Dr Trent Woodruff
The Multiple Roles of Complement Anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a in
Neurodegeneration and Neurodevelopment
Dr Woodruff's research revolves around the innate immune
complement system, and the role its major activation fragments, C3a
and C5a, play in neurobiology. A specific focus of his work has
been the chronic neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis and Huntington's disease. Using a potent
and orally active cyclic peptide C5a receptor antagonist developed
at the University of Queensland, Dr Woodruff has shown the
therapeutic potential of targeting complement-mediated
neuro-inflammation to reduce neuronal cell death in these
neurodegenerative diseases. His team has also recently shown that
in addition to their roles in neurodegeneration, C5a and C3a also
play essential roles in neuronal development during
embryogenesis,revealing the widespread physiological and
pathological roles of this evolutionarily ancient immune
system.
Where:
UQCCR Main Auditorium, Ground Floor, Level 2, Building 71/918 Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston
When:
Starts: Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:00 PM
Ends: Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 1:00 PM
