Epilepsy: Molecular basis and mechanisms in the era of functional genomics [ 2006 - 2010 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Samuel Berkovic (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Anthony Waites ,  Dr John Mulley ,  Prof Alan Connelly ,  Prof David Reutens
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Brief description The team comprises of neurologists with a special interest in epilepsy (both adult and child) molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists. The team leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy and epilepsy associated with intellectual disability. The team will continue to identify the genes underlying epilepsy, and study how genetic variations result in the development of seizures and will continue to develop advanced imaging techniques for these studies. This will include extensive laboratory studies, including the development of mice with the exact mutations that we find in the human condition. Stateof-the-art imaging techniques with magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography are used in human subjects to further understand the effects of the mutations on the structure and function of the brain. This will allow deep understanding of how seizures develop and may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments. The laboratory and clinical aspects of the research are tightly integrated in this internationally leading collaborative program.

Funding Amount $AUD 12,062,532.59

Funding Scheme Programs

Notes Program Grant