![Professor Jürgen Götz](/sites/default/files/profiles/2692.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Professor Jürgen Götz (PhD, Dr. habil, FAHMS, GAICD) is Foundation Chair of Dementia Research, Director of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at the Queensland Brain Institute (University of Queensland), NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Ultrasound Team Leader. In 2023 he became the Lesleigh Green - Bill and Nancy Green Endowed Chair in Dementia Research. Jürgen Götz performed undergraduate studies at the Biocenter of the University of Basel, before joining the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Georges Köhler to obtain his PhD degree in immunology. Subsequently, he took up postdoctoral positions at UCSF (San Francisco) and Sandoz Ltd (now Novartis, Basel), and worked as Research Group Leader (venia legendi, Dr. habil.) at the University of Zurich (Switzerland). Before taking up his current position, Jürgen Götz was a Professor and Chair of Molecular Biology at the University of Sydney.
Jürgen Götz is a highly cited researcher (Clarivate) and an expert in basic and translational research in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how Tau and Aβ cause neurodegeneration, using transgenic and cellular models, and exploring low-intensity ultrasound as a novel treatment modality for AD and other brain diseases (>220 publications, including in leading journals such as Science, Cell, Lancet and Neuron; h-index = 86, 27,800+ citations, Google Scholar). Jürgen Götz and his team have built a clinical trial-ready therapeutic ultrasound device and started a first-in-human safety trial in 12 Alzheimer patients (April 2023).
Availability
- Professor Jürgen Götz is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
Research interests
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Alzheimer's disease
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Transgenic modelling and pathomechanisms
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Therapeutic ultrasound as a drug delivery tool
Research impacts
Lesleigh Green - Bill and Nancy Green Endowed Chair in Dementia Research (2023-); Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) (2021); Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science (FAHMS) (2016); Foundation Chair of Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), University of Queensland (2012-).
I am an internationally renowned expert in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). I generated the first tau transgenic mouse model with an early AD phenotype (EMBO J 1995). Together with Dr. Hutton, I published the first mouse model with NFT formation (JBC 2001a). I provided long-sought evidence for the amyloid cascade hypothesis by combining a transgenic and a transplantation approach (Science 2001). This highly cited work was accompanied by an Editorial in the same issue of Science, and selected as Milestone Paper by Alzforum (alzforum.org). I demonstrated a role for FGF5 in the hair growth cycle (Cell 1994), worked on prions (Cell 1998), and showed that the catalytic subunit of PP2A is essential for development (PNAS 1998) and that PP2A is a key enzyme in tau phosphorylation (JBC 2001b, AmJPathol 2003). I established the first in vitro model of Aβ-induced tau filament formation (JBC 2003). Using functional genomics, I provided evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction and a role for glyoxalase in AD (PNAS 2003, JBC 2005, Proteomics 2006, PNAS 2009). I identified a novel function of tau in targeting the kinase Fyn to the to mediate Aβ toxicity (Cell 2010), and a role for Fyn in causing de novo protein synthesis of tau (EMBO J 2017). I also developed a novel ultrasound-based treatment of amyloid- and tau-depositing mice that we are currently developing for clinical application in AD patients (Science Transl Med 2015, Brain 2017, MolPsych 2021). This discovery elicited an overwhelming response from media (numerous media appearances calculated by the UQ Advancement Office to be worth $1m in advertising space rates in the two weeks following the 2015 publication) and the general public (2,000 e-mail requests from patients within four months of publication.
- Highly cited researcher (Clarivate, 2021, 2022)
- 67 of my publications have been cited in 1,121 patent documents: 659 granted patents; 431 patent applications and 31 searches.Jurisdictions include: World Intellectual Property Organization; United States Patent and Trademark Office; and the European Patent Office (The Lens,April 2022).
