STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE OF MND RESEARCH: UQ CENTRE FOR MND RESEARCH OPEN DAY

On Friday 4 July, a team from MND Queensland had the privilege of attending the University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for MND Research Open Day - a compelling and inspiring showcase of the cutting-edge work being done to better understand, treat, and hopefully cure motor neurone disease.

The Centre represents a powerful collaboration between researchers across multiple disciplines and UQ-affiliated institutions. These include the School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Advanced Imaging, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, and the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, among others. Together, they form a research network working across the full translational pipeline — from lab-based studies through to clinical trials — with the shared mission of improving outcomes for people living with MND.

Among the day’s highlights was a presentation by Professor Pamela McCombe, who, along with Dr Rob Henderson, leads both clinical and research work at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and UQ. Professor McCombe provided valuable insights into the complexities of clinical trials, particularly the high cost and stringent documentation requirements needed to meet regulatory standards set by agencies like the FDA and TGA.

Importantly, she emphasised that even trials which don’t deliver a successful result can still move the field forward. Well-designed studies, whether they prove or disprove a hypothesis, contribute vital knowledge that sharpens future research and avoids repeating past dead ends.

After the morning’s presentations, we toured several state-of-the-art laboratories where researchers generously shared the innovative projects they’re working on.

One of the most fascinating areas involved turning donated tissue samples — such as skin and muscle cells from people living with MND — into stem cells. These stem cells are then transformed into muscle fibres, and organoids that resemble tiny brains or spinal cords.

These lab-grown models allow scientists to observe how MND-related changes unfold in a human context, providing insights that aren’t always possible with animal models. While traditional research often relies on genetically modified mice that are made to exhibit MNDlike symptoms, these human-derived systems can reflect real disease features through the genetic profile of the donor or by introducing specific disease triggers. This offers a more accurate and ethically sound platform for testing potential therapies.

The day also highlighted some of the practical innovations being explored to improve quality of life for people living with MND. One particularly exciting project involved wearable exoskeletons designed to support mobility. These robotic-assisted devices aim to help people walk more safely and for longer, giving them greater independence and delaying the need for more intensive care supports.

The open day was an incredible opportunity to witness, up close, the extraordinary science happening in our own backyard. We left not only inspired, but more deeply informed about the many avenues being explored.

You can find out more, including how to get involved in MND research projects by visiting https://biomedical-sciences.uq.edu.au/uqcentre-for-mnd-research