National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED)

Menzies Health Institute Queensland , Griffith University, Menzies Health Institute Queensland , Griffith University

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The NCNED is a world-class research facility focusing on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Our research is dedicated to the identification of the pathology, development of a screen/diagnostic test and pharmacological treatments for ME/CFS patients. Our aim is to translate research to improve ME/CFS patient outcomes in the area of preventative medicine, social and clinical care, and public health.

Website https://www.griffith.edu.au/menzies-health-institute-queensland/about-menzieshiq/Infectious-Diseases-and-Immunology/neuroimmunology-and-emerging-diseases

Key science sectors

• Health and medical

Strengths and capabilities

• ME/CFS research
• Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
• Immunology
• Epidemiology
• Therapeutic development
• Screening/diagnostic test development

Facilities and major equipment

• Physical containment class 2 (PC2) laboratory
• Electrophysiology laboratory
• Flow cytometry equipment
• Cell culture laboratory
• NCNED Biobank for ME/CFS

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

Level 9, G40 Ian O'Connor Building, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Southport, Queensland, 4222

Lead researchers

• Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik—Identified transient receptor potential ion channel dysfunction in ME/CFS patients
• Associate Professor Leighton Barnden—25 years experience in Nuclear Medicine and has reported on abornal brain MRI findings in ME/CFS
• Dr Kiran Thapaliya—Expertise in modeling MRI signals to study tissue microstructures using multi-echo gradient echo at 7 tesla.

Achievements of the centre

• Identified transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channel dysfunction in ME/CFS patients
• Restoration of impaired transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channel function in natural killer cells of ME/CFS patients
• Identified neuronal microstructural changes in ME/CFS patients

Organisation type

• University Research Centre