- Expertscape.com ranking (Top 0.02% of 182,647 published authors worldwide in AD:
225 peer-reviewed articles (3 Cell, 1 Science, 1 Science Transl Med, 3 Neuron, 8 PNAS, 9 EMBO J, 7 J. Biol. Chem., 3 Mol Psych, 5 Acta Neuropathol, 1 Lancet, 4 Nature Rev Neurosci, 3 Nature Rev Neurol, 1 Nature Rev Drug Disc, 3 Nature Prot, 5 Theranostics), Web of Science highly cited papers in the fields of Neuroscience & Behavior (5), Biology & Biochemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Molecular Biology & Genetics. >27,800 times (Google Scholar). Total Impact factor: 2,000; h-index: 86 (78 papers >100 cit).
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=67UrhCQAAAAJ&hl=en
Works
Search Professor Jürgen Götz’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Proteostasis as a fundamental principle of Tau immunotherapy
Cruz, Esteban, Nisbet, Rebecca M, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, van Waardenberg, Ashley J, Graham, Mark E, Nkajja, Godfrey, Tapaswi, Swara, Connor, Bradley J, Robinson, Phil and Götz, Jürgen (2024). Proteostasis as a fundamental principle of Tau immunotherapy. Brain. doi: 10.1093/brain/awae254
2024
Journal Article
Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation
Leinenga, Gerhard, Padmanabhan, Pranesh and Götz, Jürgen (2024). Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 100 (s1), 1-12. doi: 10.3233/jad-240616
2024
Journal Article
Scanning ultrasound-mediated memory and functional improvements do not require amyloid-β reduction
Leinenga, Gerhard, To, Xuan Vinh, Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel, Yousef, Jumana, Richter-Stretton, Gina, Palliyaguru, Tishila, Chicoteau, Antony, Dagley, Laura, Nasrallah, Fatima and Götz, Jürgen (2024). Scanning ultrasound-mediated memory and functional improvements do not require amyloid-β reduction. Molecular Psychiatry, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02509-5
2024
Journal Article
Ultrasound and antibodies — a potentially powerful combination for Alzheimer disease therapy
Götz, Jürgen and Padmanabhan, Pranesh (2024). Ultrasound and antibodies — a potentially powerful combination for Alzheimer disease therapy. Nature Reviews Neurology, 20 (5) ARTN s41582-024-00943-1, 1-2. doi: 10.1038/s41582-024-00943-1
2024
Journal Article
Single-molecule imaging of Tau reveals how phosphorylation affects its movement and confinement in living cells
Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Kneynsberg, Andrew, Cruz, Esteban, Briner, Adam and Götz, Jürgen (2024). Single-molecule imaging of Tau reveals how phosphorylation affects its movement and confinement in living cells. Molecular Brain, 17 (1) 7, 7. doi: 10.1186/s13041-024-01078-6
2024
Other Outputs
Scanning ultrasound-mediated improvements in APP23 mice in vivo imaging
Leinenga, Gerhard, Richter-Stretton, Gina, To, Xuan Vinh and Götz, Jürgen (2024). Scanning ultrasound-mediated improvements in APP23 mice in vivo imaging. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/0239687
2024
Journal Article
Multimodal evaluation of blood-brain barrier opening in mice in response to low-intensity ultrasound and a claudin-5 binder
Chen, Liyu, Song, Jae, Richter-Stretton, Gina, Lee, Wendy, Padmanabhan, Pranesh and Götz, Jürgen (2024). Multimodal evaluation of blood-brain barrier opening in mice in response to low-intensity ultrasound and a claudin-5 binder. Nanotheranostics, 8 (4), 427-441. doi: 10.7150/ntno.95146
