Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology
The Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology (HCN), formerly the Lysosomal Diseases Research Unit, is a world-class, highly successful research unit investigating the role and function of lysosomes in health and disease.
For more than 30 years we have been leaders in the biochemistry, cell biology and genetics of the lysosomes, delivered state-of-the-art diagnostics, and commercialised the first ever treatments for two lysosomal storage disorders.
We are taking advantage of our core strengths in lysosomal research to investigate the contribution of the endolysosomal network to various diseases, including certain inherited childhood disorders and, in particular, late-onset neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Centre’s multidisciplinary and interactive research specialises in neurobiology, preclinical models of neurological diseases, organelle biology, central nervous system therapeutics, mass spectrometry, and confocal microscopy, as well as genome editing and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies.
-
Lead researcher
Professor Christopher Proud
Professor Christopher Proud was appointed Director of the Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology at SAHMRI in 2016, following a distinguished scientific career in Europe and Canada. Professor Proud studies the molecular mechanisms by which nutrients and hormones regulate mammalian cell function, especially protein metabolism, and their roles in health and disease.
-
Research team
Research team Role Professor Christopher Proud Lead researcher Associate Professor Pirjo Apaja Researcher Dr Kim Hemsley Researcher Dr Tim Sargeant Researcher Dr Marten Snel Researcher -
Partnerships
Partner Institution/Organisation Professor Bob Casson Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Adelaide Dr Glyn Chidlow Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Adelaide Professor Rob Richards Department of Genetics and Evolution Biology, University of Adelaide Dr Louise O’Keefe Department of Genetics and Evolution Biology, University of Adelaide Professor Lisa Butler South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Associate Professor Cedric Bardy South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Associate Professor Leonie Heilbronn South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Ville-Petteri Mäkinen South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Jim Manavis University of Adelaide Dr Rohan Teasdale University of Queensland Professor Sharad Kumar University of South Australia Dr Alessandro Fraldi TIGEM, Naples, Italy Professor G Lukacs McGill University, Montréal, Canada -
Related areas of research
Interested in a postgraduate research degree?
We offer exciting opportunities for researchers at the honours, masters and PhD levels. Our research degrees are open to students from a broad range of backgrounds, and range from basic sciences to clinical research. If you are interested in human health, consider furthering your research career with us.
