[S-28] New concepts of glia and brain homeostasis: key missing pieces in the puzzle of neurological disorders

[S-28-2] Regulatory T cell modulation of neuroinflammation and progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Bradley Turner¹, Rebecca Sheean¹, Fiona Mckay², Erika Cretney³, Christopher Bye¹, Nirma Perera¹, Doris Tomas¹, Stephen Nutt³, Matthew Kiernan⁴, Steve Vucic² (1.Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Australia, 2.Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia, 3.Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Australia, 4.Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia)

During the last few years, novel concepts of glia and glymphatic system have dramatically yielded unexpected results that challenge the traditional view of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. They also play a crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis. This symposium will highlight the latest developments in the reserch of glia and glymphatic system for the CNS in health and disease.

Associate Professor Bradley Turner is a Principal Research Fellow and Head of the Motor Neuron Disease Laboratory at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Australia. He obtained his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Melbourne in 2005. He completed postdoctoral training with Professor Dame Kay Davies and Professor Kevin Talbot at the University of Oxford in mouse functional genetics as an Australian NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow in 2008. He was recruited back to the Florey Institute and established his own independent research group in 2011. Supported by a Stafford Fox Senior Research Fellowship and NHMRC Dementia Research Leadership Fellowship, he is a molecular neurobiologist who leads a team investigating the molecular basis of pediatric and adult motor neuron diseases, spanning spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with an emphasis to develop effective drug, immune and gene-based treatment approaches for these disorders. His team's recent achievements include the discovery of intercellular misfolded protein transmission in ALS mediated by exosomes, demonstrating the preclinical efficacy of survival motor neuron (SMN) gene therapy for ALS, and defining a neuroprotective role of endogenous regulatory T cells in ALS.