Shows
THRIVING MINDS PODCASTEpisode #211. What running taught us about our brains, learn about exerkines with Associate Professor Tara Walker, Queensland Brain Institute, UQ and Co-host of Trail Tales.This week on Thriving Minds, I’m joined by Associate Professor Tara Walker, Senior Research Associate at the Queensland Brain Institute (UQ) — and co-host of the trail running podcast Trail Tales with Tara and Bryce.Tara and I are both neuroscientists, and we both love running. In this episode we explore the science and the joy of trail running — what it does for brain health, mental health, confidence, and connection. We talk about why running on trails feels so different to road running, how being in nature changes the experience, and why community is oft...
2026-02-1650 min
A Grey MatterUnveiling the nanoworld with super-resolution microscopyIn neurodegenerative diseases, about 99% are associated with protein molecules aggregating together. In recent years, super-resolution microscopy has revolutionised how scientists view these minute molecules aggregating, along with other cellular events. QBI’s Professor Fred Meunier advocated that The University of Queensland invest in super-resolution microscopy; this had paid dividends, revealing fascinating discoveries about the nanoworld. Professor Meunier and his lab can now observe molecules moving in space and time and are developing new techniques to better understand how our cells help us treat brain disorders and diseases.In this dynamic conversation, Professor Fred Meunier and...
2026-02-0926 minA Grey MatterThe unsolved science of general anaesthesiaDespite its everyday use in hospitals, scientists have yet to fully understand how general anaesthesia works. Professor Bruno van Swinderen began studying general anaesthesia using the tiny worm C.elegans in the 1990s. Now in his lab at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Bruno and Dr Drew Cylinder are studying general anaesthesia reversal agents, which could shorten patients’ recovery time and potentially reduce the risk of post-operative complications.In this thought-provoking discussion, Bruno and Drew explore:How party drugs led to general anaesthetics The difference between local, regional, and general anaesthetics General anaesthesia’s effect o...
2026-01-2730 minA Grey MatterBuilt different: Mitochondria’s mind-blowing powerMitochondria are known as the powerhouses of our cells, but research is revealing their wide role in brain health and links to rare genetic diseases that affect the brain. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Professor Steven Zuryn, a leading researcher in this field, and PhD student Tessa Onraet are investigating how keeping mitochondria healthy may help brain function. By studying tiny but experimentally powerful worms, C. elegans, their discoveries may help us understand more about the ageing brain and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. In this engaging conversation, Steven and Tessa discuss:Mitochondria’s role...
2026-01-1222 minA Grey MatterMove your mindExercise has many health benefits, including for our brains. Recent discoveries at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute offer new clues about the mechanisms that generate exercise’s positive effects. In their labs, Dr Tara Walker and Professor Jana Vukovic investigate how exercise enhances cognitive capacity from different angles. They study various mechanisms that can improve learning, memory, and neurogenesis. They are both on the cusp of clinical trials to begin translating their findings into practice. In this captivating conversation, Tara and Jana explore:How exercise impacts the brainThe process of neurogenesisWhether we ca...
2025-12-1523 minA Grey MatterMemory recall (Part 2)Virtual reality (VR) is changing how scientists study memory, and it involves exploring virtual mazes. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, cognitive neuroscience leader Professor Jason Mattingley, PhD student Richard Ronayne, and research assistant Jayce Rushton are conducting VR experiments that they hope will be adopted in clinical settings to test people’s navigational and spatial memory. In part two of this two-part series, our guests discuss:The challenge of using VR when conducting experimentsParticipants’ reactions to trying the VR memory testBuilding a virtual maze to test memoryHow VR can be used in a clini...
2025-12-0129 minA Grey MatterMemory recall (Part 1)Virtual reality (VR) is more than just a video game tool — it’s helping advance our understanding of memory. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, cognitive neuroscientist Professor Jason Mattingley, PhD student Richard Ronayne, and research assistant Jayce Rushton are using VR to immerse people in a world they can explore to test their navigational and spatial memory. In part one of this two-part series, our guests discuss:The different types of memory Why traditional memory tests may need refiningRichard’s unique journey from mining sites to neuroscience labsThe inspiration behind using VR to test me...
2025-11-2526 minA Grey MatterThe fusion frontierProfessor Massimo Hilliard and Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol grew up far from Queensland – Massimo in Naples, Italy, and Ramon in Catalonia, Spain. Their passion for biology led them both overseas as postdoctoral researchers: Massimo to the United States, and then Ramon to Australia. In 2015, they met at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, where Ramon joined the Meunier lab before moving to the Hilliard lab in 2020 as a Research Fellow. Together, they have been extending the limits of what is known or expected about neuronal fusion. In this fascinating conversation, Massimo and Ramon explore: What happens when ne...
2025-11-1030 minA Grey MatterSurviving, treating, fighting strokeIn this special World Stroke Day edition, three remarkable women open up about stroke from every angle — surviving it, treating it, and fighting it in the lab. Letishia Living was just 35 when her life changed overnight; today, she’s a powerful voice for young stroke survivors. Tennille Rowland, an occupational therapist on the frontlines of recovery, reveals the strategies behind rebuilding lives and QBI neuroscientist, Dr Matilde Balbi, takes us inside her cutting-edge research searching for new treatments to heal the brain.In this informative podcast, our three guests discuss:Surviving a stroke as a parentAdvice for...
2025-10-2933 minA Grey MatterCracking the MND codeIn this episode, Dr Margreet Ridder — whose project was ranked the top FightMND-funded study in 2024 — reflects on her journey to becoming a researcher at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) with her group leader, Professor Pankaj Sah. She shares how her fascination with neuronal communication led her to electrophysiology and ultimately to pursue gene therapy as a potential treatment for motor neurone disease (MND). In this insightful conversation, Pankaj and Margreet discuss: Why hyperactivity in neurons has become an attractive target for MND treatments The science of gene therapy Gene therapy’s potential to treat MND...
