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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
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
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The epidermis shields axons from movement-induced damage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sean Coakley
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of axonal repair using C. elegans as a model system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sean Coakley
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Neuronal response to reactive oxygen species and axonal compartmentalization in C. elegans neurons
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Function and regulation of the fusogen EFF-1 during axonal repair
Principal Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
The Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Axonal Maintenance and Regeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Uncovering Modifiers of mtDNA Damage Expressivity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn
-
2020
Master Philosophy
The onset, early dynamics, and cortical-area specificity of neural activity in the developing neocortex of the fat-tailed dunnart
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Helen Cooper
-
2019
Master Philosophy
Discovery of Molecules that Suppress the Effect of Mitochondrial Genome Damage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
The role of TDP-43 and neuromuscular junction stability in modifying the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mark Bellingham, Professor Ernst Wolvetang, Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation and function of Drosophila Dscam2 alternative splicing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating in vivo the principles governing the spread of tau phosphorylation and amyloid-beta excitotoxicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jürgen Götz
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Phosphine resistance mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Ebert
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Visual Attention and Sleep Homeostasis in Drosophila
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard, Professor Bruno van Swinderen
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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