Associate Professor Frederik Steyn
Associate Professor

Frederik Steyn

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53132

Background

Associate Professor Steyn is a leading expert in neurodegenerative disease research, specializing in the metabolic and physiological aspects of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He currently directs a comprehensive translational research program at the University of Queensland, focusing on the interplay between metabolism and disease progression in MND, and leads key projects investigating the impact of metabolic dysfunction, appetite dysregulation, and hypermetabolism on patient outcomes. His work prioritizes the integration of pre-clinical models, clinical studies, and innovative digital health technologies to advance understanding of the heterogeneity in MND, patient care and therapeutic development.

Associate Professor Steyn’s career began with detailed investigations into the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis, growth, and reproduction. He developed industry-standard methodologies for evaluating hormone release patterns in rodent models, particularly concerning growth hormone regulation. In 2015, he transitioned to focus on neurodegenerative diseases, establishing a research platform at UQ that has significantly advanced the analysis of metabolic phenotypes in MND.

His current research projects include the MEND-MND study, which explores how altered energy metabolism influences disease progression, and the EATT4MND study, which examines the consequences of appetite loss and impaired body weight regulation on disease outcomes. Through collaboration with industry partners, he is also developing novel therapeutic strategies and refining wearable digital health technologies for precise, real-time monitoring of disease progression, including the validation of actigraphy-based measures as clinical trial biomarkers.

Availability

Associate Professor Frederik Steyn is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Zoology

Qualifications

  • Doctoral Diploma, University of Otago

Search Professor Frederik Steyn’s works on UQ eSpace

118 works between 2007 and 2025
All (118) Journal Article (101) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (10) Other Outputs (2)

101 - 118 of 118 works

2013

Journal Article

Increased adiposity and insulin correlates with the progressive suppression of pulsatile GH secretion during weight gain

Steyn, F. J., Xie, T. Y., Huang, L., Ngo, S. T., Veldhuis, J. D., Waters, M. J. and Chen, C. (2013). Increased adiposity and insulin correlates with the progressive suppression of pulsatile GH secretion during weight gain. Journal of Endocrinology, 218 (2), 233-244. doi: 10.1530/JOE-13-0084

Increased adiposity and insulin correlates with the progressive suppression of pulsatile GH secretion during weight gain

2013

Book Chapter

Adiponectin

Steyn, Frederik J. and Chen, Chen (2013). Adiponectin. Handbook of biologically active peptides. (pp. 983-989) edited by Abba J. Kastin. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Academic Press/Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-385095-9.00130-5

Adiponectin

2013

Journal Article

Hypothalamic distribution of somatostatin mRNA expressing neurones relative to pubertal and adult changes in pulsatile growth hormone secretion in mice

Tan, H. Y., Huang, L., Simmons, D., Veldhuis, J. D., Steyn, F. J. and Chen, C. (2013). Hypothalamic distribution of somatostatin mRNA expressing neurones relative to pubertal and adult changes in pulsatile growth hormone secretion in mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25 (10), 910-919. doi: 10.1111/jne.12078

Hypothalamic distribution of somatostatin mRNA expressing neurones relative to pubertal and adult changes in pulsatile growth hormone secretion in mice

2013

Conference Publication

Growth hormone and obesity: a physiological response to an unhealthy condition

Chen, C., Tan, H. Y., Huang, L., Xie, T., Steyn, F. J. and Veldhuis, J. D. (2013). Growth hormone and obesity: a physiological response to an unhealthy condition. 4th Meeting of the Australia-Chinese-Association-for-Biomedical-Sciences-Inc (ACABS 2013), Hangzhou, China, 10-13 October 2013. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12170_4

Growth hormone and obesity: a physiological response to an unhealthy condition

2012

Journal Article

Ghrelin receptor expression and colocalization with anterior pituitary hormones using a GHSR-GFP mouse line

Reichenbach, Alex, Steyn, Frederick J., Sleeman, Mark W. and Andrews, Zane B. (2012). Ghrelin receptor expression and colocalization with anterior pituitary hormones using a GHSR-GFP mouse line. Endocrinology, 153 (11), 5452-5466. doi: 10.1210/en.2012-1622

Ghrelin receptor expression and colocalization with anterior pituitary hormones using a GHSR-GFP mouse line

2012

Journal Article

The decline in pulsatile GH secretion throughout early adulthood in mice is exacerbated by dietary-induced weight gain

Huang, L., Steyn, F. J., Tan, H. Y., Xie, T. Y., Veldhuis, J. D., Ngo, S. T. and Chen, C. (2012). The decline in pulsatile GH secretion throughout early adulthood in mice is exacerbated by dietary-induced weight gain. Endocrinology, 153 (9), 4380-4388. doi: 10.1210/en.2012-1178

The decline in pulsatile GH secretion throughout early adulthood in mice is exacerbated by dietary-induced weight gain