2025-10-2033 minA Grey MatterHow memories shape usDr Matt Kenna is fascinated by the science of memory. As a researcher at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Matt is tasked with challenging prominent theories centred around one of the biggest unknowns in the world of neuroscience. Memory is fundamental to our identity, shaping who we are. As a member of the Sah lab, Matt studies synaptic plasticity to explore how memories are formed, retrieved, and influence behavior.In this engaging conversation, Matt discusses:How memory is definedWhere memories are stored in the brainThe importance of sleep in consolidating memoryWhy some memories are mo...
2024-09-1634 minA Grey MatterRedefining mental healthProfessor John McGrath, a distinguished clinician and researcher at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, is at the forefront of global mental health research. Growing up in Brisbane, John initially pursued a career as a psychiatrist before transitioning to groundbreaking research aimed at unraveling the complexities of mental health disorders. Co-leading a major international study in collaboration with The University of Queensland and Harvard Medical School, John’s research revealed that one in two people will develop a mental health disorder by the age of 75. This pivotal study sheds light on crucial questions about mental health.In this fascinating co...
2024-09-0243 minA Grey MatterWhen comedy meets scienceMr Mehershad Wadia has written numerous scripts for short comedies screened at international film festivals like Mumbai and San Francisco, joined the writing team for the third season of The Office India and published a children’s book. Matching his passion for entertainment is Mehershad’s commitment to brain research. He is adamant there is no reason to choose between the two. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Mehershad works in the Hilliard lab, studying the nervous system of c.elegans. In this insightful conversation, Mehershad explains: How the right experimental conditions led to a stand...
2024-08-1924 minA Grey MatterTrain your brainWe know exercise is beneficial for our body and mind. Research has shown that neurogenesis – the production of neurons in the brain – continues throughout our lives and is key to improving cognition. At the Queensland Brain Institute, Dr Daniel Blackmore, has been captivated by this process of neurogenesis. Alongside colleagues from The University of Queensland, he completed a comprehensive study, investigating the potential of exercise in mitigating the cognitive decline associated with diseases impacting learning and memory. In this fascinating conversation, Dr Blackmore discusses: What is happening in the brain at the ons...
2024-07-2226 minA Grey MatterMeals matter for child brain developmentDr Bonnie Searle is passionate about getting children to eat. In her past life as a paediatric dietitian for children with food aversions, she experienced first-hand the power of changing how we feed children. She is currently working on a special research project at the Queensland Brain Institute, called Mealtimes Matter, which suggests that there are some serious nutritional deficiencies in some childcare centres, particularly in disadvantaged areas, that is having a detrimental effect on child development. In this insightful conversation, Dr Searle discusses:Why nutrition is important for developing brainsThe quality of...
2024-07-1028 minA Grey MatterA neuroengineered futureLast year, neuroengineer Dr Clarissa Whitmire joined the Queensland Brain Institute as a senior research fellow and is the Institute’s newest group leader. Originally from the United States, Clarissa arrived at UQ following a postdoctoral appointment at the Max Dellbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin. In a joint appointment with UQ’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Clarissa seeks to combine her expertise in biomedical engineering with the next phase of neuroscience. Here at QBI, Dr Whitmire and her team are working to improve the human condition by developing tools and technologies to inter...
2024-05-2625 minA Grey MatterThe business of neuroscienceAs a Research Fellow in Neuroeconomics, Dr Dragan Rangelov investigates human sensory perception, decision-making and memory. His work explores how the brain processes and stores information that leads us to make decisions in all aspects of life. He does this by using techniques designed to measure and record brain activity, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging and by identifying patterns of neural activity associated with external sensory stimuli.In this conversation, Dragan delves into various intriguing topics, including:The brain systems responsible for decision-makingHow neuroeconomics explores economic decision makingGame theory and how it...
2024-05-1326 minA Grey MatterReflecting on 20 years of brain research excellenceWhat inspired the creation of the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI)? And how did QBI become one of the leading neuroscience research centres in the world? On our 20th anniversary, QBI’s inaugural Director, Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett, and its current Executive Director, Professor Pankaj Sah, take us back to 2003, an exciting and optimistic time for Australian neuroscience, when it all began. They share memories and insights into QBI's origins, what and who has shaped our research over the years, and the community’s vital role in inspiring and sustaining QBI. In this engaging conversation, Pankaj and Perry delve...
2023-11-0831 minA Grey MatterHijacking the brain’s intrinsic recovery mechanisms to improve stroke therapiesStroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers, with more than 445,000 Australians living with its impacts. Stroke is common, is not always preventable and can happen to anyone at any age. QBI’s Dr Matilde Balbi and her team combine multiple approaches, including in vivo imaging, brain stimulation and AI-driven, individually tailored recovery paradigms, to study the brain’s recovery from stroke. Their goal is to identify and harness intrinsic neuroprotective mechanisms to improve stroke treatments. In this engaging conversation, Matilde explores: What happens in the brain after a stroke How her team records and tracks neu...
2023-07-2615 minA Grey MatterUnderstanding epilepsy's electrical storm in the brainQBI researcher Dr Nela Durisic is fascinated with how the brain coordinates electrical activity and how faulty electrical communication can lead to brain disorders like epilepsy. By observing the architecture and function of single molecules and their intricate connections, the Durisic lab aims to discover what leads to genetic epilepsy and uncover new ways to treat it. This knowledge may also advance our understanding of other brain disorders, including depression, addiction and autism. In this conversation, Nela dives into intriguing topics, including: The triggers and genetic causes of epilepsy The different roles of excitatory and inhibitory neuro...
