Associate Professor Sean Millard
Associate Professor

Sean Millard

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52991

Background

I received a BA in Biology from Columbia University in New York City. After taking two years off to work as a research assistant, I began graduate school at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, also in New York. My graduate advisor was Andrew Koff at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute. I studied the cdk inhibitor, p27, and discovered that it is regulated at the level of translation as cells exit the cell cycle. I received my PhD in Molecular Biology in 2001. My postdoctoral work was carried out in Larry Zipursky's lab at UCLA. Here, I learned both Drosophila genetics and neurobiology and began working on the Dscam-family of cell recognition molecules. I identified Dscam2 as the first tiling receptor and discovered that Dscam2 and Dscam1 are redundantly required for photoreceptor synaptic specificity. I moved to Brisbane and began as a lecturer at the UQ School of Biomedical Sciences, in December 2009. I am also an affiliate of the Queensland Brain Institute.

Availability

Associate Professor Sean Millard is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Doctoral Diploma, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences

Research interests

  • Molecular mechanisms for wiring the brain

    The overall goal of the Millard lab is to understand how specificity is generated in the brain. This problem is best exemplified by considering that 100 trillion synapses are generated and maintained in the human brain using a toolkit of only 20,000 genes. We have been approaching this problem using molecular genetics in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Most projects in the lab revolve around how a broadly expressed cell surface protein, called Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule 2 (Dscam2), is able to perform specific functions in different neurons. We are also interested in mechanisms of neurological disease, particularly those that involve changes in synaptic function.

Search Professor Sean Millard’s works on UQ eSpace

31 works between 1995 and 2024
All (31) Journal Article (31)

1 - 20 of 31 works

2024

Journal Article

Exaptation of an evolutionary constraint enables behavioural control over the composition of secreted venom in a giant centipede

Schendel, Vanessa, Hamilton, Brett R., Robinson, Samuel D., Green, Kathryn, Sayre, Marcel E., Brown, Darren, Stow, Jennifer L., Øyen, Jan Philip, Voje, Kjetil L., Millard, S. Sean, Vetter, Irina, Rash, Lachlan D. and Undheim, Eivind A. B. (2024). Exaptation of an evolutionary constraint enables behavioural control over the composition of secreted venom in a giant centipede. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02556-9

Exaptation of an evolutionary constraint enables behavioural control over the composition of secreted venom in a giant centipede

2024

Journal Article

Drosophila larval motor patterning relies on regulated alternative splicing of Dscam2

Odierna, G. Lorenzo, Kerwin, Sarah K., Shin, Grace Ji-eun and Millard, S. Sean (2024). Drosophila larval motor patterning relies on regulated alternative splicing of Dscam2. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 17 1415207. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1415207

Drosophila larval motor patterning relies on regulated alternative splicing of Dscam2

Featured

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

Mitochondrial fusion and altered beta-oxidation drive muscle wasting in a Drosophila cachexia model

Dark, Callum, Ali, Nashia, Golenkina, Sofya, Dhyani, Vaibhav, Blazev, Ronnie, Parker, Benjamin L, Murphy, Kate T, Lynch, Gordon S, Senapati, Tarosi, Millard, S Sean, Judge, Sarah M, Judge, Andrew R, Giri, Lopamudra, Russell, Sarah M and Cheng, Louise Y (2024). Mitochondrial fusion and altered beta-oxidation drive muscle wasting in a Drosophila cachexia model. EMBO Reports, 25 (4), 1-24. doi: 10.1038/s44319-024-00102-z

Mitochondrial fusion and altered beta-oxidation drive muscle wasting in a Drosophila cachexia model

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

2020

Journal Article

Elevated levels of Drosophila Wdr62 promote glial cell growth and proliferation through AURKA signalling to AKT and MYC

