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14 | NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION I also collaborated with Distinguished Professor Richard Faull, Professor Mike Dragunow and Professor Maurice Curtis (then a doctoral student) on the unique discovery that the Huntington’s disease human brain could generate new replacement brain cells in response to cell loss, a process known as compensatory neurogenesis. This work was funded by the Neurological Foundation. I extended this work into a rodent model of Huntington’s disease to identify specific cues and signals expressed by the damaged brain which promote compensatory neurogenesis. Identification of these factors could lead to the development of drugs to enhance the brain’s self- repair process. We demonstrated that factors known as chemokines, which are expressed in the initial stages of inflammation, are vital in directing the migration of resident adult brain stem cells to areas of damage. However, while we identified targets to promote the recruitment and maturation of resident adult brain cells in areas of damage, we have been unable to successfully suppress the prolonged inflammatory response that occurs and eventually destroys the newly formed brain cells. In 2007, the field of biomedical science was turned upon its head with the unique discovery of cell reprogramming lead by Professor Yamanaka of Kyoto University. By over-expressing key developmental genes, he showed that human skin cells could be turned into embryonic stem cells. Pure magic! These cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and can generate all cell and tissue types in the body. Using this technology, we can generate human brain stem cells that can be used either to model neurodevelopmental or neurological diseases, or to provide a source of ethically viable cells for cell replacement therapy. In 2010, with support of the Neurological Foundation, I refocused my research to develop our own novel strategy to reprogram adult human skin cells directly to brain stem cells, without needing to first create embryonic stem cells. Our technology is faster, safer and more efficient than the iPSC technology. The beauty of this technology is we can generate live human brain cells to study specific neurodevelopmental or neurological disorders where previously we were restricted to the use of either animal models or post-mortem human tissue. This allows us to investigate disease progression as the stem cells develop to mature neurons, providing a unique opportunity to identify novel therapeutic targets for drug development. We are currently undertaking projects using our direct cell reprogramming technology to investigate the disease process of the neurodevelopmental disorder Fragile X Syndrome; and have completed a project that identified potential drug targets for the treatment of Huntington’s disease. Over the last 20 years I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people, the staff, post- doctoral fellows and graduate students that have made up my research group. I have supervised 13 doctoral students, with 8 of these being awarded a Neurological Foundation postgraduate scholarship to support their PhD, 9 Masters students and 18 BSc Honours students. Throughout my career, my greatest accomplishment and joy has been my graduate students. I watch them discover the magic and excitement of neuroscience and grow as scientists and individuals during the progress of their research to emerge as independent and accomplished researchers. Their energy, passion and enthusiasm never cease to amaze me and pushes me to be the best that I can be. This is the true gift of my job. I have been awarded a total of 18 small and full project grants from the Neurological Foundation. Thank you, to all the supporters throughout my career that have made my research possible. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that the supporters of the Foundation have provided me.