Teaching an old molecule new tricks; study a potential game-changer for MS research

Drs Jae Young Lee and Steven Petratos, first and last authors
respectively on the paper

by Anne Crawford

Monash University researchers have developed – and patented – a small molecule that holds promise as a drug to help treat diseases affecting motor control, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Led by Dr Steven Petratos, the researchers investigated the molecule, called DITPA, in a rare disorder called Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS). The condition, which starts developing before birth, causes psychomotor retardation, whereby the person cannot control movement in their body and can have severe intellectual disability. It is inherited via a genetic mutation and only affects males.

CCS Postgraduate Symposium - 17 November, All invited!

Professor Paul Zimmet competing in the No-Bell prize
competition at the 2016 Postgraduate symposium

You're invited to attend the 9th annual Central Clinical School Post Graduate Symposium. The event aims to improve the visibility of students and their research projects on a larger scale and celebrate their achievements. They not only make the presentations, they run the show!

The day involves oral and poster presentations by postgraduate students, as well as fun activities for supervisors. There is an audience voted winner as well. Make sure you come along and support our students!

For more information about the day, see here.

2017 Symposium details
Date:  Friday 17th November, 2017
Time: 10am - 3pm (includes morning tea and lunch)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, level 5, Alfred Centre
Enquiries: Student services ccs.hdr@monash.edu
RSVP to attend by 10 November
Abstract submission by 10 November

Congratulations to 2017 Data Innovation Award Winner, Professor Helmut Butzkueven

Prof Helmut Butzkueven receiving Research
Australia's Data Innovation award

Professor Helmut Butzkueven is joining the new Monash Department of Neurosciences. His work was recently recognised in  Research Australia's annual awards in the category of Data Innovation. Professor Butzkueven is an academic neurologist specialising in management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and real-world MS outcomes research.  

See full story at:
researchaustralia.org/2017-data-innovation-award-winner-professor-helmut-butzkueven/

Photo of the week: Senior Australian of the Year Victoria is Prof Paul Zimmet!

Congratulations to Professor Paul Zimmet AO who was awarded Senior Australian of the Year for Victoria last night! L-R: The Hon. Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, Professor Paul Zimmet AO and Governor of Victoria, the Hon. Linda Dessau; Prof Zimmet with the award; and the award itself. See more:

• our blog story for detail
• Australian of the Year awards

What's on at CCS 30 Oct-03 Nov 2017

Professor T. Clark Gamblin is giving
a public lecture 2 Nov on cancers
which predominantly affect men

Central Clinical School (CCS) has regular seminar series and postgraduate presentations. Event notices are posted on the CCS Events calendar.

CCS staff and students can see details of both public and local events (including professional development courses, trade fairs and Graduate Research Student calendars) and deadlines, at the CCS intranet's Announcements page

See CCS seminar index: www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/events/seminars.html

What's on at CCS 30 Oct-03 Nov 2017

Mon	30/10/2017	►	12:30	Alfred Psychiatry Unit Audit - A/Prof Yitz Hollander, Head Adult IPU
Tue	31/10/2017	►	10:00	Department of Diabetes Student Journal Club
Wed	1/11/2017	►	11:30	Immunology Seminar- Lars Nitschke
Thur	2/11/2017	►	11:30	Cutting Edge Journal Club: Jessica Borger
		►	12:00	The Alfred Grand Round: Prof Hans Schneider, Dr Joel Smith & Dr Jeff Pope
		►	14:30	Alfred Surgical Research Forum
		►	17:30	CCS Department of Surgery public lecture: The forgotten male cancers - Prof T. Clark Gamblin

Event reminder: 2 Nov "The forgotten male cancers", Surgery public lecture

Professor T.Clark Gamblin, visiting Fulbright Scholar, is giving
a public lecture 2 Nov 2017 at the Alfred Medical Research and
Education (AMREP) centre. RSVP here for catering purposes

The 2017 Surgery Public Lecture is coming up shortly on Thursday 2 November. Come and hear internationally renowned surgeon, Professor T. Clark Gamblin, on the forgotten but lethal male cancers, including those of the pancreas, liver and oesophagus.

Recent CCS publications: 21-27 Oct 2017

A/Prof Christoph Hagemeyer's group, members of whom have
co-authored a recent study on how in mice a dose of HDL can
reduce damage after a heart attack. Christoph also won an award
for best basic paper in the Alfred Research Week awards, and his
SRO Dr Karen Alt was awarded a MRFF Career Dev. Fellowship

Recent publications for Central Clinical School affiliated authors in the following departments. Note, browse down this entry for complete publications list. Linked headings for each section are to the departments' home pages.

• Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (AIRMed)
• Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD) 
• Centre for Obesity Research and Education
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology and Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medicine
• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC)
• Surgery