
Overview
Background
Dr Woodruff is a Professor of Pharmacology who leads a research team aiming to find new therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Current therapies for these diseases are vastly inadequate, and so new research is needed to identify novel targets to slow or halt their progression. Prof Woodruff’s specific research revolves around the innate immune system in the brain, and the role of neuroinflammation in propagating disease. A key focus of his current work is testing new drugs developed at the University of Queensland in models of motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson's disease, as well as maintaining an active interest in acute inflammatory disorders including sepsis and ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Using a series of potent and orally active complement C5a and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors developed at UQ, Prof Woodruff's team has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of targeting innate immune-mediated neuroinflammation to reduce neuronal cell death in animal models of these neurodegenerative diseases. His team has recently shown that in addition to their roles in neurodegeneration, innate immune factors also play essential roles in stem and neuronal cell development during embryogenesis, revealing the widespread physiological and pathological roles of this evolutionarily ancient immune system.
Availability
- Professor Trent Woodruff is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Neurodegenerative disease
Studying new treatments to halt disease progression
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Parkinson's disease
Studying new treatments to halt disease progression
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Motor neuron disease
Studying new treatments to halt disease progression
Works
Search Professor Trent Woodruff’s works on UQ eSpace
2008
Conference Publication
Blockade of C5a receptors reduces astroglial inflammation in a rat SOD1G93A model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Woodruff, Trent, Denny, Kerina, Crane, James, Atkin, Julie, Taylor, Steve and Noakes, Peter (2008). Blockade of C5a receptors reduces astroglial inflammation in a rat SOD1G93A model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ICW Basel, XXII International Complement Workshop, Basel, Switzerland, 28 September-02 October 2008. OXFORD: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.08.202
2008
Journal Article
Targeting ischemic brain injury with intravenous immunoglobulin
Arumugam, Thiruma V., Selvaraj, Pradeep K., Woodruff, Trent M. and Mattson, Mark P. (2008). Targeting ischemic brain injury with intravenous immunoglobulin. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets, 12 (1), 19-29. doi: 10.1517/14728222.12.1.19
2008
Conference Publication
Novel Haemodynamic effects of recombinant C5a and C5a des Arg in rats and mice
Moore, Tyson, Woodruff, Trent, Manthey, Helga, Monk, Peter, Taylor, Stephen and Shiels, Ian (2008). Novel Haemodynamic effects of recombinant C5a and C5a des Arg in rats and mice. ICW Basel, XXII International Complement Workshop, Basel, Switzerland, 28 September-2 October 2008. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elseiver. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.08.165
2008
Conference Publication
Role of complement in motor neuron disease: Animal models and therapeutic potential of complement inhibitors
Woodruff, Trent R., Costantini, Kerina J., Taylor, Steve M. and Noakes, Peter G. (2008). Role of complement in motor neuron disease: Animal models and therapeutic potential of complement inhibitors. 4th Aegean Workshop on Complement Associated Diseases, Animal Models and Therapeutics, Porto Heli, Greece, 10-17 June 2007. New York, United States: Springer New York LLC. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-78952-1_11
2008
Conference Publication
Protective effects of C5a receptor antagonism in a mouse model of atherosclerosis
Manthey, Helga, Thomas, Anita, Taylor, Stephen, Woodruff, Trent, Moore, Tyson, Shiels, Ian and Rolfe, Barbara (2008). Protective effects of C5a receptor antagonism in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. ICW Basel, XXII International Complement Workshop, Basel, Switzerland, 28 September - 2 October 2008. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.08.167
2008
Conference Publication
Chronic complement-mediated inflammation promotes recovery after spinal cord injury
Beck, K. D., Nguyen, H. X., Woodruff, T. M. and Anderson, A. J. (2008). Chronic complement-mediated inflammation promotes recovery after spinal cord injury. American Society for Neurochemistry 39th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, United States, 1-5 March 2008. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05160.x
2007
Journal Article
The role of the N-terminal domain of the complement fragment receptor C5L2 in ligand binding
Scola, A. M., Higginbottom, A., Partridge, L, J., Reid, R. C., Woodruff, T., Taylor, S. M., Fairlie, D. P. and Monk, P. N. (2007). The role of the N-terminal domain of the complement fragment receptor C5L2 in ligand binding. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 282 (6), 3664-3671. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M609178200
2006
Journal Article
Complement mediators in ischemia-reperfusion injury
Arumugam, Thiruma V., Magnus, Tim, Woodruff, Trent M., Proctor, Lavinia M., Shiels, Ian A., Taylor, Stephen M., A. H. Wu and J. Delanghe (2006). Complement mediators in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Clinica Chimica Acta, 374 (1-2), 33-45. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2006.06.010
2006
Journal Article
Transdermal pharmacology of small molecule cyclic C5a antagonists
Proctor, Lavinia M, Woodruff, Trent M, Sharma, Prakirti, Shiels, Ian A and Taylor, Stephen M (2006). Transdermal pharmacology of small molecule cyclic C5a antagonists. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 586, 329-345.