2023-07-2125 minA Grey MatterWhat we can see inside our brain cells with super-resolution microscopyQBI researcher Professor Frederic Meunier is passionate about using highly innovative technology to discover how our brain cells communicate. His lab uses advanced nanoscale imaging (super-resolution microscopy) to observe single molecules in living neurons as they perform their function. In collaboration with mathematicians, the Meunier lab is analysing how small mutations can affect the nanoscale dynamics of single proteins and their function to help us understand the origins of brain disorders and diseases. In this conversation, Fred traverses far-ranging topics, including: Our brain’s chaotic inner cellular environment How imaging technology is evolving to accelerate discoveries Why video g...
2023-07-1026 minA Grey MatterIn the fight to find a cure for motor neurone diseaseBoots, beanies and all, QBI researcher Dr Adam Walker is in the fight to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND). His team uses genetic editing techniques and rapidly advancing technology to study what’s happening at the early onset of disease. By understanding the biological processes that cause MND, they hope to design new therapies that prevent or halt its progression. In this inspiring conversation, Adam explores: How the brain initiates movement Why expensive muesli can help explain MND The protein TDP-43 and its role in the death of motor neurons The exciting potential for targ...
2023-06-2123 minA Grey MatterHow does a teenager’s brain assess risk in decision-making?How do we make choices? And what happens in our brain when we do? Cognitive Neuroscientist Professor Jason Mattingley and his team study human brain activity and structure and how people pay attention, prioritise information and decide. With adolescence being a time of great change, the team is fascinated with how young people assess risk and develop an understanding of what’s at stake. It’s one of several studies the team conducts to understand the complex brain processes that give rise to human behaviour. In this engaging conversation, Jason delves into: Why it’s important to study...
2023-06-0928 minA Grey MatterWhat interneurons and their connections can teach us about autismDr Nathalie Dehorter and her team study interneurons (the neurons controlling the excitation-inhibition balance in the central nervous system) during brain development and in disorders like autism, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. Nathalie aims to identify early changes in neuronal activity and connectivity that give rise to impairment in the adult brain. She hopes that a better understanding of these processes may, one day, lead to new therapies tailored for a person’s age and gender. In this brief conversation, Nathalie explains: What mouse models of autism can teach us about the human condition How early brain changes...
2023-05-2614 minA Grey MatterThe many factors that impact how our memory worksProfessor Peter Nestor is a clinician-researcher interested in memory and cognition. As a doctor, he diagnoses people living with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. By studying patients, he hopes to enhance our understanding of the brain areas most vulnerable to neurodegeneration to improve diagnosis and therapies. In this fascinating conversation, Peter delves into:Why we don't remember every moment of our livesThe difference between episodic and semantic memoryWhat factors make us remember things How our memory changes as we ageWhy it's important to enjoy every day
2023-05-1227 minA Grey MatterHow you can build new brain cells even as you ageExercise has many benefits for our bodies, including our brains. So, can we replicate the positive effects of exercise to boost new neurons in the adult brain? Dr Tara Walker thinks so and has dedicated her research career to discovering how. Tara was one of the first researchers recruited to QBI when it opened in 2003. She swapped plant biotechnology for neurogenesis research, and it has taken her to Germany and back to QBI (eight years later) to run her own lab. In this conversation, Tara explains: The strongest way to generate new neurons in the...
2023-04-2818 minA Grey MatterPerception is a balance between prediction and surpriseQBI researcher Dr Margaret Moore discusses the fascinating and dynamic process of paying attention. Amidst the sensory overload around us, the brain takes as many shortcuts as possible to process information. To save energy, the brain efficiently chooses to process only what it expects is most helpful, most relevant, and most important to us. It also relies on predictions of what it expects to see, based on past experiences. When this expectation differs from what we actually see, a prediction error occurs, and the brain builds a new model of reality.In this conversation, Margaret explores: T...
2023-04-1425 minA Grey MatterExploring new territory in RNA and neuroscienceQBI researcher Professor Tim Bredy believes his team are on the verge of something big. They are studying the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA), which is present in all living things, including viruses. RNA is structurally like DNA but it is involved in multiple functions, including brain development, learning and memory. In this conversation, Tim explores: RNA’s functions in our body, including in our brain His team’s exciting discovery of a circular RNA The vast potential of emerging RNA therapies Embracing third-generation sequencing to accelerate discoveries How fundamental science is helping to advance RNA therapeutics
2023-03-3126 minA Grey MatterHow sleep helps us learn and respond to the worldEver wondered what’s happening in your brain while you sleep and why you need sleep? QBI researchers Professor Bruno van Swinderen and Dr Sally Staton approach sleep from different ends of the scientific spectrum, but both are fascinated by how sleep helps us learn and respond to the world. In this conversation, they delve into thought-provoking topics like: how sleep impacts a child’s brain development the different functions of sleep the value of REM sleep why study sleep in fruit flies how consciousness may have evolved
2023-03-1636 minA Grey MatterLooking back on 10 years with Sallyanne Atkinson AO and Professor Perry Bartlett AOThis episode features an insightful conversation between Sallyanne Atkinson AO, former Lord Mayor of Brisbane and current member of the QBI advisory, and Professor Emeritus Perry Bartlett AO, founding Director of the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) .You'll hear about the origins of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), the power of philanthropy and some of the research that’s been nurtured at the Centre over the past decade.
2022-10-0529 minA Grey MatterPodcast: Deep brain stimulation - a pacemaker for the brain?You probably have heard of a pacemaker – a small device which is implanted in the chest to help control the heartbeat for people living with heart conditions. But did you know similar technology is being used to treat several brain disorders?Today we are joined by Professor Peter Silburn AM, neurologist, researcher and pioneer in deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS technology delivers a continuous electrical impulse to targeted regions of the brain to treat many disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and obsessive compulsion disorder (OCD).
2022-04-1431 minA Grey MatterConcussion and the long-term effectsIn recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of sportspeople speak out about their experiences of head injuries, and concussions are forcing more and more athletes to take a break from or cut short their sporting careers. And research on the brains of former athletes is raising awareness of the long-term neurological damage that can be caused by repeated, apparently minor knocks to the head. Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah is currently spearheading a ground-breaking study here at the Queensland Brain Institute, investigating the long-term effects of concussion on the brain.
