The Lee Group
Our research group is at the forefront of investigating the intricate roles played by innate immune cells - including neutrophils, macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes - in these neurological conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of immune responses within the central nervous system contributes significantly to disease progression and pathology.
Dr John Lee
Group leader
Ross Maclean Senior Research Fellow
Affiliate of the Motor Neurone Disease Research
Our research
The Lee lab at the Queensland Brain Institute investigates key immune mechanisms underlying neurodegneration. As the Ross Maclean Senior Research Fellow, Dr Lee drives research aimed at translating motor neurone disease discoveries into effective treatments.
The group specialises in neuroinflammation and neuroimmunology, investigating how the brain’s immune system contributes to the progressive loss of motor neurons. Their research examines key immune mechanisms, including the complement system, inflammasomes, and immune cell metabolism, to understand how dysregulated immune responses drive disease progression in MND.
A major focus of the Lee group is translational neuroscience and drug discovery. The team is developing and testing anti‑inflammatory therapies designed to protect neurons and slow disease progression, with promising candidates already advancing through early-stage clinical trials.
Working closely with clinicians and patients, the lab integrates laboratory research with real-world data and patient samples to accelerate the path from discovery to treatment.
Ultimately, Dr Lee and his team aim to develop effective therapies that slow or halt MND progression and improve quality of life for people living with this devastating disease.
