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Professor Jürgen Götz
Professor

Jürgen Götz

Email: 

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

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg

Research interests

  • Alzheimer's disease

  • Transgenic modelling and pathomechanisms

  • 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

274 works between 1985 and 2024

1 - 20 of 274 works

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

Proteostasis as a fundamental principle of Tau immunotherapy

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

Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation

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

Scanning ultrasound-mediated memory and functional improvements do not require amyloid-β reduction

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

Ultrasound and antibodies — a potentially powerful combination for Alzheimer disease therapy

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

Single-molecule imaging of Tau reveals how phosphorylation affects its movement and confinement in living cells

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

Scanning ultrasound-mediated improvements in APP23 mice in vivo imaging

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

Multimodal evaluation of blood-brain barrier opening in mice in response to low-intensity ultrasound and a claudin-5 binder

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

Neuronal targeting of tau using a mRNA‐encoded tau‐specific antibody fragment

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

Vascular senescence and leak are features of the early breakdown of the blood–brain barrier in Alzheimer’s disease models

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

Three methods for examining the de novo proteome of microglia using BONCAT bioorthogonal labeling and FUNCAT click chemistry

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

Break and accelerator—The mechanics of Tau (and amyloid) toxicity

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

ER‐mitochondria contacts and cholesterol metabolism are disrupted by disease‐associated tau protein

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

Special issue on “Cytoskeletal proteins in health and neurodegenerative disease: Concepts and methods”

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

Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research

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.

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

Ultrasound as a versatile tool for short- and long-term improvement and monitoring of brain function

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

Tyrosine phosphatase STEP61 in human dementia and in animal models with amyloid and tau pathology

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

CRISPRi screening reveals regulators of tau pathology shared between exosomal and vesicle-free tau

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

Fyn nanoclustering requires switching to an open conformation and is enhanced by FTLD-Tau biomolecular condensates

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

Opportunities and challenges in delivering biologics for Alzheimer's disease by low-intensity ultrasound

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Complementary strategies to increase the utility of low-intensity ultrasound as a therapeutic modality for Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Fyn-STEP-Tau axis: the nanoscale mechanisms of synaptic plasticity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Clinical translation and regional Queensland health practice implementation of the ultrasound application for AD treatment developed at the Queensland Brain Institute's CJCADR
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Click chemistry to reveal how neurons and glia shape perineuronal nets
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Restoring plasticity and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease
    Alzheimer's Association (Chicago)
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Facilitating focused ultrasound-mediated tau clearance in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies by understanding the underlying autophagic mechanisms (AUTOFUS)
    Boosting Dementia Research Grants (PR4): European Union Joint Program on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) Call for Multinational Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Facilitating focused ultrasound-mediated tau clearance in Alzheimer's disease and other taupathies by understanding the underlying autophagic mechanisms - AUTOFUS (EU-JPND grant)
    Boosting Dementia Research Grants (PR4): European Union Joint Program on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) Call for Multinational Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Understanding signalling in the brain in neurons and at the blood-brain barrier in the context of Alzheimer's disease pathology and its treatment
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2026
    Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research
    Terry and Maureen Hopkins Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2028
    The Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2025
    Translational Ultrasound Project
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2020
    Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research - Lexus Owner's Gift for NEPA21 InVivo/InVitro Electoporation System
    Lexus
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Queensland Brain Institute Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research - Commercialisation of the application of ultrasound for treatment of Alzheimer's disease
    Queensland Government Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Regulation of mRNA translation by the microtubule-associated protein Tau
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Histology and Advanced Microscopy Research Facility upgrade
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Unravelling how exosomes induce and propagate tau pathology
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Scanning ultrasound to treat dementia
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Translational Ultrasound for Alzheimer's disease treatment
    Anchorfield Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    MM Electrical Merchandising Mid-Career Fellowship (Alzheimer's Disease)
    Metal Manufacturers Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    A specialised surgical and behavioural facility for longitudinal, multimodal examination of the rodent brain
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Exploring Scanning Ultrasound (SUS), a novel method to treat and prevent neurodegenerative disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Role of the microglial adaptor molecule TYROBP in Alzheimer's disease pathology
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Tau and ITS master regulator Fyn in Neurons
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Yulgilbar Foundation Grant
    The Yulgilbar Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    A novel click chemistry approach to identify learning and memory molecules
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Light-sheet microscope for high-speed 3D imaging of live organisms and fixed tissue
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Computerised stereotaxic stages and rapid tissue processor for enhanced fixation and immunolabelling
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Spectral Applied Research spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed 3D imaging of tissue and live organisms
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR) (Commonwealth Funding - NHMRC Strategic Funds - Boost Dementia Research)
    NHMRC Other Strategic Funding Initiatives
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    AADRF Postdoctoral Fellowship: Targeting pathogenic tau with phosphorylated-tau specific intrabodies
    Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Generation of phosphorylated tau-specific intrabodies for the treatment of tauopathies
    Brain Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Touchscreen-automated cognitive testing for mice
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    Operation of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR)
    Queensland Government Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2021
    Peter Hilton Research Fellowship in Dementia
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Frontotemporal dementia and motor neurodegenerative syndromes (NHMRC Program Grant administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Nuclear functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Spinning disk confocal for advanced high-speed histocytometry and neuromorphology analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Selective vulnerability in Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders: Mechanism of tau pathology
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2022
    Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at The Queensland Brain Institute
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Jürgen Götz is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Jürgen Götz directly for media enquiries about:

  • Alzheimer
  • dementia
  • therapeutic ultrasound

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