2022-03-2820 minA Grey MatterThe link between sleep apnoea and dementiaPeople living with dementia often have disturbed sleep – even years prior to experiencing any other symptoms. Unfortunately, as is the case with many risk factors, we don’t know whether this is a cause or a symptom, and it could in fact be both. Professor Elizabeth Coulson specialises in dementia research here at the Queensland Brain Institute and she’s heading up a team who are looking into the connection between sleep apnoea and dementia risks.
2022-03-1520 min
A Grey MatterHow the developing brain adaptsThe development of the brain is a fascinating process, with complex brain connections being made rapidly as a foetus grows inside its mother’s womb.Darryl Eyles, Professor of neurobiology, is studying how known risk factors for certain mental disorders can change the way the brain develops.In this episode we explore how the developing brain can adapt to risk factors for mental health disorders and why sometimes it can’t compensate.
2022-03-0328 minTHRIVING MINDS PODCASTEpisode #80. How exercise helps us remember better and extends our lifespan with Dr Tara Walker, neuroscientist.I can hear you now. I don’t run, or I am too old to run or the classic, I want to protect my knees, and the list goes on. This is exactly what I use to think. Exercise is the one thing shown across several studies to help the brain produce new cells or neurons, also called neuroplasticity. Dr Tara Walker, a neuroscientist, at the Queensland Brain Institute has spent the last 20 years trying to work out how running helps the brain’s memory centres function more effectively. In a recent high-profile journal, she and her colleagues published a re...
2022-02-161h 04
A Grey MatterMini brains and the potential of organoidsHow can you study the human brain at the cell level, when you can't get inside to see these tiny processes in action? Well, you build your own brain in a dish of course! Organoids, or mini brains, are an exciting new area of neuroscience an have many applications, including personalised medicine. We talk to Professor Enrst Wolvetang, who's using this cutting-edge research to understand how brains are made.
2022-02-1418 min
A Grey MatterThe conscious brainIn this episode, we examine consciousness – what is it, when does it begin, and how might sleep and dreams be the key to answering these questions. Professor Bruno van Swinderen sheds more light on this fascinating topic.
2022-01-3123 min
A Grey MatterWhen neuroscience meets conservation scienceQueensland Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Possingham and Queensland Brain Institute Director, Professor Pankaj Sah talk about the lessons we can learn from conservation science and neuroscience, how to influence decision-makers, and why maths is so important!
2021-11-3033 minA Grey MatterWhen neuroscience meets conservation scienceQueensland Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Possingham and Queensland Brain Institute Director, Professor Pankaj Sah talk about the lessons we can learn from conservation science and neuroscience, how to influence decision-makers, and why maths is so important!CREDITSProduced, hosted and edited by Carolyn Barry
2021-11-3033 min
A Grey MatterPay attention! How your brain decides what to focus onWhen we pay attention to something, our minds are selectively concentrating on a discrete piece of information, while choosing to ignore other perceivable elements. Dr Anthony Harris is an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellow at the Queensland Brain Institute and an expert on human attention. He discusses what goes on in the brain when we are giving something our full attention, and breaks down whether or not multitasking is a myth.
2021-11-1228 minA Grey MatterPay attention! How your brain decides what to focus onWhen we pay attention to something, our minds are selectively concentrating on a discrete piece of information, while choosing to ignore other perceivable elements. Dr Anthony Harris is an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellow at the Queensland Brain Institute and an expert on human attention. He discusses what goes on in the brain when we are giving something our full attention, and breaks down whether or not multitasking is a myth.
2021-11-1228 min
A Grey MatterBrain Health For Mental HealthWe all know diet, sleep and exercise are important for our health. But just how important are they for our mental health?
Queensland Brain Institute researchers Dr Susannah Tye and Professor Bruno van Swinderen are joined by psychiatrist Associate Professor Shuichi Suetani and gut health expert Dr Alena Pribyl Rinke to discuss the role that diet and your gut microbiome, sleep, exercise and your circadian rhythms play in brain function and the impact they have on mental health.
2021-10-261h 01
A Grey MatterThe cutting edge of dementia researchAlmost 500,000 Australians have some kind of dementia, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, there is no cure, and only one drug was recently approved for treatment. Researchers here at the Queensland Brain Institute are working on an ultrasound treatment that may offer the best chance to hit the damaged neurons and slow the progression of this terrible disease. We talk to QBI’s Professor Jurgen Gotz about this cutting-edge technology.CREDITHosted, produced and edited by Carolyn Barry
2021-09-2131 min
A Grey MatterWhere psychology and neuroscience collideHow do you make sure clinical treatment of people with brain injury, diseases and disorders is best informed by neuroscience? This is where the worlds of neuroscience and psychology collide. In this episode, we talk to Professor Gail Robinson, clinical neurospsychologist at the Queensland Brain Institute.
2021-06-0322 min
A Grey MatterWhy our brain is smarter than a machineParalysed people walking again and direct brain to brain communication aren’t just ideas in the realm of science fiction. We hear from Dr Lilach Avitan, a Computational Neuroscientist at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute who investigates how our brain processes information in order to understand normal and abnormal brain function. We chat about her start in the Israeli air force, the so called ‘Jennifer Aniston neuron’, how to build more intelligent computing devices and brain-machine interfaces.
2021-01-0714 min
Brain for BusinessSeries 1, Episode 14: Have we just stumbled on the biggest productivity increase of the century? With Professor John Quiggin, The University of QueenslandIn a recent article in The Conversation, Professor John Quiggin of the University of Queensland asserted that the Covid-19 pandemic might just have helped us to stumble on the biggest productivity increase of the century. But is this really the case? And if so, what are the longer term implications for societies, most particularly when the threat of the pandemic recedes?John Quiggin is an Australian economist, a Professor and an Australian Research Council Federation Fellow and a Laureate Fellow at the University of Queensland, and a member of the Board of the Climate Change Authority of the Australian Government...
