Associate Professor

Peter Noakes

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51780
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51640

Availability

Associate Professor Peter Noakes is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Immunology Neurosciences

Research interests

  • RESEARCH AREA 1:

    The cell and molecular mechanisms that underlie developmental motoneuron cell death. This involves examining a number of genetically modified mice that we and our colleagues have created. In each of these mice we have inactivated the genes that encode for synaptic signalling molecules, such as agrin and laminins, or molecules that are needed to cluster ion channels in the postsynaptic membranes of muscles and/or neurones, such as rapsyn and gephyrin.

  • RESEARCH AREA 2:

    The molecular mechanisms that underpin synapse formation and plasticity. This involves exploring the signal transduction mechanisms that are activated when signalling molecules such as neuregulin-1 (ARIA, beta-heregulin 1), or agrin active ErbB or MuSK receptors in the membrane of muscle respectively.

  • RESEARCH AREA 3:

    The biological role of P2X1, 2, 4 and 7 in the living animal. This is big project and involves making tissue inducible gene knockouts of these ion channels. At present we are well on the way to making such mice. However, before we can gain a proper understanding of their role in mice that are missing these ion channel subunits, we need to know their developmental expression profile in the developing mouse. In particular when and where they are expressed in the developing nervous system.

  • RESEARCH AREA 4:

    The biological role of TGFbeta 2 at adult synapses. This will involve looking at mice we are making where we the gene for TGFbeta is knockout out in adult muscle and/or in the adult spinal cord (a tissue inducible knockout out of TGFbeta 2). The mice should be ready sometime next year but no firm dates for this one.

  • RESEARCH AREA 5:

    The Control of synaptic gene expression. This project in the first part is simply a promoter and 3' UTR analysis of some 30 genes that appear at the same time in the postsynaptic region of skeletal muscle. It is aimed at looking for common regulatory elements and or spacing patterns of such elements (enhancers and repressors). It is high risk and involves some biological and mathematical knowledge. The biological part of this project will involve making transgenic mice with test non-coding DNA linked to reporter constructs such as green fluorescent protein (GFP). The aim here is to see if such elements can drive synapse expression of reporter genes (eg GFP)

  • RESEARCH AREA 6:

    The roles of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1, IGF-2), as well as insulin. in the proliferation and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. This is not a neurobiology-based project, but is early developmental biology one. It will also have links through our USA collaborators to understanding the role of such growth factors in the proliferation tumor cells within the brain (U87 a nasty brain tumor). In particular, this project is aimed at looking at the signalling pathways that are activated when these growth factors activate their receptors, which are on these stem and tumor cells. We also want to know if these signalling pathways activate proliferation and differentiation. And if so what are the down stream target genes involved.

Search Professor Peter Noakes’s works on UQ eSpace

170 works between 1983 and 2024
All (170) Journal Article (106) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (63)

81 - 100 of 170 works

2008

Conference Publication

Nerve to Muscle Signalling in Myasthenia Gravis

Ngo, S. T., Cole, R. N., Phillips, W. D. and Noakes, P. G. (2008). Nerve to Muscle Signalling in Myasthenia Gravis. Australian Society for Medical Research, PA Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, May 2008.

Nerve to Muscle Signalling in Myasthenia Gravis

2007

Journal Article

GABA-deficient mice produce regional alterations in motoneuron survival during neural development

Noakes, P. G., Smallcombe, K., Arata, A., Obata, A., Davies, J. and Bellingham, M. C. (2007). GABA-deficient mice produce regional alterations in motoneuron survival during neural development. The Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 27 (33).

GABA-deficient mice produce regional alterations in motoneuron survival during neural development

2007

Conference Publication

Signaling underlying postsynaptic differentiation at the neuro-muscular junction

Chen, Fei, Qian, Lei, Yang, Zhi-hua, Huang, Ying, Ngo, Shyuan T., Ruan, Nan-jie, Wang, Jia, Schneider, Claudio, Noakes, Peter G., Ding, Yu-qiang, Mei, Lin and Luo, Zhen-ge (2007). Signaling underlying postsynaptic differentiation at the neuro-muscular junction. The 19th Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists Inc. (FAOBMB) Meeting, Seoul, Korea, 27-31 May, 2007.

