Dr Gabriela-Oana Bodea

UQ Amplify Researcher

Queensland Brain Institute
g.bodea@uq.edu.au
+61 7 344 37688

Overview

Dr Gabriela Bodea completed her PhD with highest honours (Summa cum laude) in April 2014 in the laboratory of Prof. Sandra Blaess at the University of Bonn, Germany. Dr Bodea's PhD work was focused on understanding developmental mechanisms leading to neuronal diversity in the mammalian brain. In June 2014, Dr Bodea joined the Genome Plasticity and Disease group at the Mater Research Institute, Australia, where she began investigating the role of LINE-1 retrotransposons, a class of mobile DNA elements colloquially referred to as "jumping genes", in creating genetic variability within neurons. In 2017, Dr Bodea moved to the Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, to continue her work on understanding the impact of LINE-1 retrotransposon activity on specific subpopulations of neurons focusing on its potential link to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease. Dr Bodea's work has been supported by prestigious fellowships awarded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development scheme. Dr. Bodea has published in top journals, such as Cell, Cell Reports, Genome Research, and Development. Dr Bodea has also been involved in the training and mentorship of PhD students and participated in course coordination and lecturing activities.

Research Interests

  • Selective neuronal vulnerability to neurodegneration
  • Early life stress link to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Bonn

Publications

  • Gerdes, Patricia, Chan, Dorothy, Lundberg, Mischa, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Bodea, Gabriela O., Ewing, Adam D., Faulkner, Geoffrey J. and Richardson, Sandra R. (2023). Locus-resolution analysis of L1 regulation and retrotransposition potential in mouse embryonic development. Genome Research, 33 (9), 1465-1481. doi: 10.1101/gr.278003.123

  • Billon, Victor, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J, Rasmussen, Jay, Bodea, Gabriela O, Gerhardt, Daniel J, Gerdes, Patricia, Cheetham, Seth W, Schauer, Stephanie N, Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Meyer, Thomas J, Layman, Cora E, Nevonen, Kimberly A, Jansz, Natasha, Garcia-Perez, Jose L, Richardson, Sandra R, Ewing, Adam D, Carbone, Lucia and Faulkner, Geoffrey J (2022). Somatic retrotransposition in the developing rhesus macaque brain. Genome Research, 32 (7), gr.276451.121-1314. doi: 10.1101/gr.276451.121

  • Bodea, Gabriela O., Ferreiro, Maria E., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Botto, Juan M., Rasmussen, Jay, Rahman, Muhammed A., Fenlon, Laura R., Gubert, Carolina, Gerdes, Patricia, Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel, Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Kozulin, Peter, Billon, Victor, Morell, Santiago, Kempen, Marie-Jeanne H.C., Love, Chloe J., Palmer, Lucy M., Ewing, Adam D., Jhaveri, Dhanisha J., Richardson, Sandra R., Hannan, Anthony J. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2022). LINE-1 retrotransposon activation intrinsic to interneuron development.

  • Smits, Nathan, Rasmussen, Jay, Bodea, Gabriela O., Amarilla, Alberto A., Gerdes, Patricia, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Modhiran, Naphak, Liang, Benjamin, Faivre, Jamila, Deveson, Ira W., Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Ewing, Adam D. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2021). No evidence of human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2 found by long-read DNA sequencing. Cell Reports, 36 (7) 109530, 109530. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109530

  • Bodea, Gabriela O., McKelvey, Eleanor G. Z. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2018). Retrotransposon-induced mosaicism in the neural genome. Open Biology, 8 (7) 180074, 180074. doi: 10.1098/rsob.180074

  • Richardson, Sandra R., Gerdes, Patricia, Gerhardt, Daniel J., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Bodea, Gabriela-Oana, Muñoz-Lopez, Martin, Jesuadian, J. Samuel, Kempen, Marie-Jeanne H. C., Carreira, Patricia E., Jeddeloh, Jeffrey A., Garcia-Perez, Jose L., Kazazian Jr., Haig H., Ewing, Adam D. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2017). Heritable L1 retrotransposition in the mouse primordial germline and early embryo. Genome Research, 27 (8), 1395-1405. doi: 10.1101/gr.219022.116

