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)

21 - 31 of 31 works

2008

Journal Article

Dscam-mediated repulsion controls tiling and self-avoidance

Millard, S. Sean and Zipursky, S. Lawrence (2008). Dscam-mediated repulsion controls tiling and self-avoidance. Current Opinion In Neurobiology, 18 (1), 84-89. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2008.05.005

Dscam-mediated repulsion controls tiling and self-avoidance

2007

Journal Article

Dscam2 mediates axonal tiling in the Drosophila visual system

Millard, S. S., Flanagan, J. J., Pappu, K. S., Wu, W. and Zipursky, S. L. (2007). Dscam2 mediates axonal tiling in the Drosophila visual system. Nature, 447 (7145), 720-724. doi: 10.1038/nature05855

Dscam2 mediates axonal tiling in the Drosophila visual system

2004

Journal Article

Alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam generates axon guidance receptors that exhibit isoform-specific homophilic binding

Wojtowicza, Woj M., Flanagan, John J., Millard, S. Sean, Zipursky, S.Lawrence and Clemens, James C. (2004). Alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam generates axon guidance receptors that exhibit isoform-specific homophilic binding. Cell, 118 (5), 619-633. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.08.021

Alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam generates axon guidance receptors that exhibit isoform-specific homophilic binding

2002

Journal Article

Rho activity can alter the translation of p27 mRNA and is important for RasV12-induced transformation in a manner dependent on p27 status

Vidal, Anxo, Millard, S. Sean, Miller, Jeffrey P. and Koff, Andrew (2002). Rho activity can alter the translation of p27 mRNA and is important for RasV12-induced transformation in a manner dependent on p27 status. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277 (19), 16433-16440. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112090200

Rho activity can alter the translation of p27 mRNA and is important for RasV12-induced transformation in a manner dependent on p27 status

2000

Journal Article

A U-rich element in the 5′ untranslated region is necessary for the translation of p27 mRNA

Millard, S. Sean, Vidal, Anxo, Markus, Maurice and Koff, Andrew (2000). A U-rich element in the 5′ untranslated region is necessary for the translation of p27 mRNA. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 20 (16), 5947-5959. doi: 10.1128/MCB.20.16.5947-5959.2000

A U-rich element in the 5′ untranslated region is necessary for the translation of p27 mRNA

1998

Journal Article

Distinct altered patterns of p27KIP1 gene expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma

Cordon-Cardo, Carlos, Koff, Andrew, Drobnjak, Marija, Capodieci, Paola, Osman, Iman, Millard, S. Sean, Gaudin, Paul B., Fazzari, Melissa, Zhang, Zuo-Feng, Massague, Joan and Scher, Howard I. (1998). Distinct altered patterns of p27KIP1 gene expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 90 (17), 1284-1291. doi: 10.1093/jnci/90.17.1284

Distinct altered patterns of p27KIP1 gene expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma

1998

Journal Article

A naturally occurring mutation in FcyRIIA: a Q to K127 change confers unique IgG binding properties to the R131 allelic form of the receptor

Norris, Cynthia F., Pricop, Luminita, Millard, Sean S., Taylor, Scott M., Surrey, Saul, Schwartz, Elias, Salmon, Jane E. and McKenzie, Steven E. (1998). A naturally occurring mutation in FcyRIIA: a Q to K127 change confers unique IgG binding properties to the R131 allelic form of the receptor. Blood, 91 (2), 656-662.

A naturally occurring mutation in FcyRIIA: a Q to K127 change confers unique IgG binding properties to the R131 allelic form of the receptor

1998

Journal Article

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in restriction point control, genomic stability, and tumorigenesis

Millard, S. S. and Koff, A. (1998). Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in restriction point control, genomic stability, and tumorigenesis. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Supplement, 30/31, 37-42.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in restriction point control, genomic stability, and tumorigenesis

1997

Journal Article

Enhanced ribosomal association of p27Kip1 mRNA is a mechanism contributing to accumulation during growth arrest

Millard, S. Sean, Yan, Jie Shi, Nguyen, Hoang, Pagano, Michele, Kiyokawa, Hiroaki and Koff, Andrew (1997). Enhanced ribosomal association of p27Kip1 mRNA is a mechanism contributing to accumulation during growth arrest. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 272 (11), 7093-7098. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.11.7093

Enhanced ribosomal association of p27Kip1 mRNA is a mechanism contributing to accumulation during growth arrest

1996

Journal Article

Fc gamma RIIA alleles are heritable risk factors for lupus nephritis in African Americans

Salmon, Jane E., Millard, Sean, Schachter, Leah A., Arnett, Frank C., Ginzler, Ellen M., Gourley, Mark F., Ramsey-Goldman, Rosalind, Peterson, Margaret G.E. and Kimberly, Robert P. (1996). Fc gamma RIIA alleles are heritable risk factors for lupus nephritis in African Americans. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 97 (5), 1348-1354. doi: 10.1172/JCI118552

Fc gamma RIIA alleles are heritable risk factors for lupus nephritis in African Americans

1995

Journal Article

Fc gamma receptor IIb enhances Fc gamma receptor IIa function in an oxidant-dependent and allele-sensitive manner

Salmon, Jane E., Millard, Sean S., Brogle, Nina L. and Kimberly, Robert P. (1995). Fc gamma receptor IIb enhances Fc gamma receptor IIa function in an oxidant-dependent and allele-sensitive manner. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 95 (6), 2877-2885. doi: 10.1172/JCI117994

Fc gamma receptor IIb enhances Fc gamma receptor IIa function in an oxidant-dependent and allele-sensitive manner

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

    Mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Julia Pagan

  • 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

    The regulation of BNIP3 and NIX by SCFFBXL4-PPTC7 and the broader role of mitophagy receptors

    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

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