Bredy

An international collaborative research team, including scientists from the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) has discovered that G-quadraplex DNA (G4-DNA) accumulates in neurons and dynamically controls the activation and repression of genes underlying long-term memory formation. 

A piece of “junk DNA” could be the key to extinguishing fear-related memories.

New research shows that the ability to extinguish fearful memories relies on the flexibility of your DNA.

A PhD student pushing the boundaries of technology to understand our brain’s response to fear has won a Westpac Future Leader Scholarship.

QBI researchers have discovered a DNA modification that enhances our ability to extinguish fear, a discovery that could help guide the development of new treatments for fear-related anxiety disorders.

QBI neuroscientists have found that the brain's process for repairing DNA is also important for consolidating memories and allowing rapid brain adaptation, a discovery that challenges current thinking on the significance of DNA repair to the brain's ability to adapt to changes.

Queensland Brain Institute student Esmi Zajaczkowski has won a 2018 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship.

QBI’s Associate Professor Timothy Bredy has received two highly competitive grants for his research into understanding the epigenetics of fear-related learning and memory, particularly in anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD).