular biology
  • Nerve injury
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Neuronal development
  • Neuronal polarity
  • Neuroscience
  • Regeneration - brain

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