Our research integrates experimental, advanced imaging and mathematical modelling approaches to uncover the molecular and systems-level mechanisms driving infectious and neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to engineer new treatment strategies.

Our research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, as well as infectious diseases caused by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and Zika. Using advanced imaging techniques, such as super-resolution microscopy, alongside biochemical techniques, we investigate the underlying pathomechanisms. We also develop multiscale mathematical models integrating phenomena from molecular to human population levels to understand treatment failures and predict strategies for improving outcomes. The ongoing projects address the following questions:

  • What molecular mechanisms underlie synapse loss in neurodegenerative diseases?
  • Why are only a subset of neurons impacted by pathology, known as selective neuronal vulnerability, in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases?
  • What role does innate immunity, including interferon and complement signalling, play in the initiation and progression of Alzheimer’s disease?
  • Is there a mechanistic link between vaccination, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases?

NOTE: Students interested in Honours or PhD programs are encouraged to contact Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan. We welcome students with experimental or computational backgrounds.

Research areas

  • Alzheimer’s disease and tauopathies
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Neuroimmunology
  • SARS-CoV2, Zika and other related viral infections
  • Advanced microscopy
  • Multiscale mathematical modelling
  • Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

Research impact

Group Leader

Students

Alumni (since 2020)

  • Dr Adam Briner (PhD student, 2023)
    Next position: Azrieli Postdoctoral Fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science
  • Ms Lucinda Walker (Honours student, 2021)
    Next position: Research Assistant at Mater Research Institute, UQ
  • Mr Jonathon Bolton (Honours student, 2020)
    Next position: MD student, UQ
1. NHMRC Investigator Grant (2024 - 2029) values at ~A$ 1.64 million
Understanding the pathomechanisms in Alzheimer's disease at the molecular, cellular, and neural network levels

2. ARC Discover Project Grant (2024 - 2027) valued at A$ 657,750
Fyn-STEP-Tau axis: the nanoscale mechanisms of synaptic plasticity

3. UQ Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015 - 2017) valued at ~ A$ 320,000
Mathematical modelling of neural wiring development

View full list of publications on eSpace

Selected publications

Götz, J., Padmanabhan, P. Ultrasound and antibodies — a potentially powerful combination for Alzheimer disease therapy. Nat Rev Neurol 20, 257–258 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-024-00943-1

Padmanabhan, P., Götz, J. Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research. Nat Aging 3, 481–493 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-023-00402-4

  • Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies

    Gormal, Rachel S., Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Kasula, Ravikiran, Bademosi, Adekunle T., Coakley, Sean, Giacomotto, Jean, Blum, Ailisa, Joensuu, Merja, Wallis, Tristan P., Lo, Harriet P., Budnar, Srikanth, Rae, James, Ferguson, Charles, Bastiani, Michele, Thomas, Walter G., Pardon, Els, Steyaert, Jan, Yap, Alpha S., Goodhill, Geoffrey J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Parton, Robert G. and Meunier, Frédéric A. (2020). Modular transient nanoclustering of activated β2-adrenergic receptors revealed by single-molecule tracking of conformation-specific nanobodies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117 (48), 30476-30487. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2007443117

Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Kneynsberg, Andrew, Cruz, Esteban, Amor, Rumelo, Sibarita, Jean‐Baptiste and Götz, Jürgen (2022). Single‐molecule imaging reveals Tau trapping at nanometer‐sized dynamic hot spots near the plasma membrane that persists after microtubule perturbation and cholesterol depletion. The EMBO Journal, 41 (19) e111265, 1-16. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022111265

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Sir William Macgregor Building (64), Level 5, Room 511

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