Shohayeb, Belal, Mitchell, Naomi, Millard, S. Sean, Quinn, Leonie M. and Ng, Dominic C.H. (2020). Elevated levels of Drosophila Wdr62 promote glial cell growth and proliferation through AURKA signalling to AKT and MYC. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research, 1867 (7) 118713, 118713. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118713

Elevated levels of Drosophila Wdr62 promote glial cell growth and proliferation through AURKA signalling to AKT and MYC

2020

Journal Article

Dscam2 suppresses synaptic strength through a PI3K-dependent endosomal pathway

Odierna, G. Lorenzo, Kerwin, Sarah K., Harris, Lucy E., Shin, Grace Ji-eun, Lavidis, Nickolas A., Noakes, Peter G. and Millard, S. Sean (2020). Dscam2 suppresses synaptic strength through a PI3K-dependent endosomal pathway. Journal of Cell Biology, 219 (6) e201909143. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201909143

Dscam2 suppresses synaptic strength through a PI3K-dependent endosomal pathway

2020

Journal Article

The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development

Shohayeb, Belal, Ho, Uda, Yeap, Yvonne Y., Parton, Robert G., Millard, Sean S., Xu, Zhiheng, Piper, Michael and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2020). The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development. Human Molecular Genetics, 29 (2), 248-263. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddz281

The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development

2019

Journal Article

Deterministic splicing of Dscam2 is regulated by Muscleblind

Li, Joshua Shing Shun and Sean Millard, S. (2019). Deterministic splicing of Dscam2 is regulated by Muscleblind. Science Advances, 5 (1) eaav1678, eaav1678. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aav1678

Deterministic splicing of Dscam2 is regulated by Muscleblind

2018

Journal Article

Strategies for assembling columns and layers in the Drosophila visual system

Millard, S. Sean and Pecot, Matthew Y. (2018). Strategies for assembling columns and layers in the Drosophila visual system. Neural Development, 13 (1) 11, 11. doi: 10.1186/s13064-018-0106-9

Strategies for assembling columns and layers in the Drosophila visual system

2018

Journal Article

Regulated alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 is necessary for attaining the appropriate number of photoreceptor synapses

Kerwin, Sarah K., Li, Joshua Shing Shun, Noakes, Peter G., Shin, Grace Ji-eun and Millard, S. Sean (2018). Regulated alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 is necessary for attaining the appropriate number of photoreceptor synapses. Genetics, 208 (2), 717-728. doi: 10.1534/genetics.117.300432

Regulated alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 is necessary for attaining the appropriate number of photoreceptor synapses

2017

Journal Article

Glial-specific functions of microcephaly protein WDR62 and interaction with the mitotic kinase AURKA are essential for Drosophila brain growth

Lim, Nicholas R., Shohayeb, Belal, Zaytseva, Olga, Mitchell, Naomi, Millard, S. Sean, Ng, Dominic C. H. and Quinn, Leonie M. (2017). Glial-specific functions of microcephaly protein WDR62 and interaction with the mitotic kinase AURKA are essential for Drosophila brain growth. Stem Cell Reports, 9 (1), 32-41. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.015

Glial-specific functions of microcephaly protein WDR62 and interaction with the mitotic kinase AURKA are essential for Drosophila brain growth

2016

Journal Article

Dscam proteins direct dendritic targeting through adhesion

Tadros, Wael, Xu, Shuwa, Akin, Orkun, Yi, Caroline H., Shin, Grace Ji-eun, Millard, S. Sean and Zipursky, S. Lawrence (2016). Dscam proteins direct dendritic targeting through adhesion. Neuron, 89 (3), 480-493. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.12.026

Dscam proteins direct dendritic targeting through adhesion

2015

Journal Article

Dscam2 affects visual perception in Drosophila melanogaster

Bosch, Danny S., van Swinderen, Bruno and Millard, S. Sean (2015). Dscam2 affects visual perception in Drosophila melanogaster. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 9 (June) A149, 1-13. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00149

Dscam2 affects visual perception in Drosophila melanogaster

2015

Journal Article

Neuronal cell-type-specific alternative splicing: A mechanism for specifying connections in the brain?