  • Bodea, Gabriela O. and Blaess, Sandra (2015). Establishing diversity in the dopaminergic system. FEBS Letters (Federation of European Biochemical Socities), 589 (24, Part A), 3773-3785. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.09.016

  • Upton, Kyle R., Gerhardt, Daniel J., Jesuadian, J. Samuel, Richardson, Sandra R., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Bodea, Gabriela O., Ewing, Adam D., Salvador-Palomeque, Carmen, van der Knaap, Mario S., Brennan, Paul M., Vanderver, Adeline and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2015). Ubiquitous L1 mosaicism in hippocampal neurons. Cell, 161 (2), 228-239. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.03.026

  • Bodea, Gabriela Oana, Spille, Jan-Hendrik, Abe, Philipp, Andersson, Aycan Senturk, Acker-Palmer, Amparo, Stumm, Ralf, Kubitscheck, Ulrich and Blaess, Sandra (2014). Reelin and CXCL12 regulate distinct migratory behaviors during the development of the dopaminergic system. Development, 141 (3), 661-673. doi: 10.1242/dev.099937

View all Publications

Grants

View all Grants

Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • Selective degeneration of a specific subset of dopaminergic neurons represents the main neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Environmental neurotoxins, as well as genetic components interact to induce dopaminergic neurodegeneration through yet an unclear mechanism. X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) encodes for an epigenetic factor that binds to methylated DNA, and it has been linked with the mediation of gene-environment interactions. Mecp2 mutations (in Mecp2 knockout mice and humans) induce symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease and dopamine metabolism disorders. In this project, we will investigate the specific role of Mecp2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We will utilise relevant neurotoxin treatments of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived dopaminergic neurons and primary cultures as a model of Parkinson's disease. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced lab techniques, shRNA, CRISPR on/off switch, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry.

    • Directly contribute to ongoing research with the potential for publication in scientific journals.
    • Gain hands-on experience in essential laboratory techniques in neuroscience, molecular biology, and genetics.
    • Work alongside experienced researchers in a supportive and collaborative environment.

    No prior research experience is necessary! We welcome students interested in neuroscience, molecular biology and genetics.

  • This research project offers a unique opportunity to explore the connection between maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy and the increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring. We will specifically investigate how MIA impacts gene expression patterns in the developing mouse brain, focusing on cellular and molecular changes relevant to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced lab techniques, including RNA in situ hybridization (RNAscope), CRISPR/dCas9 modulation, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and cell culture.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Featured Publications

  • Gerdes, Patricia, Chan, Dorothy, Lundberg, Mischa, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Bodea, Gabriela O., Ewing, Adam D., Faulkner, Geoffrey J. and Richardson, Sandra R. (2023). Locus-resolution analysis of L1 regulation and retrotransposition potential in mouse embryonic development. Genome Research, 33 (9), 1465-1481. doi: 10.1101/gr.278003.123

  • Billon, Victor, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J, Rasmussen, Jay, Bodea, Gabriela O, Gerhardt, Daniel J, Gerdes, Patricia, Cheetham, Seth W, Schauer, Stephanie N, Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Meyer, Thomas J, Layman, Cora E, Nevonen, Kimberly A, Jansz, Natasha, Garcia-Perez, Jose L, Richardson, Sandra R, Ewing, Adam D, Carbone, Lucia and Faulkner, Geoffrey J (2022). Somatic retrotransposition in the developing rhesus macaque brain. Genome Research, 32 (7), gr.276451.121-1314. doi: 10.1101/gr.276451.121

  • Bodea, Gabriela O., Ferreiro, Maria E., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Botto, Juan M., Rasmussen, Jay, Rahman, Muhammed A., Fenlon, Laura R., Gubert, Carolina, Gerdes, Patricia, Bodea, Liviu-Gabriel, Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Kozulin, Peter, Billon, Victor, Morell, Santiago, Kempen, Marie-Jeanne H.C., Love, Chloe J., Palmer, Lucy M., Ewing, Adam D., Jhaveri, Dhanisha J., Richardson, Sandra R., Hannan, Anthony J. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2022). LINE-1 retrotransposon activation intrinsic to interneuron development.