2006
Journal Article
Complement inhibitors selectively attenuate injury following administration of cobra venom factor to rats
Proctor, Lavinia M., Strachan, Anna J., Woodruff, Trent M., Mahadevan, Indumathy B., Williams, H. Ming, Shiels, Ian A. and Taylor, Stephen M. (2006). Complement inhibitors selectively attenuate injury following administration of cobra venom factor to rats. International Immunopharmacology, 6 (8), 1224-1232. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2006.03.002
2006
Journal Article
Therapeutic activity of C5a receptor antagonists in a rat model of neurodegeneration
Woodruff, Trent M., Crane, James W., Proctor, Lavinia. M., Buller, Kathryn M., Shek, Annie B., De Vos, Kurt, Pollitt, Sandra, Williams, Hua M., Shiels, Ian A., Monk, Peter N. and Taylor, Stephen M. (2006). Therapeutic activity of C5a receptor antagonists in a rat model of neurodegeneration. FASEB Journal, 20 (9), 1407-1417. doi: 10.1096/fj.05-5814com
2006
Journal Article
Recent developments in C5/C5a inhibitors
Proctor, Lavinia M., Woodruff, Trent M. and Taylor, Stephen M. (2006). Recent developments in C5/C5a inhibitors. Expert Opinion On Therapeutic Patents, 16 (4), 445-458. doi: 10.1517/13543776.16.4.445
2006
Journal Article
Complement factor 5a as a therapeutic target
Woodruff, T.M., Proctor, L.M., Strachan, A.J. and Taylor, S.M. (2006). Complement factor 5a as a therapeutic target. Drugs of The Future, 31 (4), 325-334. doi: 10.1358/dof.2006.031.04.980656
2006
Book Chapter
Transdermal Pharmacology of Small Molecule Cyclic C5a Antagonists
Proctor, Lavinia M., Woodruff, Trent M., Sharma, Prakirti, Shiels, Ian A., Taylor, Stephen M. and Lambris, John D. (2006). Transdermal Pharmacology of Small Molecule Cyclic C5a Antagonists. Current Topics in Complement. (pp. 329-345) edited by John D. Lambris. New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/0-387-34134-X_22
2005
Journal Article
Comparative agonist/antagonist responses in mutant human C5a receptors define the ligand binding site
Higginbottom, Adrian, Cain, Stuart A., Woodruff, Trent M., Proctor, Lavinia M., Madala, Praveen K., Tyndall, Joel D. A., Taylor, Stephen M., Fairlie, David P. and Monk, Peter N. (2005). Comparative agonist/antagonist responses in mutant human C5a receptors define the ligand binding site. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280 (18), 17831-17840. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M410797200
2005
Journal Article
A potent and selective inhibitor of group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 protects rats from TNBS-induced colitis
Woodruff, Trent M., Arumugam, Thiruma V., Shiels, Ian A., Newman, Michelle L., Ross, Paul A., Reid, Robert C., Fairlie, David P. and Taylor, Stephen M. (2005). A potent and selective inhibitor of group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 protects rats from TNBS-induced colitis. International Immunopharmacology, 5 (5), 883-892. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2005.01.003
2005
Journal Article
Increased potency of a novel complement factor 5a receptor antagonist in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease
Woodruff, T. M., Pollitt, S., Proctor, L. M., Stocks, S. Z., Manthey, H. D., Williams, H. M., Mahadevan, I. B., Shiels, I. A. and Taylor, S. M. (2005). Increased potency of a novel complement factor 5a receptor antagonist in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics, 314 (2), 811-817. doi: 10.1124/jpet.105.086835
2004
Journal Article
Protective effect of a human C5a receptor antagonist against hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Arumugam, Thiruma V., Woodruff, Trent M., Stocks, Shelli Z., Proctor, Lavinia M., Pollitt, Sandra, Shiels, Ian A., Reid, Robert C., Fairlie, David P., Taylor, Stephen M. and M. Colombo (2004). Protective effect of a human C5a receptor antagonist against hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Journal of Hepatology, 40 (6), 934-941. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2004.02.017
2004
Journal Article
Protective effect of a human C5a receptor antagonist against hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Arumugam, Thiruma V., Woodruff, Trent M., Stocks, Shelli Z., Proctor, Lavinia M., Pollitt, Sandra, Shiels, Ian A., Reid, Robert C., Fairlie, David P. and Taylor, Stephen M. (2004). Protective effect of a human C5a receptor antagonist against hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Journal of Hepatology, 40 (6), 934-941. doi: 10.1016/S0168-8278(04)00066-2
2004
Journal Article
The role of the complement system in ischemia-reperfusion injury
Arumugam, Thiruma V., Shiels, Ian A., Woodruff, Trent M., Granger, D. Neil and Taylor, Stephen M. (2004). The role of the complement system in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Shock, 21 (5), 401-409. doi: 10.1097/01.shk.0000121227.73012.86
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Trent Woodruff is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Role of immune and inflammatory pathways in the progression of neurodegenerative disease
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Therapeutic blockade of neuroinflammation for the treatment of Huntington's disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Dr Eduardo Albornoz Balmaceda
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Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the Role of Neuronal C5aR1
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mark Bellingham
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Doctor Philosophy
Preclinical evaluation of complement receptor targeted drugs for neurological disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Dr John Lee, Dr Vinod Kumar
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Doctor Philosophy
Unravelling the Role of Astrocytes in Motor Neuron Disease to discover new therapeutic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
-
Doctor Philosophy
The potential role of CXCR2 activation in motor neuron disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pamela McCombe, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of terminal complement pathway in neurodevelopment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
Complement in subarachnoid haemorrhage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Dr Liam Coulthard