2012

Journal Article

Influence of membrane ion channel in pituitary somatotrophs by hypothalamic regulators

Yang, Seung-Kwon, Steyn, Frederik and Chen, Chen (2012). Influence of membrane ion channel in pituitary somatotrophs by hypothalamic regulators. Cell Calcium, 51 (3-4), 231-239. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2011.12.005

Influence of membrane ion channel in pituitary somatotrophs by hypothalamic regulators

2012

Journal Article

GH does not modulate the early fasting-induced release of free fatty acids in mice

Steyn, F. J., Leong, J. W., Huang, L., Tan, H. Y., Xie, T. Y., Nelson, C., Waters, M. J., Veldhuis, J. D., Epelbaum, J. and Chen, C. (2012). GH does not modulate the early fasting-induced release of free fatty acids in mice. Endocrinology, 153 (1), 273-282. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-1681

GH does not modulate the early fasting-induced release of free fatty acids in mice

2012

Journal Article

Impairments to the GH-IGF-I axis in hSOD1(G93A) mice give insight into possible mechanisms of GH dysregulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Steyn, F. J., Ngo, S. T, Lee, J. D., Leong, J. W., Buckley, A. J., Veldhuis, J. D., McCombe, P. A., Chen, C. and Bellingham, M. C. (2012). Impairments to the GH-IGF-I axis in hSOD1(G93A) mice give insight into possible mechanisms of GH dysregulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Endocrinology, 153 (8), 3735-3746. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-2171

Impairments to the GH-IGF-I axis in hSOD1(G93A) mice give insight into possible mechanisms of GH dysregulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2011

Journal Article

Development of a method for the determination of pulsatile growth hormone secretion in mice

Steyn, F. J., Huang, L., Ngo, S. T., Leong, J. W., Tan, H. Y., Xie, T. Y., Parlow, A. F., Veldhuis, J. D., Waters, M. J. and Chen, C. (2011). Development of a method for the determination of pulsatile growth hormone secretion in mice. Endocrinology, 152 (8), 3165-3171. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-0253

Development of a method for the determination of pulsatile growth hormone secretion in mice

2011

Conference Publication

Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS

Steyn, F.J., Ngo, S.T., Buckley, A.J., Leong, J.W., Veldhuis, J.D., McCombe, P.A., Chen, C. and Bellingham, M.C. (2011). Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS. Endocrine Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia, 28-31 August.

Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS

2011

Conference Publication

Pulsatile growth hormone secretion in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS resembles growth hormone deficiency in ALS patients

Ngo, S. T., Steyn, F. J., Buckley, A. J., Leong, J. W., Veldhuis, J. D., Chen, C., McCombe, P. A. and Bellingham, M. C. (2011). Pulsatile growth hormone secretion in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS resembles growth hormone deficiency in ALS patients. 22nd International ALS/MND Symposium, Sydney, Australia, 30 November - 2 December 2011.

Pulsatile growth hormone secretion in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS resembles growth hormone deficiency in ALS patients

2009

Journal Article

Adiponectin Regulate Growth Hormone Secretion Via Adiponectin Receptor Mediated Ca2+ Signalling in Rat Somatotrophs In Vitro

Steyn, F. J., Boehme, F., Vargas, E., Wang, K., Parkington, H. C., Rao, J. R. and Chen, C. (2009). Adiponectin Regulate Growth Hormone Secretion Via Adiponectin Receptor Mediated Ca2+ Signalling in Rat Somatotrophs In Vitro. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 21 (8), 698-704. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01887.x

Adiponectin Regulate Growth Hormone Secretion Via Adiponectin Receptor Mediated Ca2+ Signalling in Rat Somatotrophs In Vitro

2008

Journal Article

Hormonal regulation of suppressors of cytokine signaling expression in the arcuate nucleus during late pregnancy

Steyn, Frederik J., Anderson, Greg M. and Grattan, David R. (2008). Hormonal regulation of suppressors of cytokine signaling expression in the arcuate nucleus during late pregnancy. Endocrinology, 149 (6), 3206-3214. doi: 10.1210/en.2007-1623

Hormonal regulation of suppressors of cytokine signaling expression in the arcuate nucleus during late pregnancy

2008

Journal Article

Pregnancy-induced adaptation in the neuroendocrine control of prolactin secretion

Grattan, D. R., Steyn, F. J., Kokay, I. C., Anderson, G. M. and Bunn, S. J. (2008). Pregnancy-induced adaptation in the neuroendocrine control of prolactin secretion. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 20 (4), 497-507. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01661.x

Pregnancy-induced adaptation in the neuroendocrine control of prolactin secretion

2008

Journal Article

Hypothalamic prolactin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels, prolactin signaling, and hyperprolactinemic inhibition of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion are dependent on estradiol

Anderson, Greg M., Kieser, David C., Steyn, Frederick J. and Grattan, David R. (2008). Hypothalamic prolactin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels, prolactin signaling, and hyperprolactinemic inhibition of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion are dependent on estradiol. Endocrinology, 149 (4), 1562-1570. doi: 10.1210/en.2007-0867