2020-11-1825 min
A Grey MatterWhat did one brain cell say to the other?The brain is one of the most complex things that scientists study, with trillions of connections between brain cells responsible for our thoughts and actions and baseline functions. You’d think that if you zoom down and look into the cells and how they talk to each other, that things would be simpler but that’s not the case. Down at the nanoscale level of the brain is an entire tiny intricate world going on. In this episode, we talk to Dr Victor Anggono, who is trying to make sense of this world.
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2020-11-0400 min
A Grey MatterWhat did one brain cell say to the other?The brain is one of the most complex things that scientists study, with trillions of connections between brain cells responsible for our thoughts and actions and baseline functions. You’d think that if you zoom down and look into the cells and how they talk to each other, that things would be simpler but that’s not the case. Down at the nanoscale level of the brain is an entire tiny intricate world going on. In this episode, we talk to Dr Victor Anggono, who is trying to make sense of this world.CREDITHost...
2020-11-0410 min
It Can't Hurt To AskThe Brain 2.0This episode is all about the Brain, with a focus on how your brain helps you move. We spoke to neurologist Dr Alex Lehn from the Princess Alexandra Hospital about how your brain controls your bodily functions. He also explains what functional neurological disorders (FND) are and how they affect the body. Then, Queenslander Christine talks about her experience with FND. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-11-0330 minTHRIVING MINDS PODCASTEpisode # 51 Food and Mood and Brain Health with Tracey Challenor from Life Education QueenslandNeuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett is an international trailblazer who has been studying the human brain for 30 years.She believes that by understanding how the brain works and how we respond to stress, we can help manage addictive behaviours like drinking, smoking and binge eating.In this podcast for Life Education Queensland, coinciding with Queensland Mental Health Week, Professor Bartlett explores the link between food and mood, explaining why sugar is an addictive substance and how it changes the physical and chemical structure of the brain.She also reveals how it’s possible to re...
2020-10-1327 min
A Grey MatterThe power of 'hardworking people' helps researchQBI Group Leader Professor John McGrath discusses how the power of “hardworking people that wanted better treatments for their children” can support the next breakthrough in brain research.
In particular, John mentions how local group, ARAFMI (Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill), started supporting a PhD student at QBI. The inaugural recipient, one of our rising-star researchers, Dr James Kesby.
Discover more: www.bit.ly/3dfxA0m
2020-10-0901 min
A Grey MatterDo you see what I see?Did you know? Humans are pretty average when it comes to seeing the visual world compared to many other animals with much smaller brains. Or that octopuses are essentially colourblind? And that there’s really no such thing as colour?
We talk to visual ecologist Professor Justin Marshall about the fascinating world of animal vision.
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2020-09-1628 minA Grey MatterFrom stem cells, billions of brain cells growAt the very earliest stages of life, how do stem cells know how to turn into the right cells at the right time and go to the right places. Just a few cells create the billions of brain cells we have. In this episode, we talk to Professor Helen Cooper, Deputy Director of Research at the Queensland Brain Institute. She studies the complex world of the signalling pathways that stem cells use to turn into neurons - and what happens when this goes wrong.
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2020-09-1020 min
A Grey MatterFrom stem cells, billions of brain cells growAt the very earliest stages of life, how do stem cells know how to turn into the right cells at the right time and go to the right places. Just a few cells create the billions of brain cells we have. In this episode, we talk to Professor Helen Cooper, Deputy Director of Research at the Queensland Brain Institute. She studies the complex world of the signalling pathways that stem cells use to turn into neurons - and what happens when this goes wrong.CREDITHosted, produced and edited by Carolyn Barry1
2020-09-0920 min
A Grey MatterBirds, bees and brainsHow do birds and bees fly in groups without colliding? or know how to navigate straight to a food source? And how do you train a bee to fly down a tunnel? Studying these tiny insects can give us insight, not only into how our brains work, but also how we might enhance aircraft navigation.
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2020-09-0124 min
A Grey MatterThe biology of depression and treatmentsWe chat to neuroscientist Dr Susannah Tye from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, who investigates new therapies for treatment-resistant depression, about the signs and symptoms, causes and treatments of this common mental health disorder.
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2020-08-2517 min
A Grey MatterThe biology of depression and treatmentsWe chat to neuroscientist Dr Susannah Tye from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, who investigates new therapies for treatment-resistant depression, about the signs and symptoms, causes and treatments of this common mental health disorder.
2020-08-2517 min
A Grey MatterThe neuroscience of mental healthYou either know someone who's had a mental health disorder or you've had that challenge yourself. We know so much more about the science of mental health than ever before, but there's still so much to learn. Neuroscientists are doing their part to unlock the mysteries of why people get mental health disorders and how they develop.
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2020-08-1828 min
A Grey MatterFlies sleep like babiesWe spend approximately a third of our lives asleep: that’s roughly twenty-five years we could spend awake and running around being productive, and yet evolution has guided us to spend hours every night in our most vulnerable state – unconscious and unaware. It’s an easy question to ask: what’s the point?
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2020-08-1134 min
A Grey MatterHow zebrafish help unlock the secrets of autism spectrum disorderWho would have thought the humble zebrafish might hold the key to understanding our own brain, including conditions such as autism spectrum disorder? We talk to Associate Professor Ethan Scott who leads the Neural Circuits and Behaviour laboratory at QBI. Ethan is interested in understanding the biology behind developmental mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.
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2020-08-0425 min
A Grey MatterHow zebrafish help unlock the secrets of autism spectrum disorderWho would have thought the humble zebrafish might hold the key to understanding our own brain, including conditions such as autism spectrum disorder? We talk to Associate Professor Ethan Scott who leads the Neural Circuits and Behaviour laboratory at QBI. Ethan is interested in understanding the biology behind developmental mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.