  • Smits, Nathan, Rasmussen, Jay, Bodea, Gabriela O., Amarilla, Alberto A., Gerdes, Patricia, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Modhiran, Naphak, Liang, Benjamin, Faivre, Jamila, Deveson, Ira W., Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Ewing, Adam D. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2021). No evidence of human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2 found by long-read DNA sequencing. Cell Reports, 36 (7) 109530, 109530. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109530

  • Bodea, Gabriela O., McKelvey, Eleanor G. Z. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2018). Retrotransposon-induced mosaicism in the neural genome. Open Biology, 8 (7) 180074, 180074. doi: 10.1098/rsob.180074

  • Richardson, Sandra R., Gerdes, Patricia, Gerhardt, Daniel J., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Bodea, Gabriela-Oana, Muñoz-Lopez, Martin, Jesuadian, J. Samuel, Kempen, Marie-Jeanne H. C., Carreira, Patricia E., Jeddeloh, Jeffrey A., Garcia-Perez, Jose L., Kazazian Jr., Haig H., Ewing, Adam D. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2017). Heritable L1 retrotransposition in the mouse primordial germline and early embryo. Genome Research, 27 (8), 1395-1405. doi: 10.1101/gr.219022.116

  • Bodea, Gabriela O. and Blaess, Sandra (2015). Establishing diversity in the dopaminergic system. FEBS Letters (Federation of European Biochemical Socities), 589 (24, Part A), 3773-3785. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.09.016

  • Upton, Kyle R., Gerhardt, Daniel J., Jesuadian, J. Samuel, Richardson, Sandra R., Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Bodea, Gabriela O., Ewing, Adam D., Salvador-Palomeque, Carmen, van der Knaap, Mario S., Brennan, Paul M., Vanderver, Adeline and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2015). Ubiquitous L1 mosaicism in hippocampal neurons. Cell, 161 (2), 228-239. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.03.026

  • Bodea, Gabriela Oana, Spille, Jan-Hendrik, Abe, Philipp, Andersson, Aycan Senturk, Acker-Palmer, Amparo, Stumm, Ralf, Kubitscheck, Ulrich and Blaess, Sandra (2014). Reelin and CXCL12 regulate distinct migratory behaviors during the development of the dopaminergic system. Development, 141 (3), 661-673. doi: 10.1242/dev.099937

Book Chapter

  • Kempen, Marie-Jeanne H. C., Bodea, Gabriela O. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2017). Neuronal genome plasticity: retrotransposons, environment and disease. Human retrotransposons in health and disease. (pp. 107-125) edited by Gael Cristofari. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-48344-3_5

Journal Article

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Selective degeneration of a specific subset of dopaminergic neurons represents the main neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Environmental neurotoxins, as well as genetic components interact to induce dopaminergic neurodegeneration through yet an unclear mechanism. X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) encodes for an epigenetic factor that binds to methylated DNA, and it has been linked with the mediation of gene-environment interactions. Mecp2 mutations (in Mecp2 knockout mice and humans) induce symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease and dopamine metabolism disorders. In this project, we will investigate the specific role of Mecp2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We will utilise relevant neurotoxin treatments of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived dopaminergic neurons and primary cultures as a model of Parkinson's disease. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced lab techniques, shRNA, CRISPR on/off switch, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry.

    • Directly contribute to ongoing research with the potential for publication in scientific journals.
    • Gain hands-on experience in essential laboratory techniques in neuroscience, molecular biology, and genetics.
    • Work alongside experienced researchers in a supportive and collaborative environment.

    No prior research experience is necessary! We welcome students interested in neuroscience, molecular biology and genetics.

  • This research project offers a unique opportunity to explore the connection between maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy and the increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring. We will specifically investigate how MIA impacts gene expression patterns in the developing mouse brain, focusing on cellular and molecular changes relevant to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced lab techniques, including RNA in situ hybridization (RNAscope), CRISPR/dCas9 modulation, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and cell culture.