Jenny Gunnersen

Associate Professor Jenny Gunnersen is a researcher in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. She heads the Gunnersen laboratory, dedicated to neuron development and plasticity. Gunnersen obtained her BSc (Hons) in Marine Biochemistry from James Cook University in 1986 and her PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1994. Her research explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control the formation of dendritic branches and synapses, essential for neuronal circuitry in development and disease. Key investigations include synapse loss in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease and strategies to mitigate it, synaptic strengthening contributing to psychostimulant abuse and neuropathic pain pathologies, and the roles of Seizure-related gene 6 (Sez6) family proteins in synapse development and maintenance. Dysregulation of Sez6 proteins is linked to autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and febrile seizures. Her laboratory employs inducible tissue-specific gene knockouts in mice, molecular biological techniques, protein biochemistry, behavioral analyses, and electrophysiological methods in collaboration with other researchers.

Gunnersen has obtained significant funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), including Project Grant 1099930 (2016-2018, $685,811; CIA) for a potential analgesic target in neuropathic pain; Project Grant 1058672 (2014-2016, $677,527; CIA) on secondary effects of BACE1 inhibition for Alzheimer’s disease; Project Grant 1008046 (2011-2013, $596,072; CIA) on Sez6 and neuronal calcium signalling in synapse development; Project Grant 1008787 (2011-2013, $561,732; CIA) on Ndfip1 in neuronal development; and earlier grants such as 566620 (2009-2011, CIB) on interneuron migration mechanisms and 454462 (2007-2009, CIA) on Sez6 signalling in the neocortex. Notable publications encompass Gunnersen et al. (2007) 'Sez-6 proteins influence multiple stages of cortical interneuron development' in Neuron; Hammond et al. (2014) 'Lack of the synaptic protein interaction partner Sez6 impairs motor functions, short-term memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation' in Cerebral Cortex; Butler et al. (2015) in Learning & Memory; Simon et al. (2015) in Acta Neuropathologica; and Howitt et al. (2015) in Journal of Molecular Cell Biology. Her work advances insights into neuronal connectivity, learning, memory, and therapeutic targets for cognitive and neurological disorders.

Professional Email: jenny.gunnersen@unimelb.edu.au