Signaling underlying postsynaptic differentiation at the neuro-muscular junction

2007

Journal Article

IGF-I and insulin activate mitogen-activated protein kinase via the type 1 IGF receptor in mouse embryonic stem cells

Nguyen, T. T., Sheppard, A. M., Kaye, P. L. and Noakes, P. G. (2007). IGF-I and insulin activate mitogen-activated protein kinase via the type 1 IGF receptor in mouse embryonic stem cells. Reproduction, 134 (1), 41-49. doi: 10.1530/REP-06-0087

IGF-I and insulin activate mitogen-activated protein kinase via the type 1 IGF receptor in mouse embryonic stem cells

2007

Journal Article

Targeting of the ETS factor Gabp alpha disrupts neuromuscular junction synaptic function

O'Leary, Debra A., Noakes, Peter G., Lavidis, Nick A., Kola, Ismail, Hertzog, Paul J. and Ristevski, Sika (2007). Targeting of the ETS factor Gabp alpha disrupts neuromuscular junction synaptic function. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 27 (9), 3470-3480. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00659-06

Targeting of the ETS factor Gabp alpha disrupts neuromuscular junction synaptic function

2007

Conference Publication

Neuregulin modulates postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular synapse

Ngo, S. T., Phillips, W. D. and Noakes, P. G. (2007). Neuregulin modulates postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular synapse. ComBio 2007, Sydney , Australia, September 22-26 2007.

Neuregulin modulates postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular synapse

2007

Journal Article

Neural agrin: A synaptic stabiliser

Ngo, Shyuan T., Noakes, Peter G. and Phillips, William D. (2007). Neural agrin: A synaptic stabiliser. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 39 (5), 863-867. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2006.10.012

Neural agrin: A synaptic stabiliser

2007

Journal Article

Rapsyn interaction with calpain stabilizes AChR clusters at the neuromuscular junction

Chen, F, Qian, L, Yang, ZH, Huang, Y, Ngo, ST, Ruan, NJ, Wang, J, Schneider, C, Noakes, PG, Ding, YQ, Mei, L and Luo, ZG (2007). Rapsyn interaction with calpain stabilizes AChR clusters at the neuromuscular junction. Neuron, 55 (2), 247-260. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.06.031

Rapsyn interaction with calpain stabilizes AChR clusters at the neuromuscular junction

2007

Conference Publication

Regulatory Role of Neuregulin in Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering at the Neuromuscular Synapse

Ngo, S.T., Phillips, W.D. and Noakes, P.G. (2007). Regulatory Role of Neuregulin in Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering at the Neuromuscular Synapse. Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2007, San Diego, CA, U.S.A., 3-7 November, 2007.

Regulatory Role of Neuregulin in Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering at the Neuromuscular Synapse

2007

Journal Article

Neuronal expression of peripherin, a type III intermediate filament protein, in the mouse hindbrain

Barclay, M, Noakes, PG, Ryan, AF, Julien, JP and Housley, GD (2007). Neuronal expression of peripherin, a type III intermediate filament protein, in the mouse hindbrain. Histochemistry And Cell Biology, 128 (6), 541-550. doi: 10.1007/s00418-007-0340-4

Neuronal expression of peripherin, a type III intermediate filament protein, in the mouse hindbrain

2006

Conference Publication

Decrease in spontaneous activity and cell death of the brachial motoneurons in GAD67-deficient mouse embryo

Arata, A., Obata, K., Davies, J., Bellingham, M. and Noakes, P. G. (2006). Decrease in spontaneous activity and cell death of the brachial motoneurons in GAD67-deficient mouse embryo. 29th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society, Kyoto, Japan, 19-21 July 2006. Clare: Elsevier Ireland Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2006.04.004

Decrease in spontaneous activity and cell death of the brachial motoneurons in GAD67-deficient mouse embryo

2006

Conference Publication

Change in the sensitivity of transmitter release to calcium at beta 2 laminin deficient nerve terminals