2023
Conference Publication
Neuronal targeting of tau using a mRNA‐encoded tau‐specific antibody fragment
Wongsodirdjo, Patricia, Caruso, Alayna C., Vella, Laura J., Hung, Ya Hui, Götz, Jürgen and Nisbet, Rebecca M. (2023). Neuronal targeting of tau using a mRNA‐encoded tau‐specific antibody fragment. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference AAIC 2023, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 16-20 July 2023. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/alz.082634
2023
Journal Article
Vascular senescence and leak are features of the early breakdown of the blood–brain barrier in Alzheimer’s disease models
Ting, Ka Ka, Coleman, Paul, Kim, Hani Jieun, Zhao, Yang, Mulangala, Jocelyne, Cheng, Ngan Ching, Li, Wan, Gunatilake, Dilini, Johnstone, Daniel M., Loo, Lipin, Neely, G. Gregory, Yang, Pengyi, Götz, Jürgen, Vadas, Mathew A. and Gamble, Jennifer R. (2023). Vascular senescence and leak are features of the early breakdown of the blood–brain barrier in Alzheimer’s disease models. GeroScience, 45 (6), 3307-3331. doi: 10.1007/s11357-023-00927-x
2023
Journal Article
Three methods for examining the de novo proteome of microglia using BONCAT bioorthogonal labeling and FUNCAT click chemistry
Carlisle, Alison Keolani, Götz, Jürgen and Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel (2023). Three methods for examining the de novo proteome of microglia using BONCAT bioorthogonal labeling and FUNCAT click chemistry. STAR Protocols, 4 (3) 102418, 102418. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102418
2023
Journal Article
Break and accelerator—The mechanics of Tau (and amyloid) toxicity
Cruz, Esteban, Nisbet, Rebecca M. and Götz, Jürgen (2023). Break and accelerator—The mechanics of Tau (and amyloid) toxicity. Cytoskeleton, 81 (1), 24-29. doi: 10.1002/cm.21781
2023
Journal Article
ER‐mitochondria contacts and cholesterol metabolism are disrupted by disease‐associated tau protein
Szabo, Leonora, Cummins, Nadia, Paganetti, Paolo, Odermatt, Alex, Papassotiropoulos, Andreas, Karch, Celeste, Götz, Jürgen, Eckert, Anne and Grimm, Amandine (2023). ER‐mitochondria contacts and cholesterol metabolism are disrupted by disease‐associated tau protein. EMBO reports, 24 (8) e57499, 1-26. doi: 10.15252/embr.202357499
2023
Journal Article
Special issue on “Cytoskeletal proteins in health and neurodegenerative disease: Concepts and methods”
Brandt, Roland and Götz, Jürgen (2023). Special issue on “Cytoskeletal proteins in health and neurodegenerative disease: Concepts and methods”. Brain Research Bulletin, 198, 50-52. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.04.007
2023
Journal Article
Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research
Padmanabhan, Pranesh and Götz, Jürgen (2023). Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research. Nature Aging, 3 (5), 481-493. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00402-4
2023
Other Outputs
Scanning ultrasound-mediated memory and functional improvements do not require amyloid-β reduction
Leinenga, Gerhard, To, Xuan Vinh, Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel, Youse, Jumana, Richter-Stretton, Gina, Palliyaguru, Tishila, Chicoteau, Antony, Dagley, Laura, Nasrallah, Fatima and Götz, Jürgen (2023). Scanning ultrasound-mediated memory and functional improvements do not require amyloid-β reduction.
