Queensland Brain Institute (QBI)
The University of Queensland
The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) is a world-leading neuroscience institute at The University of Queensland. QBI's research spans from discovery to translation, from molecules and synapses to circuits, cognition, behaviour, brain injuries and disorders.
QBI has a strong focus on discovery science that underpins future medical breakthroughs. Pivotal QBI discoveries about the brain are now being translated into the clinic, including potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease and motor neurone disease.
Established in 2003, QBI nurtures a diverse and innovative scientific community with unique and multidisciplinary expertise and outstanding scientific leadership. QBI's collaborative culture brings together biology, genetics, psychology, mathematics, engineering, and clinical disciplines.
QBI researchers pursue a deeper understanding of the brain in health and disease to improve lives.
- Website
- http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au
- Organisation type
-
- University Research Institute
- Number of research staff
- 300-500 research staff
- Address
- Building 79, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072
Strengths and capabilities
- Brain development
- Neural plasticity
- Cognition
- Behavioural neuroscience
- Learning and memory
- Ageing and dementia
- Mental health
- Neurodegenerative disease
- Brain injury and recovery
- Cellular and molecular neuroscience
- Neural circuits and systems neuroscience
- Genetics
- Neuroimaging
- Neurotechnology and therapeutics
- Translational neuroscience
Facilities and major equipment
- Physical Containment Class 2 (PC2) laboratories
- Histology facilities
- Tissue culture facilities
- Advanced microscopy
- Genome sequencing
- Flow cytometry facility
- Magnetic resonance imaging scanners
- Vivarium and animal behaviour facility
Lead researchers
- Associate Professor Susannah Tye—revealing the biological mechanisms underpinning mental health conditions to support the development of personalised therapies and next-generation neuromodulation approaches.
- Professor Massimo Hilliard—investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal development, maintenance and repair to inform future strategies to enhance nerve repair.
- Professor Jürgen Götz—Discovered that non-invasive ultrasound therapy can restore memory in Alzheimer's disease mouse model, now in early-stage human trials.
- Dr Matilde Balbi—exploring brain stimulation to stabilise neural networks and support recovery following stroke.
- Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett—Identified EphA4 as a critical target in motor neurone disease and developed a new drug, now in clinical trials.
Achievements of the centre
- Discovered EphA4 as a critical target in motor neurone disease and developed a promising new drug, NUN-004, now in clinical trials.
- Human trials are underway for the use of non-invasive ultrasound therapy for Alzheimer's, with the technology now licensed to Ceretas.
- Demonstrated that high-intensity interval exercise improves brain function in older adults for up to five years.
- Developed a new delivery mode for clozapine, the most effective antipsychotic, that may revolutionise schizophrenia treatment.
- Proved a mushroom compound can boost nerve growth, advancing understanding of ways to stimulate the brain's own repair mechanisms.
Key science sectors
More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:
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