Scheening, M., Noakes, P. G. and Lavidis, N. A. (2006). Change in the sensitivity of transmitter release to calcium at beta 2 laminin deficient nerve terminals. ComBio 2006, Brisbane, 24-28 September, 2006. Kent Town, SA: Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Change in the sensitivity of transmitter release to calcium at beta 2 laminin deficient nerve terminals

2006

Conference Publication

Neuregulin as a Regulator of Acetylcholine Receptor Clusters at the Neuromuscular Synapse

Ngo S. T., Phillips, W. D. and Noakes, P. G . (2006). Neuregulin as a Regulator of Acetylcholine Receptor Clusters at the Neuromuscular Synapse. 4th Congress of Federation of Asian-Oceanian Neuroscience Societies, Hong Kong, November 30 - December 2.

Neuregulin as a Regulator of Acetylcholine Receptor Clusters at the Neuromuscular Synapse

2006

Conference Publication

Neuregulin is a regulator of acetylcholine receptor clusters at the neuromuscular synapse

Ngo, S. T., Noakes, P. G. and Phillips, W. D. (2006). Neuregulin is a regulator of acetylcholine receptor clusters at the neuromuscular synapse. Kent Town, South Australia, 2006.

Neuregulin is a regulator of acetylcholine receptor clusters at the neuromuscular synapse

2006

Journal Article

Developmental regulation of the neuromotor circuit: peripheral and central synaptic influences in motoneuron numbers and innervation of muscle

Noakes, P. G., Smallcombe, K. L., Kanjhan, R., Arata, A., Banks, G., Obata, K., Betz, H. and Bellingham, M. C. (2006). Developmental regulation of the neuromotor circuit: peripheral and central synaptic influences in motoneuron numbers and innervation of muscle. Proceedings of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 38, SYM-57-03-SYM-57-03.

Developmental regulation of the neuromotor circuit: peripheral and central synaptic influences in motoneuron numbers and innervation of muscle

2006

Conference Publication

A lack of GABA produces regional alterations in motoneuron activity, motoneuron survival and innervation of mice during neural development

Noakes, Peter G., Smallcombe, Karen, Davis, Jonathan and Bellingham, Mark C. (2006). A lack of GABA produces regional alterations in motoneuron activity, motoneuron survival and innervation of mice during neural development. ComBio 2006, Brisbane, Australia, 24-28 September, 2006. Online:

A lack of GABA produces regional alterations in motoneuron activity, motoneuron survival and innervation of mice during neural development

2006

Conference Publication

Neuregulin-1 Modulates Agrin-induced Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering

Shyuan, Ngo, Phillips, W. D. and Noakes, Peter G. (2006). Neuregulin-1 Modulates Agrin-induced Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering. The 26th annual meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Sydney, Australia, 31 Jan - 3 Feb 2006. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North-Holland.

Neuregulin-1 Modulates Agrin-induced Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering

2006

Conference Publication

Role of central and peripheral synaptic connections in regulating developmental motoneuron cell death

Noakes, Peter G. (2006). Role of central and peripheral synaptic connections in regulating developmental motoneuron cell death. 4th Congress of Federation of Asian-Oceanian Neuroscience Societies (FAONS), Hong Kong, 30 November - 2 December, 2006.

Role of central and peripheral synaptic connections in regulating developmental motoneuron cell death

2006

Conference Publication

Differential localization and expression of complement in a rat model of motor neuron disease

Denny, K. J., Crane, J. W., Taylor, S. M. and Noakes, P. G. (2006). Differential localization and expression of complement in a rat model of motor neuron disease. ComBio2006, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Qld, Aust, 24-28 September 2006.

Differential localization and expression of complement in a rat model of motor neuron disease

2006

Conference Publication

Altered expression of MLF1 and Zyxin in response to genetic and physical disruption of neuromuscular synapses

Caudron, A. J., Lichanska, A.M., Cooper, H. M., Kato, N. Y. and Noakes, P. G. (2006). Altered expression of MLF1 and Zyxin in response to genetic and physical disruption of neuromuscular synapses. Australian Neuroscience Society, Sydney, NSW Australia, 2006.

