Hosts – Protein Structure and Folding

Researcher Name: Cox, Dezerae (She / Her)

Research Area(s): Cell Biology, Genomics and Proteomics, Molecular Bases of Disease, Molecular Biophysics, Protein Structure and Folding

Affiliation: Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong

Country: Australia

Website 

Scientific Interests:

Emerging evidence suggests ancient viral sequences which make up almost 10% of our genome, known as endogenous retroviruses, contribute to the appearance and propagation of protein clumps throughout the brain. This ‘clumping’, or aggregation, is a central molecular signature of many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Motor Neuron (MND) diseases. Our mission is to understand the Neurobiology of Endogenous RetroViruses in both health and disease: we are the NERVLAB! Our team is developing a unique molecular toolbox spanning orders of magnitude, from single molecules to whole proteomes, which allows us to quantify and characterise ERVs in complex biological samples in unprecedented detail.

We are using this cutting-edge toolbox combining super-resolution microscopy and proteomic techniques to identify specific HERV signatures from patient-derived biofluids, benchmark experimental models, and explore the interplay between genetic diversity, protein aggregation and HERV expression in the context of neurodegeneration. Our ultimate goal is to translate these fundamental insights into novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies with the potential to have tangible impact on the lives of those living with MND worldwide.

This offer applies to trainees/researchers eligible for the following fellowships

All fellowships (not restricted to fellowship holders)

Contact:

dezerae@uow.edu.au