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Neutrophils in Motor Neuron Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pamela McCombe, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee, Dr Cedric Cui
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding pathomechanisms in Alzheimer's disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of neuronal complement activation in Motor Neuron Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of C5a and ß-1 adrenergic receptors on cardiovascular function in cats
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wally Thomas, Professor Paul Mills
-
Doctor Philosophy
The potential role of CXCR2 activation in motor neuron disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pamela McCombe, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of terminal complement pathway in neurodevelopment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
Design and development of peptide ligands targeting the complement system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark
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Doctor Philosophy
A novel treatment for chronic pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Maree Smith, Dr Andy Kuo, Dr Amanda Kijas, Dr Felicity Han
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the Role of Neuronal C5aR1
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mark Bellingham
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Complement Modulation of Peripheral Immunity in Motor Neurone Disease and Huntington's Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Professor Naomi Wray
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Preclinical development of complement C5aR1 antagonists for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Dr John Lee, Dr Vinod Kumar, Dr Felicity Han
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Immunopharmacology of the Complement C5a Receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Dr John Lee, Professor Mark Blaskovich
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The role of GPR43 in neuroinflammation and the hSOD1G93A mouse model of motor neuron disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Dr Richard Gordon
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacological targeting of the inflammasome: towards novel therapeutics for Parkinson's disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Avril Robertson, Dr Richard Gordon
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Contribution of innate immune signalling to microglial activation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes, Dr Richard Gordon
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the role of C5a-C5aR1 signalling in development through pluripotent stem cell modelling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ernst Wolvetang, Dr David Simmons
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of the C5a Receptor, C5aR2, in Neurodegenerative Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Gordon
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacokinetics of complement C5a receptor 1 antagonists in mice, and their role in protecting CNS barriers during neurodegeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
The Anaphylatoxin Receptors in Neural Progenitor Cell Physiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The role of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in mammary tumour growth: identification of new therapeutic targets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe, Dr Wenyi Gu
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of the Complement System in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Role of innate immune complement and toll-like receptor signalling in neurodegeneration.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The role of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury: Pathophysiology and mechanism of action
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The generation and role of complement factor C5a during cerebral brain ischemia/reperfusion.
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Novel disease-modifying therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation and progressive neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Gordon
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Design and Development of Peptides Targeting the C5a-C5aR Interaction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Johan Rosengren, Associate Professor Richard Clark
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating innate immune responses through the putative anti-inflammatory target FFA2
Associate Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Deciphering the role of innate and adaptive immunity following traumatic spinal cord injury: a route to improved outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Marc Ruitenberg
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Contribution of complement anaphylatoxin receptors to melanoma growth: potential therapeutic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe, Dr Wenyi Gu
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Complement Anaphylatoxin Receptors in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Marc Ruitenberg
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
The role of complement in epilepsy: A specific focus on C5ar1 and its role in seizure initiation and disease development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karin Borges
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Role of complement in ALS: regulating peripheral immune cells in skeletal muscle of hSOD1G93A mouse model of ALS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Noakes
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Cellular and molecular insights into multiple sclerosis-induced neuropathic pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Maree Smith
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Novel receptor-mediated mechanisms and treatment strategies in ischemic stroke therapy
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of C5a in Pregnancy and Fetal Development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leonie Callaway
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Trent Woodruff directly for media enquiries about:
- Drug Development
- Huntington's disease
- motor neuron disese
- Neurodegenerative disease
- Parkinson's disease
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