
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
2018
Journal Article
Complement C3a receptor modulates embryonic neural progenitor cell proliferation and cognitive performance
Coulthard, Liam G., Hawksworth, Owen A., Conroy, Jacinta, Lee, John D. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). Complement C3a receptor modulates embryonic neural progenitor cell proliferation and cognitive performance. Molecular Immunology, 101, 176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.271
2018
Journal Article
New tricks for an ancient system: physiological and pathological roles of complement in the CNS
Tenner, Andrea J., Stevens, Beth and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). New tricks for an ancient system: physiological and pathological roles of complement in the CNS. Molecular Immunology, 102, 3-13. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.264
2018
Journal Article
Complement components are upregulated and correlate with disease progression in the TDP-43 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Lee, John D., Levin, Samantha C., Willis, Emily F., Li, Rui, Woodruff, Trent M. and Noakes, Peter G. (2018). Complement components are upregulated and correlate with disease progression in the TDP-43 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 15 (1) 171, 171. doi: 10.1186/s12974-018-1217-2
2018
Journal Article
Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS assay for pharmacokinetic studies of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice
Kumar, Vinod, Lee, John D., Clark, Richard J. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS assay for pharmacokinetic studies of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 8101, 8101. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26387-4
2018
Journal Article
Systemic inhibition of the membrane attack complex impedes neuroinflammation in chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Michailidou, Iliana, Jongejan, Aldo, Vreijling, Jeroen P., Georgakopoulou, Theodosia, de Wissel, Marit B., Wolterman, Ruud A., Ruizendaal, Patrick, Klar-Mohamad, Ngaisah, Grootemaat, Anita E., Picavet, Daisy I., Kumar, Vinod, van Kooten, Cees, Woodruff, Trent M., Morgan, B. Paul, van der Wel, Nicole N., Ramaglia, Valeria, Fluiter, Kees and Baas, Frank (2018). Systemic inhibition of the membrane attack complex impedes neuroinflammation in chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 6 (1) 36, 36. doi: 10.1186/s40478-018-0536-y
2018
Journal Article
T cell expression of C5a receptor 2 augments murine regulatory T cell (T) generation and T-dependent cardiac allograft survival
A. Verghese, Divya, Demir, Markus, Chun, Nicholas, Fribourg, Miguel, Cravedi, Paolo, Llaudo, Ines, Woodruff, Trent M., Yadav, Pragya, Lira, Sergio A., Medof, M. Edward and Heeger, Peter S. (2018). T cell expression of C5a receptor 2 augments murine regulatory T cell (T) generation and T-dependent cardiac allograft survival. Journal of Immunology, 200 (6), 2186-2198. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701638
2018
Journal Article
Complement in stem cells and development
Hawksworth, Owen A., Coulthard, Liam G., Mantovani, Susanna and Woodruff, Trent M (2018). Complement in stem cells and development. Seminars in Immunology, 37 (C), 74-84. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2018.02.009
2018
Journal Article
Chronic helminth infection perturbs the gut-brain axis, promotes neuropathology and alters behaviour
Giacomin, Paul R., Kraeuter, Ann Katrin, Albornoz, Eduardo A., Jin, Shuting, Bengtsson, Mia, Gordon, Richard, Woodruff, Trent M., Urich, Tim, Sarnyai, Zoltán and Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. (2018). Chronic helminth infection perturbs the gut-brain axis, promotes neuropathology and alters behaviour. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 218 (9), 1511-1516. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy092
2018
Journal Article
Staphylococcus aureus-induced complement activation promotes tissue factor-mediated coagulation
Skjeflo, E. W., Christiansen, D., Fure, H., Ludviksen, J. K., Woodruff, T. M., Espevik, Terje, Nielsen, E. W., Brekke, O. L. and Mollnes, T. E. (2018). Staphylococcus aureus-induced complement activation promotes tissue factor-mediated coagulation. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 16 (5), 905-918. doi: 10.1111/jth.13979
2018
Journal Article
Role of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in a mouse model of acute burn-induced pain
Morgan, Michael, Deuis, Jennifer R., Woodruff, Trent M., Lewis, Richard J. and Vetter, Irina (2018). Role of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in a mouse model of acute burn-induced pain. Molecular Immunology, 94, 68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.12.016
2018
Journal Article
Complement C5a Receptor 1 Exacerbates the Pathophysiology of N. meningitidis Sepsis and Is a Potential Target for Disease Treatment
Herrmann, Johannes B., Muenstermann, Marcel, Strobel, Lea, Schubert-Unkmeir, Alexandra, Woodruff, Trent M., Gray-Owen, Scott D., Klos, Andreas and Johswich, Kay O. (2018). Complement C5a Receptor 1 Exacerbates the Pathophysiology of N. meningitidis Sepsis and Is a Potential Target for Disease Treatment. mBio, 9 (1) e01755-17, 1-17. doi: 10.1128/mBio.01755-17
2018
Conference Publication