Li, Joshua Shing Shun, Shin, Grace Ji-eun and Millard, Sean S. (2015). Neuronal cell-type-specific alternative splicing: A mechanism for specifying connections in the brain?. Neurogenesis, 2 (1), e1122699.1-e1122699.5. doi: 10.1080/23262133.2015.1122699

Neuronal cell-type-specific alternative splicing: A mechanism for specifying connections in the brain?

2014

Journal Article

Cell-specific alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 is crucial for proper neuronal wiring

Lah, Grace Ji-eun, Li, Joshua Shing Shun and Millard, S. Sean (2014). Cell-specific alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 is crucial for proper neuronal wiring. Neuron, 83 (6), 1376-1388. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.002

Cell-specific alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 is crucial for proper neuronal wiring

2013

Journal Article

Combinatorial rules of precursor specification underlying olfactory neuron diversity

Li, Qingyun, Ha, Tal Soo, Okuwa, Sumie, Wang, Yiping, Wang, Qian, Millard, S. Sean, Smith, Dean P. and Volkan, Pelin Cayirlioglu (2013). Combinatorial rules of precursor specification underlying olfactory neuron diversity. Current Biology, 23 (24), 2481-2490. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.10.053

Combinatorial rules of precursor specification underlying olfactory neuron diversity

2013

Journal Article

Vision in Drosophila: seeing the world through a model's eyes

Paulk, Angelique, Millard, S. Sean and van Swinderen, Bruno (2013). Vision in Drosophila: seeing the world through a model's eyes. Annual Review of Entomology, 58 (1), 313-332. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153715

Vision in Drosophila: seeing the world through a model's eyes

2010

Journal Article

Drosophila Dscam proteins regulate postsynaptic specificity at multiple-contact synapses

Millard, S. Sean, Lu, Zhiyuan, Zipursky, S. Lawrence and Meinertzhagen, Ian A. (2010). Drosophila Dscam proteins regulate postsynaptic specificity at multiple-contact synapses. Neuron, 67 (5), 761-768. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.08.030

Drosophila Dscam proteins regulate postsynaptic specificity at multiple-contact synapses

2008

Journal Article

Dscam-mediated cell recognition regulates neural circuit formation

Hattori, D., Millard, S. S., Wojtowicz, W. M. and Zipursky, S. L. (2008). Dscam-mediated cell recognition regulates neural circuit formation. Annual Review of Cell And Developmental Biology, 24 (1), 597-620. doi: 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.24.110707.175250

Dscam-mediated cell recognition regulates neural circuit formation

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Elucidating the role of UNC13A risk variants in sporadic frontotemporal dementia
    Dementia Australia Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Understanding how the ALS risk factor, GGNBP2, contributes to autophagy
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Tuning mitophagy in mitochondrial diseases
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2022
    Inhibition of mitophagy by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Identifying molecular pathways affected by the sporadic ALS risk factor, GGNBP2
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Identifying conserved alternative splicing mechanisms in vivo
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Functional analysis of ALS candidate genes
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    4-Dimensional multi-photon microscopy for understanding neural circuits and behaviour
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    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 - 2019
    How the dosage of a Down syndrome candidate gene affects neural circuitry and behaviour
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A state-of-the-art spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed imaging of live cells and super resolution microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Identifying mechanisms that increase the pool of brain wiring proteins
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    The role of complement proteins in fly neurodevelopment
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Sean Millard is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cellular mechanisms of neuroprotection

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sean Coakley

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Tracking the dynamics of transsynaptic nanocolumns during synaptic transmission and plasticity

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Frederic Meunier, Dr Adekunle Bademosi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Julia Pagan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterising a new role for the microcephaly protein WDR62 in cellular purine metabolism

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Dominic Ng

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Julia Pagan

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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