Advancing Diagnosis and New Therapies for Rare Brain Diseases – Florey Talks

Thank you to everyone who joined us to hear Florey researchers discuss rare neurological diseases and how they are opening new pathways towards treatments that have the potential to transform lives.

We were privileged to hear from Mel Anderson (PURA Foundation), Deanna Carpino (Australian NPC Disease Foundation) and Tania West, who shared their families’ lived experience with rare brain disease, and are helping to drive progress in this vital area of research.

The lecture recording is available below and on our YouTube channel.

The Florey, with clinical and industry partners, is committed to making a difference. You can support our vital research by giving today.

Meet our speakers:

• Dr Sarah Gordon – Dr Gordon is the Head of The Florey’s Presynaptic Physiology Group. Her work focuses on determining how dysfunction in presynaptic proteins – which play a key role in transmitting chemical messages in the brain – contributes to the development of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Dr Carolina Gubert – Dr Gubert is a Research Fellow who leads the microbiota-gut-brain axis team in The Florey’s Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Group. Dr Gubert’s research focuses on gene-environment interactions and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in brain disorders, including Huntington’s disease and schizophrenia.
• Dr Sonali Reisinger – Dr Reisinger is an early career researcher in the Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Group at The Florey. Her current work focuses on advancing our understanding of the transgenerational effects of viral infections on brain and behaviour.
• Professor Christopher Reid – Professor Reid is Lead of the Epilepsy and Neurodevelopment Research Priority at The Florey. He is a translational neuroscientist and leads a multidisciplinary team that investigates the molecular and cellular causes of epilepsy.
• Professor Anthony Hannan (host) – Professor Hannan is Head of The Florey’s Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Group. His research team explores how genetic and environmental factors combine to influence predisposition to specific brain disorders.