C5aR1 is required for a-synuclein mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Gordon, Richard, Albornoz, Eduardo, Kanthasamy, Anumantha and Woodruff, Trent (2018). C5aR1 is required for a-synuclein mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. 27th International Complement Workshop (ICW), Santa Fe, NM, United States, Sep 16-20, 2018. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.247
2018
Book Chapter
Inflammasomes in CNS diseases
Albornoz, Eduardo A., Woodruff, Trent M. and Gordon, Richard (2018). Inflammasomes in CNS diseases. Inflammasomes: clinical and therapeutic implications. (pp. 41-60) edited by Mario D. Cordero and Elisabet Alcocer-Gómez. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-89390-7_3
2018
Conference Publication
Auto-regulation of Th1 responses requires intracellular carboxypeptidase M-mediated complement regulation
West, Erin E., Freeley, Simon, Kolev, Martin, Niyonzima, Nathalie, Espevik, Terje, Mollnes, Tom Eirik, Lappegard, Knut, Woodruff, Trent M., Monk, Peter N. and Kemper, Claudia (2018). Auto-regulation of Th1 responses requires intracellular carboxypeptidase M-mediated complement regulation. 27th International Complement Workshop (ICW), Santa Fe, NM, United States, 16-20 September 2018. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.246
2018
Book Chapter
C5aR1
Coulthard, Liam G., Hawksworth, Owen A. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). C5aR1. The Complement FactsBook. (pp. 397-405) edited by Scott Barnum and Theresa Schein. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-810420-0.00037-7
2018
Book Chapter
C3aR1
Coulthard, Liam G., Hawksworth, Owen A. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). C3aR1. The complement FactsBook. (pp. 385-396) edited by Scott Barnum and Theresa Schein. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-810420-0.00036-5
2018
Book Chapter
C5aR2
Coulthard, Liam G., Hawksworth, Owen A. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). C5aR2. The complement FactsBook. (pp. 407-414) edited by Scott Barnum and Theresa Schein. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-810420-0.00038-9
2017
Journal Article
C5a receptor 1 promotes autoimmunity, neutrophil dysfunction and injury in experimental anti-myeloperoxidase glomerulonephritis
Dick, Jonathan, Gan, Poh-Yi, Ford, Sharon L., Odobasic, Dragana, Alikhan, Maliha A., Loosen, Sven H., Hall, Pam, Westhorpe, Clare L., Li, Anqi, Ooi, Joshua D., Woodruff, Trent M., Mackay, Charles R., Kitching, A Richard, Hickey, Michael J. and Holdsworth, Stephen R. (2017). C5a receptor 1 promotes autoimmunity, neutrophil dysfunction and injury in experimental anti-myeloperoxidase glomerulonephritis. Kidney International, 93 (3), 615-625. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.09.018
2017
Journal Article
The concise guide to pharmacology 2017/18: Overview
Alexander, Stephen P. H., Kelly, Eamonn, Marrion, Neil V., Peters, John A., Faccenda, Elena, Harding, Simon D., Pawson, Adam J., Sharman, Joanna L., Southan, Christopher, Buneman, O. Peter, Cidlowski, John A., Christopoulos, Arthur, Davenport, Anthony P., Fabbro, Doriano, Spedding, Michael, Striessnig, Jorg, Davies, Jamie A., Abbracchio, M. P., Aldrich, R., Al-Hosaini, K., Arumugam, T., V, Attali, B., Back, M., Barnes, N. M., Bathgate, R., Beart, P. M., Becirovic, E., Bettler, B., Biel, M. ... Woodruff, Trent (2017). The concise guide to pharmacology 2017/18: Overview. British Journal of Pharmacology, 174, S1-S16. doi: 10.1111/bph.13882/full
2017
Journal Article
Monitoring C5AR2 expression using a floxed tdtomato-C5AR2 knock-in mouse
Karsten, Christian M., Wiese, Anna V., Mey, Fabian, Figge, Julia, Woodruff, Trent M., Reuter, Tom, Scurtu, Olga, Kordowski, Anna, Almeida, Larissa N., Briukhovetska, Daria, Quell, Katharina M., Sun, Jing, Ender, Fanny, Schmudde, Inken, Vollbrandt, Tillman, Laumonnier, Yves and Köhl, Jörg (2017). Monitoring C5AR2 expression using a floxed tdtomato-C5AR2 knock-in mouse. Journal of Immunology, 199 (9), 3234-3248. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700710
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
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
-
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
The role of terminal complement pathway in neurodevelopment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
-
Doctor Philosophy
Design and development of peptide ligands targeting the complement system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark
-
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
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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
-
Doctor Philosophy
The role of terminal complement pathway in neurodevelopment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Dr Jenny Fung
-
Doctor Philosophy
Complement in subarachnoid haemorrhage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Dr Liam Coulthard
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding pathomechanisms in Alzheimer's disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan
-
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
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
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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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
-
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
-
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 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
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
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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