Altered expression of MLF1 and Zyxin in response to genetic and physical disruption of neuromuscular synapses

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Mechanisms that promote the health of the motor unit in MND
    Cure for MND Foundation - Discovery Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Developing treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
    Muscular Dystrophy Association
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Stabilizing Neuromuscular Signaling in Motor Neuron Disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Molecular analyses of pre-synaptic compartments in diseased human and mouse brains
    Brain Foundation Research Gift
    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 - 2023
    Towards the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Understanding neuromuscular synaptic loss in Motor Neuron Disease
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Targeting the molecular basis of muscle weakness in motor neuron disease.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Targeting neuromuscular stability in motor neuron disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Exploiting the opposing actions of complement receptors C3aR and C5aR1 in the treatment of MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    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
  • 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
  • 2015
    The role of altered neuromuscular activity and mRNA transport in modifying the progression of Motor Neuron Disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2015
    The role of altered neuromuscular activity and mRNA transport in modifying the progression of Motor Neuron Disease
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015
    The role of altered neuronal activity and mRNA transport in modifying the progression Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    The role of altered neuromuscular signaling in ALS: factors that modify the course of MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    The role of neuronal hyperactivity and neurotrophic factor signalling in synaptogenesis, dendrogenesis and neuron death in motor neuron disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Understanding the role of TDP-43 in motor neuron disease.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Establishment of Integrated Small Animal Metabolic and Physiology Assessment Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Building UQ's analytical capacity in biomedical sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Dual channel electrophysiological recordings
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a digital Scanscope system for virtual microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    In Situ Hybridization Suite for Biomedical Science Researchers
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Development of a new method of motor unit number estimation for use in motor neurone disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Molecular mechanisms that help organise effective synaptic transmission.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Quantitative Histological Core Facility
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    The role of neuronal hyper-excitability in an animal model of motor neuron disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    The molecular basis of hyper-exactability in corticospinal neurons in a novel mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    Brain Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    High Speed Fluorescence Imaging coupled with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching System
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Olympus disk-spinning confocal microscope system capable of simutaneously imaging a ratiometric (UV) non-ratiometric (visible range) dye
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2008
    The molecular and functional basis of motor neuron hyper-excitability in an animal model of motor neuron disease.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2008
    The role of synaptic laminins in the organisation of pre- and post-synaptic specializations at the neuromuscular synapse
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Evaluation of orally active anti-inflammatory C5a receptor antagonists in a transgenic rat motor neurone disease model
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Phenotypic studies of the NaSi-1 transporter knock-out mouse
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    The role of central and peripheral synaptic activity in the developmental death of motoneurons.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    The effectiveness of C5a receptor antagonists in the treatment of motor neuron disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    A transgenic analysis of the physiologic roles of signaling domains in the growth hormone receptor
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003
    The Role of TGFB2 In Maintaining the Function and Viability of Adult Motor Neurons
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Cell and molecular mechanisms that maintain and promote motoneuron survival: analysis of MuSK, agrin and rapsyn mutant lines of mice
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Role of synaptogenesis in development motoneuron cell death
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000
    High-resolution, high quality digital time-lapse microscopy system
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    A Transgenic Analysis of the Basis for Growth Signalling by the Growth Hormone Receptor
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Functional analysis of neuromuscular synapses in mice that carry specific postsynaptic deletions
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1999
    How neurotrophic factors modulate synaptic connections during development
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Formation, Maintenance and Viability of Synapses
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Molecular mechanisms of how motor nerve connections are maintained
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Network for brain research in mental disorders (Gene Targeting Consortium)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Network for Brain Research into Mental Disorders (Gene Targeting Consortium)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Synaptic Development in the Absence of á2-laminin, Agrin and Rapsyn
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Analysis of mutations affecting the formation and function of neuromuscular synapses
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Analysis of synapse formation in S/á2-laminin deficient mice
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Neuronal cell death in the rapsyn deficient mouse
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Pre-synaptic differentiation in S/beta2-Laminin deficient mice
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Peter Noakes is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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