2020-08-0425 min
A Grey MatterWhy making sense of nature matters to your healthWe talk to Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr Steven Zuryn about the importance of fundamental science – what it is and why it is critical for generating discoveries that may have huge impacts to your health. Both researchers use roundworms to tackle some big problems in neuroscience. They study the basics of how cells in the brain and nervous system work in a simple animal to gain insights into how our brains work.
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2020-07-2825 min
A Grey MatterWhy making sense of nature matters to your healthWe talk to Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr Steven Zuryn about the importance of fundamental science – what it is and why it is critical for generating discoveries that may have huge impacts to your health. Both researchers use roundworms to tackle some big problems in neuroscience. They study the basics of how cells in the brain and nervous system work in a simple animal to gain insights into how our brains work.CREDITHosted, produced and edited by Carolyn Barry
2020-07-2825 min
A Grey MatterWhy our brain is smarter than a machineParalysed people walking again and direct brain to brain communication aren’t just ideas in the realm of science fiction. We hear from Dr Lilach Avitan, a Computational Neuroscientist at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute who investigates how our brain processes information in order to understand normal and abnormal brain function. We chat about her start in the Israeli air force, the so called ‘Jennifer Aniston neuron’, how to build more intelligent computing devices and brain-machine interfaces.
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2020-06-0314 min
It Can't Hurt To AskThe BrainThis episode of My Amazing Body is all about the brain - one of the most important, and most mysterious, organs in your body. Consultant epileptologist from Princess Alexandra Hospital, Dr Sasha Dionisio describes the different parts of the brain, how they work together and how the brain works with the rest of your body. He also answers curly questions about where the mind is, speaks about how disease and injury can affect the brain, explains how he and his team diagnose and treat epilepsy, and lets us know what it's like to watch brain surgery.Have you enjoyed listening...
2019-10-0828 min
A Grey MatterRoss Maclean Fellowship Race Day: An interview with Jeff MacleanBusinessman Ross Maclean was a kid from Toowoomba whose battle against the odds would inspire the Ross Maclean Fellowship and its flagship event, the Ross Maclean Fellowship Race Day.
When Ross was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease – also known as MND – the sudden news rocked him to the core.
MND took nearly everything from Ross – except his courage and sheer will.
As a result, he was determined to find answers – not for himself – but for future generations.
Queensland Brain Institute’s Donna Lu sits down with Ross’ son, Jeff Maclean, to discuss his father’s journey …
2019-08-0712 min
A Grey MatterThe science of addictionWe all have our own ways of pursuing pleasure: some of us exercise; some of us love gaming; some of us can’t resist another bit of chocolate. But what happens when our ability to manage the pursuit of pleasure goes wrong?
In this episode of A Grey Matter, we talked to QBI’s Dr James Kesby about the brain’s reward mechanism – the dopamine system – and how faults in this mechanism can cause disorders such as depression and addiction.
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2018-10-3016 min
A Grey MatterThe science of addictionWe all have our own ways of pursuing pleasure: some of us exercise; some of us love gaming; some of us can’t resist another bit of chocolate. But what happens when our ability to manage the pursuit of pleasure goes wrong? In this episode of A Grey Matter, we talked to QBI’s Dr James Kesby about the brain’s reward mechanism – the dopamine system – and how faults in this mechanism can cause disorders such as depression and addiction.
2018-10-3016 min
A Grey MatterLiving well with dementiaJohn Quinn was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in his late 50s. Despite falling into a deep depression after his initial diagnosis, John is now a strong advocate for greater dementia awareness and research. In this episode of A Grey Matter, we hear from John and his partner Glenys, on their shared experience of living with John’s dementia. They are embarking on a four-day trek across Tasmania this October to raise vital funds for dementia research here at QBI.
See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
2018-09-2133 min
A Grey MatterSuper memory - what it's like to remember being a babyWe hear from Rebecca Sharrock, one of 60 people in the world known to have highly superior autobiographical memory. Becky remembers a vast amount of her lived experiences – from her earliest birthdays to what she had to breakfast on this day five years ago. In this episode we hear from her, her mother Janet, and Associate Professor Gail Robinson from UQ Psychology.
See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
2018-08-3032 min
A Grey MatterLiving with narcolepsy, and other sleep disordersWe all know what it feels like to have a bad night's sleep - and feel tired and irritable the next day. Sleep plays such an important role in recharging our minds and bodies – but what if, no matter how much sleep you had, you didn't wake rejuvenated the next day? In this episode, we're taking sleep disorders – everything from sleepwalking to problems getting to sleep in the first place. We’ll hear from Declan, a 24-year-old man with narcolepsy, and Dr Chelsie Rohrscheib, a sleep researcher at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute.
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2018-07-0521 min
A Grey MatterLiving with narcolepsy and other sleep disordersWe all know what it feels like to have a bad night's sleep - and feel tired and irritable the next day. Sleep plays such an important role in recharging our minds and bodies – but what if, no matter how much sleep you had, you didn't wake rejuvenated the next day? In this episode, we're taking sleep disorders – everything from sleepwalking to problems getting to sleep in the first place. We’ll hear from Declan, a 24-year-old man with narcolepsy, and Dr Chelsie Rohrscheib, a sleep researcher at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute.
2018-07-0521 min
A Grey MatterThe science of musical creativityWhat's going on in the brain when someone creates new music? Musical improvisation is a skill that draws on many parts of the brain and is also related to creativity in other domains. In this episode of A Grey Matter, we speak to legendary jazz pianist Jason Rebello and UQ neuroscientist Professor Geoff Goodhill to explore the science behind musical creativity.
Jason Rebello is a leading jazz pianist from the UK, who spent 10 years touring the world first with Sting and then Jeff Beck. He recorded three albums with Sting and has also recorded many of his own, including the 2016 s...
