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Latest research grant round THE TOTAL AWARDED IN THE 2019B PROJECTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ROUND IS $2,395,505 $ 2.3m Project grants Understanding Fragile X syndrome through direct cell reprogramming Professor Bronwen Connor, University of Auckland $287,036 Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common known genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Inaccessibility to developing human brain cells is a major barrier to studying FXS. To overcome this, Professor Bronwen Connor’s teamwill use cell reprogramming technology to turn skin cells from FXS patients into brain cells. They will study the development of FXS brain cells and investigate whether they exhibit differences in the expression of genes and proteins associated with development, and impaired function compared to normal brain cells. This project will establish a human model of FXS and enhance our understanding of FXS pathogenesis. Role of Insulin-like growth factor 2 in post-partum mood resilience Professor David Grattan, University of Otago $248,808 During the post-partum period, newmothers are vulnerable to mood disorders. Generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), affects neurogenesis and anxiety levels, and Professor David Grattan’s team has found that levels of IGF2 are increased during pregnancy in areas of the brain where this neurogenesis occurs. Using innovative neuroscience methods, they will test the hypothesis that hormone-induced IGF2 is required for increased neurogenesis in pregnancy, thereby acting to alleviate maternal anxiety postpartum. These studies will assist in development of treatments for patients with post-partummood disorders. Treating spinal cord injury using a novel bioelectronic implant Dr Bruce C. Harland, University of Auckland $176,975 Impacts from falls or car crashes can damage the spinal cord, interrupting nerve pathways and resulting in paralysis and loss of sensation. Dr Bruce Harland’s team has developed a thin flexible implant for placement over spinal cord injury sites, capable of detecting abnormal nerve cell activity and guiding nerves to reconnect with each other. They will use this implant to detect changes in nerve signalling due to injury, guiding delivery of electrical impulses to promote regrowth and reconnection of nerve cells. This has real potential to promote nerve cell recovery after injury, and have a huge impact on people with spinal cord injuries. Mechanisms of Tau protein-induced synapse weakening Dr Owen Jones, University of Otago $215,170 When networks of brain cells are chronically active, they will weaken their connections with one another to bring activity back to a preferred level. This “homeostatic” process is critical for regulating brain activity, but may unfortunately contribute to disease. For example, Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by heightened brain activity and with the production of proteins that weaken synapses (the connections between brain cells). Dr Owen Jones’ teamwill investigate the importance of one such protein, tau, in homeostatic synapse weakening. Tau production and synapse weakening are a hallmark of several disease states, suggesting this process may contribute to multiple pathologies. -2019B Headlines 15