Clare L Parish
BBiomedSci (Hons), PhD (Monash)
NHMRC CDA Fellow
Brain Injury and Repair
Neurodegeneration Laboratory
Contact Details
Email: | |
Phone: | +61 (0)3 8344 9697 |
Fax: | +61 (0)3 9347 0446 |
Research Interests
Wnts in axon guidance
A key focus within the group is to understand the role of Wnt proteins in regulating the intricate wiring of the developing and adult brain. In particular we are focusing on the dopamine pathways. Wnts have been shown to be important in axon morphogenesis elsewhere in the central nervous system and furthermore, Wnts have previously been shown to play key roles in the differentiation of dopamine neurons. Whilst our research is of obvious importance for understanding how those pathways responsible for regulating movement and reward are wired during development, we may also gain insights into a number of dopamine related diseases including Parkinson’s disease and addiction.
Cell therapies for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease results from the progressive degeneration of dopamine neurons. Whilst there is currently no cure, clinical trials have shown the long term benefits of cell transplantation. Unfortunately the outcome of these transplants is highly variable and tissue availability is limited. We are currently looking at improving cell transplantation in animal models of PD using fetally derived tissue as well as mouse and human embryonic stem cells. We are striving to improve graft survival, the appropriate integration of grafted cells into the host circuitry (incorporating axon guidance molecules) and to enhance the functional recovery in PD rodents. This will rely on our understanding of midbrain dopamine development and axon guidance to generate the ideal transplantable cell.
Laboratory Techniques
- Stereotaxic surgery including neural transplantation
- Cell culture (Primary cultures, embryonic stem cells, cell lines)
- Immunohistochemistry
- In situ hybridization
- High performance liquid chromatography
- Behavioural studies
- Microscopy
- Engineered biomaterials for in vitro and in vivo applications
Research Grants
National Health & Medical Research Council, Australia project grant (2010-2012)
Restoring the nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson’s Disease
Victoria–California Stem Cell Alliance Grant Program, Early Translational Research Grant
Developmental Candidates for Cell-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease (2010-2013)
National Health & Medical Research Council, Australia project grant (2009-2011)
Wnt signalling in dopaminergic axon guidance
Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) Bioplatforms Australia access voucher (2010)
Identifying guidance molecules in the remodelling adult brain
Medical Research and Technology in Victoria, ANZ Trustees grant (2009)
Improving cell replacement therapies for Parkinson’s disease
Bethlehem Griffith Research Foundation, Victoria, Australia project grant (2008)
Repairing the injured brain: Wnt signaling in dopaminergic axonal remodelling
Publications and Articles
PubMed link for C.L. Parish.
1. M.K. Horne, D.R. Nisbet, J.S. Forsythe, C.L. Parish. Three dimensional nanofibrous scaffolds incorporating immobilized BDNF promote proliferation and differentiation of cortical neural stem cells. Stem Cells & Development (In Press)
2. C.L. Parish, G. Castelo-Branco, N. Rawal, J. Tonnesen, A. Toft Sorensen, C. Salto, M. Kokaia, O. Lindvall and E. Arenas. Wnt5a-treated midbrain neural stem cells improved dopamine cell replacement therapy in Parkinsonian mice. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 118, 149 (2008).
3. C.L. Parish, A. Beljajeva, E. Arenas, A. Simon. Neurogenesis and functional recovery in a novel model of Parkinson’s disease. Development, 34(15):2881-7 (2007).
4. Parish C.L, Arenas E. Stem-cell-based strategies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Review article. Neurodegenerative Diseases 4(4):339-47, (2007).
5. C.L. Parish, S. Parisi, M.G. Persico, E. Arenas and G. Minchiotti. Cripto as a target for improving embryonic stem cell-based therapy in Parkinson’s disease. Stem Cells. 23(4): 471-476 (2005).
6. C.L. Parish, J. Nunan, D.I. Finkelstein, F. McNamara, J. Wong, J, Waddington,M.K. Horne, and J. Drago. Mice lacking the alpha4 nicotinic receptor subunit fail to modulate dopaminergic neuronal arbors and possess impaired dopamine transporter function. Molecular Pharmacology. 68(5):1376-86 (2005).
7. C.L. Parish, J. Drago, D. Stanic, E. Borrelli, D.I. Finkelstein and M.K. Horne. Haloperidol treatment reverses the anatomical and behavioural changes in cocaine dependent mice. Neurobiology of disease, 19: 301-311 (2005).
8. C.L. Parish, D.I. Finkelstein, W. Tripanichkul, J. Drago and M.K. Horne. The role of cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and glia in regulating terminal arbour size in mice. The Journal of Neuroscience,22 (18), p 8034-8041. (2002).
9. C.L. Parish, D.I. Finkelstein, J. Drago, E. Borrelli and M.K. Horne. The role of dopamine receptors in regulating the size of axonal arbors. The Journal of Neuroscience, 21(14), p5147-5157, (2001).
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