2018-06-1426 min
A Grey MatterThe science of musical creativityWhat's going on in the brain when someone creates new music? Musical improvisation is a skill that draws on many parts of the brain and is also related to creativity in other domains. In this episode of A Grey Matter, we speak to legendary jazz pianist Jason Rebello and UQ neuroscientist Professor Geoff Goodhill to explore the science behind musical creativity. Jason Rebello is a leading jazz pianist from the UK, who spent 10 years touring the world first with Sting and then Jeff Beck. He recorded three albums with Sting and has also recorded many of his own, including t...
2018-06-1426 min
A Grey MatterTennis champ Casey Dellacqua on concussionTennis is not usually a sport you’d associate with concussion, but for Casey Dellacqua, head injury hits close to home. The former dual Olympian, World No. 26 singles and World No. 3 doubles player suffered a concussion during a match in October 2015, which put her out of action for almost a year. She shares her experiences in this episode of A Grey Matter.
See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
2018-05-3118 min
A Grey MatterTennis champ Casey Dellacqua on concussionTennis is not usually a sport you’d associate with concussion, but for Casey Dellacqua, head injury hits close to home. The former dual Olympian, World No. 26 singles and World No. 3 doubles player suffered a concussion during a match in October 2015, which put her out of action for almost a year. She shares her experiences in this episode of A Grey Matter. And we talk with Dr Fatima Nasrallah, who studies traumatic brain injury.
2018-05-3118 min
A Grey MatterHow an adult with autism inspired this young researcherAutism is a condition that affects a person’s ability to interact socially and relate to the world around them. The degree to which a person is affected ranges across a wide spectrum, from severe difficulties in communicating to mild symptoms. Mia Langguth, a researcher at QBI, works part-time as a carer for Chris, a 24-year-old man with autism. She became a disability support worker almost by chance, but it's a job that has shaped the direction of her career.
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2018-05-1524 min
A Grey MatterGeneral anaesthetics and consciousnessWhy and how do we sleep and what is consciousness? Are all animals that sleep by definition conscious when they are awake? Associate Professor Bruno van Swinderen studies fruit flies and has recently published research which shows that flies have distinct sleep stages. General anaesthetics extinguish consciousness in humans, but how do they really work? His research shows that common mechanisms might be involved in all animals. What do sleep and general anaesthesia together tell us about how the brain works?
2018-02-0224 min
A Grey MatterDo brain stimulation devices make you smarter?When it comes to self-improvement, there’s no shortage of books, tips, websites and online articles, particularly when it comes to boosting memory or brain power. The search term “hack your brain” turns up more than 7 million hits on Google. In this episode, we’re talking about brain stimulation – using external devices involving magnetic fields and electricity to zap the brain. In recent years, a market of do-it-yourself devices has developed, promising products that can deliver a – quote unquote – “instant boost” to memory or attention. But the safety of these devices is another question, as is whether they even work.
2017-12-2019 min
A Grey MatterSleep deprivation and what happens to your brainWe all know what it feels like after a bad night’s sleep – you’re tired, sluggish, and it’s hard to concentrate. Lack of sleep can have lasting effects on the mind and body. So why is sleep so important?Dr Leonie Kirszenblat talks from a scientific and personal perspective about sleep deprivation and what happens to the brain when we don't get enough.
2017-11-3014 min
A Grey MatterIta Buttrose and Sallyanne Atkinson: the impacts of dementiaSallyanne Atkinson AO, Chair of QBI’s Advisory Board, talks to Ita Buttrose AO OBE, about her experience caring for her father, who had dementia. Ita is a national ambassador for Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer’s Australia.
2017-11-1616 min
A Grey MatterWhat is AI and will it take over the world?We have about 100 billion neurons in the brain, which contains a lot of information and processing power for a computer to try to emulate. So, how does AI work? Just how close are we to creating human-like computers, or even bionic body parts?
2017-10-2519 min
A Grey MatterOCD and deep brain stimulationWe talk to neurosurgeon and researcher Professor Peter Silburn about OCD and how deep brain stimulation, like in Parkinson's disease, could help those with the most severe form of the disorder.