2023
Journal Article
Ultrasound as a versatile tool for short- and long-term improvement and monitoring of brain function
Blackmore, Daniel G., Razansky, Daniel and Götz, Jürgen (2023). Ultrasound as a versatile tool for short- and long-term improvement and monitoring of brain function. Neuron, 111 (8), 1174-1190. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.018
2023
Journal Article
Tyrosine phosphatase STEP61 in human dementia and in animal models with amyloid and tau pathology
Taylor, Deonne, Kneynsberg, Andrew, van Roijen, Marloes and Götz, Jürgen (2023). Tyrosine phosphatase STEP61 in human dementia and in animal models with amyloid and tau pathology. Molecular Brain, 16 (1) 6, 6. doi: 10.1186/s13041-023-00994-3
2022
Journal Article
CRISPRi screening reveals regulators of tau pathology shared between exosomal and vesicle-free tau
Polanco, Juan Carlos, Akimov, Yevhen, Fernandes, Avinash, Briner, Adam, Hand, Gabriel Rhys, van Roijen, Marloes, Balistreri, Giuseppe and Götz, Jürgen (2022). CRISPRi screening reveals regulators of tau pathology shared between exosomal and vesicle-free tau. Life Science Alliance, 6 (1) e202201689, 1-15. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202201689
2022
Journal Article
Fyn nanoclustering requires switching to an open conformation and is enhanced by FTLD-Tau biomolecular condensates
Martínez-Mármol, Ramón, Small, Christopher, Jiang, Anmin, Palliyaguru, Tishila, Wallis, Tristan P., Gormal, Rachel S., Sibarita, Jean-Baptiste, Götz, Jürgen and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2022). Fyn nanoclustering requires switching to an open conformation and is enhanced by FTLD-Tau biomolecular condensates. Molecular Psychiatry, 28 (2), 946-862. doi: 10.1038/s41380-022-01825-y
2022
Journal Article
Opportunities and challenges in delivering biologics for Alzheimer's disease by low-intensity ultrasound
Chen, Liyu, Cruz, Esteban, Oikari, Lotta E., Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Song, Jae and Götz, Jürgen (2022). Opportunities and challenges in delivering biologics for Alzheimer's disease by low-intensity ultrasound. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 189 114517, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114517
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Jürgen Götz is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Feasibility study of using low-intensity focused ultrasound as a novel modality for the delivery of genetic material such as expression vectors and gene editing reagents to the mouse brain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Esteban Cruz Gonzalez
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Doctor Philosophy
Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of autophagy induction in neurons following application of focused ultrasound.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Esteban Cruz Gonzalez
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Doctor Philosophy
Role of Microglia in Neurotrauma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Marc Ruitenberg, Dr Emily Willis, Associate Professor Jana Vukovic
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Doctor Philosophy
In vitro microscopy studies into the organization and dynamics of key proteins that form the blood-brain barrier in physiological and pathological ageing and in response to therapeutic ultrasound
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gerhard Leinenga, Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetic tools to study microglia and barrier-associated macrophages
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Marc Ruitenberg, Dr Seung Jae Kim, Associate Professor Jana Vukovic
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Doctor Philosophy
The impact of peripheral inflammation on neurodegeneration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Liviu Bodea
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and cellular studies of neurodegenerative disease and neuronal protein synthesis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Juan Polanco, Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The role of the phosphatase STEP and kinase Fyn in neurophysiology and pathology
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the de novo proteome in neurodegenerative disease- a click chemistry approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Liviu Bodea
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier opening as a potential non-invasive therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Synaptic Apoptosis in Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of PTEN in Neurodegeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Liviu Bodea
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Tau in Mitochondrial Dynamics and Quality Control
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating in vivo the principles governing the spread of tau phosphorylation and amyloid-beta excitotoxicity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Massimo Hilliard
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The molecular mechanism of the Tau-Fyn interaction and dendritic targeting in neurons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Frederic Meunier
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Investigations of the effects of scanning focused ultrasound in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Activity-dependent trafficking of NMDA receptors in mammalian central neurons
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Victor Anggono
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular mechanisms of inflammasome-driven Alzheimer's disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sabrina Sofia Burgener, Professor Kate Schroder
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating synaptic compensation following oligomeric Aß induced-dendritic spine loss.
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of novel small molecule PP2A inhibitors and their potential application in Alzheimer's Disease
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Tau-specific immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of tauopathies
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Role of microglia in traumatic brain injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jana Vukovic
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamic Reorganization of Presynaptic Proteins During Neurotransmission and Neuronal Degeneration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Professor Frederic Meunier
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic study of Alzheimer's disease using mutant C. elegans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Ebert
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Neurotrophin Regulation of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Coulson
Media
Enquiries
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- Alzheimer
- dementia
- therapeutic ultrasound
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