Hypothalamic prolactin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels, prolactin signaling, and hyperprolactinemic inhibition of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion are dependent on estradiol

2007

Journal Article

Expression of Ovarian Steroid Hormone Receptors in Tuberoinfundibular Dopaminergic Neurones During Pregnancy and Lactation

Steyn, F. J., Anderson, G. M. and Grattan, D. R. (2007). Expression of Ovarian Steroid Hormone Receptors in Tuberoinfundibular Dopaminergic Neurones During Pregnancy and Lactation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 19 (10), 788-793. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2007.01590.x

Expression of Ovarian Steroid Hormone Receptors in Tuberoinfundibular Dopaminergic Neurones During Pregnancy and Lactation

2007

Journal Article

Differential Effects of Centrally-Administered Oestrogen Antagonist ICI-182,780 on Oestrogen-Sensitive Functions in the Hypothalamus

Steyn, F. J., Anderson, G. M. and Grattan , D. R. (2007). Differential Effects of Centrally-Administered Oestrogen Antagonist ICI-182,780 on Oestrogen-Sensitive Functions in the Hypothalamus. Journal Of Neuroendocrinology, 19 (1), 26-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2006.01499.x

Differential Effects of Centrally-Administered Oestrogen Antagonist ICI-182,780 on Oestrogen-Sensitive Functions in the Hypothalamus

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Deciphering the role of muscle-derived extracellular vesicles in ALS pathology
    Cure for MND Foundation - Discovery Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    Using the spatiotemporal dynamics signature of molecular pathology to decipher disease heterogeneity in ALS
    Cure for MND Foundation - Impact Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Targeted wearable robotic exoskeletons to improve movement in patients with ALS (Assistive Technology Grants)
    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA)
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Intramuscular allosteric agonism of purinergic P2X7 receptor as a pharmacological approach to enhance skeletal muscle regeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (FightMND administered by IRFMN)
    IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    From the nucleus to the powerhouse: investigating how TDP-43-mitochondrial interactions wreak havoc in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Untangling mechanisms of energy impairment across the ALS-FTD spectrum of disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Spatial Transcriptomics studies on human tissues
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Targeting inflammasome-driven neuropathology and motor neuron death in MND using a clinically approved cancer drug.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Linda Rynalski Bridge Funding Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Preclinical validation of macimorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, as treatment amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    MND in space and time: deciphering the spatio-temporal landscape of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous drivers of motor neuron death in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Macimorelin as a treatment for ALS/MND
    Aeterna Zentaris GmbH
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Targeting NAT1 to improve metabolism and slow disease progression in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    N-acetyltransferase 1, a modifier of disease outcome in patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Targeting inflammasome-driven neuropathology and motor neuron death in MND using a clinically approved cancer drug.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Tipping the Scales on MND: Preclinical testing of a compound with multiple actions to slow disease progression in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Investigating the immunometabolic nature of motor neurone disease (MND): a study linking metabolism, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in MND patients
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Development of biomarkers for loss of fat free mass and disease progression in patients with Motor Neurone Disease
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Fine tuning metabolic flux: Modulating substrate oxidation as a therapeutic strategy in motor neuron disease (MND)
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Safety and tolerability of Trimetazidine for the treatment of ALS
    Cure for MND Foundation - Drug Development Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    MEND MND - RBWH support
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Point of care assessment of venous acid-base balance and creatinine as markers for disease progression in patients with MND
    Cure for MND Foundation - Impact Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Using single cell RNA-sequencing of induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurones to identify novel disease mechanisms
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Investigating endocrine causes and consequence of loss of appetite in MND patients
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    EATT for MND: Exposing mechanisms of impaired appetite regulation in MND
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Use of Point-of-Care (PoC) testing to improve respiratory management and monitor disease progression in ALS: A pilot study
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Cell-free DNA and ALS; insight into disease mechanisms and progression
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Assessment of metabolic health in neurodegeneration: studies in motor neurone disease (MND)
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Metabolic exploration in neurodegenerative disease (MEND): synergy between derangements in systemic and muscle metabolism in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Re-evaluation of hypermetabolism and the assessment of endogenous adipose as a modifier of ALS/MND progression (MNDRIA Jenny & Graham Lang Collaboration Travel Grant 2016)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Bioenergetic deficit in neurodegeneration: studies in motor neuron disease (MND)
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Metabolic and gut dynamics in MND: Identifying novel strategies to meet energy needs in patients
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Investigating the consequences of increased fat catabolism in motor neurone disease (MND)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Investigating the causes and consequences of growth hormone dysfunction in motor neuron disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Defining the role of the MC4R in modulating GH secretion
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010
    The role of cannabinoids and ghrelin in regulating appetite through leptin
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Frederik Steyn is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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