2017-10-1215 min
A Grey MatterUnderstanding, preventing and treating dementiaQBI researchers are doing all they can to understand and develop new treatments for dementia. In this episode, Dr Gerhard Leinenga explains the different types of dementia, whether it's possible to reduce the risk of getting it, and exciting QBI research that has reduced the symptoms of Alzheimer's in animal models.CREDITHosted by Donna LuProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-09-2616 min
A Grey MatterStroke – a mother and daughter's story"At 31, my mother had a stroke which happened in an instant, and whose effect will span her entire life." Zoe McDonald interviews her mother, Dr Lavinia Codd, who is a stroke survivor and now stroke researcher at the Queensland Brain Institute. Zoe was just two at the time and she talks with her mother about the impact the stroke had on their family.CREDITProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-09-0621 min
A Grey MatterDepression and anxiety: what's going on in the brain?We talk to Dr Dhanisha Jhaveri about the biological foundations of depression and anxiety. Two key structures, the hippocampus and the amygdala are integral to memory and emotions, respectively, and Dr Jhaveri studies how these function normally in order to understand what might happen when things go wrong.CREDITHosted by Donna LuProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-08-2518 min
A Grey MatterWhen gaming meets neuroscienceDr Bianca Di Wit, from the Department of Cognitive Science at Macquarie University in Sydney talks gaming - of the neuro kind. Just what is this new field of neurogaming and how can it be used for learning? Can playing games make us more intelligent?CREDIT Hosted by Donna Lu Produced by Jessica McGaw
2017-08-0214 min
A Grey MatterMia Freedman: my struggle with anxiety"Anxiety is often something that you can't even attach to something. It's just almost an existential feeling of dread or fear." Mia Freedman is the founder and director of the Mamamia Women's Network and seems to have it all together. But here she talks openly about her personal struggle with anxiety, how she was convinced she had a non-existent cancer, and when her world came tumbling down.CREDIT Hosted by Donna Lu Produced by Jessica McGaw
2017-07-2123 min
A Grey MatterSleep basicsSleep. We all need it, but are we getting enough? How much sleep do we need to function on a day to day basis without feeling fatigued or irritable? What are the side effects of sleep deprivation? It is sleep awareness week and to get all the important answers we are talking to Dr Chelsie Rohrscheib, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Cognitive and Behavioural Lab of Associate Professor Bruno Van Swinderen at the Queensland Brain Institute.CREDIT Hosted by Donna Lu Produced by Jessica McGaw
2017-07-0514 min
A Grey MatterThe fundamentals of basic scienceWhat is basic/fundamental science? Dr Steven Zuryn explains the slow burn of basic science, how it is the building block for many of our current scientific endeavours and that it has the ability to help affect generations to come.CREDITHosted by Donna LuProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-06-2718 min
A Grey MatterWhat sea creatures can tell us about neuroscienceMost of what we know about neuroscience has been worked out from research on animals in the sea. One of those things is vision. Professor Justin Marshall talks about how important sea creatures are to our understanding of neuroscience, particularly vision. And Dr Fanny De Busserolles tells us what we can learn about vision from the creatures that inhabit the deep, dark depths of the oceans.CREDITHosted by Donna LuProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-06-0825 min
A Grey MatterWhat happens to your brain as you ageWhat does the science say when it comes to healthy ageing? In this episode of A Grey Matter we speak to pioneering neuroscientist Professor Perry Bartlett about healthy ageing and how the brain regenerates itself.CREDITHosted by Donna LuProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-06-0616 min
A Grey MatterThe most aggressive cancer in the brainGlioblastoma is the most aggressive cancer originating in the brain, and it affects people of all ages. Dr Jens Bunt, a scientist in the Brain Disorders and Development lab at QBI, is researching to find a cure. In this episode, he explains what brain cancer is and how tumours occur. A Grey Matter is the Queensland Brain Institute's podcast about neuroscience. CREDITHosted by Donna Lu & Jessica McGawProduced by Jessica McGaw
2017-02-0611 min
A Grey MatterUsing brain imaging to diagnose mental illnessTo mark Mental Health Week, we meet Dr Marta Garrido. Marta is a laboratory leader at QBI, and recently won a highly competitive UQ Research award for her work in schizophrenia. She's researching ways to use brain imaging to identify the onset of schizophrenia as soon as possible, to provide that all-important early intervention. But to understand how the brain works in people at risk of schizophrenia, Dr Garrido says we need to stop thinking of people as mentally healthy or mentally ill. Instead, we need to think of it as a spectrum.CREDIT
2016-10-1408 min
A Grey MatterTreating schizophrenia, bridging the divide between lab and clinicIn a calendar full of awareness weeks and days, the need for a Schizophrenia Awareness Week remains paramount. Despite affecting more than 21 million people worldwide, schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood disorders in the broader community, and one of the most puzzling for neuroscientists. QBI’s Dr James Kesby recently received a $300,000 Advance Queensland Research Fellowship to research how the disorder develops, but also to bridge the divide between the lab and the clinic. CREDITHosted by Kirsten MacGregor Produced and edited by Donna Lu.
2016-05-1711 min
A Grey MatterUsing deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson’s diseaseDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is an increasingly common procedure for neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. This week's episode of A Grey Matter features Professor Peter Silburn, Director of the Queensland Brain Institute’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation. Professor Silburn is a neurologist and world expert in DBS. He and neurosurgeon Associate Professor Terry Coyne have together performed more than 800 DBS procedures. Professor Silburn discusses Parkinson's disease, DBS, and the wonder of the human brain. A Grey Matter is the Queensland Brain Institute's podcast about neuroscience. CREDITHosted by Kirsten MacGregorProduced and edite...
2016-04-0812 min
A Grey MatterNeurobiologist's view on coral bleaching in the Great Barrier ReefThis week the grey matter in question is not, in fact, the brain, but the bleached corals of the Great Barrier Reef. Professor Justin Marshall leads the Sensory Neurobiology laboratory at the Queensland Brain Institute. He talks about working with Sir David Attenborough, the citizen science project Coral Watch, and the unprecedented coral bleaching that is unfolding on the Great Barrier Reef. A Grey Matter is the Queensland Brain Institute's podcast about neuroscience.CREDITHosted by Kirsten MacGregorProduced and edited by Donna Lu
2016-03-3121 min
A Grey MatterThe curious link between vitamin D and schizophreniaSchizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness that affects more than 21 million people worldwide. While genetics plays a part, several environmental factors can predispose someone to getting the condition. This episode of A Grey Matter features Professor John McGrath, a psychiatrist and schizophrenia researcher at the Queensland Brain Institute. He talks about smoking, vitamin D, and how common it actually is to experience hallucinations and delusions. CREDIT Hosted by Donna Lu Produced by Jessica McGaw
2015-10-1615 min
A Grey MatterThe neuroscience of racismThe recent furore about the booing of AFL player Adam Goodes has reignited a debate about racism in both the sport and in Australia. Why do we show prejudice towards people whom we perceive to be different to us? In this episode of A Grey Matter, we discuss how your brain might respond differently when you see the pain of someone from another racial group. CREDIT Hosted, produced and edited by Donna Lu
2015-08-2711 min
A Grey MatterNerve regeneration and the Australian Brain BeeWhat do Christopher Reeve and a tiny transparent worm have in common? What does a Sega video game have to do with the brain? In this episode of A Grey Matter we're talking about the Australian Brain Bee, and nerve regeneration, which might provide an avenue for treating spinal cord injury. CREDITHosted, produced and edited by Donna Lu
2015-07-1409 min