Overview
In September 2015 Dr Zuryn was awarded the Stafford Fox Senior Research Fellowship and opened his new lab at QBI. One of the main focuses of the Zuryn group is the emerging role of epigenetic mechanisms that help preserve correct cell function. They have recently found that specific types of histone methylation ensure robust neuronal function in the face of stressful conditions, research that was published in the prestigious journal Science. The team’s next goal is to understand how this occurs, and to be able to predict outcomes under alternative epigenetic criteria that may influence disease progression.
The Zuryn group is also interested in understanding fundamental aspects of neuronal mitochondrial biology. To do this, they have developed novel genetic tools in 2015 that will allow them to probe neuronal responses under stresses that model stroke and dementia. They aim to develop means to protect robust neuronal function from these types of diseases.
Research Impacts
With life expectancies increasing around the world, neurodegenerative disorders represent an enormous disease burden on individuals, families, and society. Two forms of cellular stress are associated with practically every single age-related neurodegenerative disease: mitochondrial dysfunction, and toxicity resulting from conformationally challenged, aggregate-prone proteins. Although direct links between these factors and human disease are sometimes elusive, it is clear that such stresses ultimately lead to a decline in individual neuron function over time.
To sustain correct function, terminally differentiated post-mitotic neurons must preserve their subtype identity, morphology, activity, and connectivity even in the presence of these chronic insults. The Zuryn lab uses cutting-edge molecular genetic techniques in the highly successful model organism C. elegans to understand the fundamental mechanisms neurons use to mitigate disease-related threats. The beauty of such a model is that they are able to accurately distil complex phenotypic phenomena down into single-cell and single-gene resolution.
Qualifications
- PhD, The University of Queensland
Publications
-
Journal Article: Mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations that generate reactive oxygen species
Hahn, Anne and Zuryn, Steven (2019). Mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations that generate reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants, 8 (9) 392, 392. doi: 10.3390/antiox8090392
-
Journal Article: Disease‐associated tau impairs mitophagy by inhibiting Parkin translocation to mitochondria
Cummins, Nadia, Tweedie, Andrea, Zuryn, Steven, Bertran‐Gonzalez, Jesus and Götz, Jürgen (2019). Disease‐associated tau impairs mitophagy by inhibiting Parkin translocation to mitochondria. The EMBO Journal, 38 (3) e99360, e99360. doi: 10.15252/embj.201899360
-
Journal Article: Alternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints
Bezawork-Geleta, Ayenachew, Wen, He, Dong, LanFeng, Yan, Bing, Vider, Jelena, Boukalova, Stepana, Krobova, Linda, Vanova, Katerina, Zobalova, Renata, Sobol, Margarita, Hozak, Pavel, Novais, Silvia Magalhaes, Caisova, Veronika, Abaffy, Pavel, Naraine, Ravindra, Pang, Ying, Zaw, Thiri, Zhang, Ping, Sindelka, Radek, Kubista, Mikael, Zuryn, Steven, Molloy, Mark P., Berridge, Michael V., Pacak, Karel, Rohlena, Jakub, Park, Sunghyouk and Neuzil, Jiri (2018). Alternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints. Nature Communications, 9 (1) 2221, 2221. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04603-z
Grants
-
Mechanisms that control the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA mutations
(2020–2023) ARC Discovery Projects
-
Molecular protection against mitochondrial DNA damage
(2019–2021) NHMRC Project Grant
-
Prevention and treatment of mitochondrial DNA mutations
(2019–2021) The Donald & Joan Wilson Foundation Ltd
Supervision
-
Protecting neurons and muscle from mitochondrial DNA damage.
Doctor Philosophy
-
Discovering molecules and molecular pathways that counteract mitochondrial DNA damage
Doctor Philosophy
-
Discovery of Molecules that Suppress the Effect of Mitochondrial Genome Damage
(2019) Master Philosophy
Publications
Journal Article
-
Mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations that generate reactive oxygen species
Hahn, Anne and Zuryn, Steven (2019). Mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations that generate reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants, 8 (9) 392, 392. doi: 10.3390/antiox8090392
-
Disease‐associated tau impairs mitophagy by inhibiting Parkin translocation to mitochondria
Cummins, Nadia, Tweedie, Andrea, Zuryn, Steven, Bertran‐Gonzalez, Jesus and Götz, Jürgen (2019). Disease‐associated tau impairs mitophagy by inhibiting Parkin translocation to mitochondria. The EMBO Journal, 38 (3) e99360, e99360. doi: 10.15252/embj.201899360
-
Alternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints
Bezawork-Geleta, Ayenachew, Wen, He, Dong, LanFeng, Yan, Bing, Vider, Jelena, Boukalova, Stepana, Krobova, Linda, Vanova, Katerina, Zobalova, Renata, Sobol, Margarita, Hozak, Pavel, Novais, Silvia Magalhaes, Caisova, Veronika, Abaffy, Pavel, Naraine, Ravindra, Pang, Ying, Zaw, Thiri, Zhang, Ping, Sindelka, Radek, Kubista, Mikael, Zuryn, Steven, Molloy, Mark P., Berridge, Michael V., Pacak, Karel, Rohlena, Jakub, Park, Sunghyouk and Neuzil, Jiri (2018). Alternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints. Nature Communications, 9 (1) 2221, 2221. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04603-z
-
Ahier, Arnaud, Dai, Chuan-Yang, Tweedie, Andrea, Bezawork-Geleta, Ayenachew, Kirmes, Ina and Zuryn, Steven (2018). Affinity purification of cell-specific mitochondria from whole animals resolves patterns of genetic mosaicism. Nature Cell Biology, 20 (3), 352-360. doi: 10.1038/s41556-017-0023-x
-
The Cellular Mitochondrial Genome Landscape in Disease
Hahn, Anne and Zuryn, Steven (2018). The Cellular Mitochondrial Genome Landscape in Disease. Trends in Cell Biology, 29 (3), 227-240. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.11.004
-
Sequential histone-modifying activities determine the robustness of transdifferentiation
Zuryn, Steven, Ahier, Arnaud, Portoso, Manuela, White, Esther Redhouse, Morin, Marie-Charlotte, Margueron, Raphaël and Jarriault, Sophie (2014). Sequential histone-modifying activities determine the robustness of transdifferentiation. Science, 345 (6198), 826-829. doi: 10.1126/science.1255885
-
Wilkinson, Ray, Wang, Xiangju, Kassianos, Andrew J., Zuryn, Steven, Roper, Kathrein E., Osborne, Andrew, Sampangi, Sandeep, Francis, Leo, Raghunath, Vishwas and Healy, Helen (2014). Laser capture microdissection and multiplex-tandem PCR analysis of proximal tubular epithelial cell signaling in human kidney disease. PLoS One, 9 (1) e87345, e87345.1-e87345.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087345
-
Deep sequencing strategies for mapping and identifying mutations from genetic screens
Zuryn, Steven and Jarriault, Sophie (2013). Deep sequencing strategies for mapping and identifying mutations from genetic screens. Worm, 2 (3), e25081. doi: 10.4161/worm.25081
-
A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas
Schlipalius, David I., Valmas, Nicholas, Tuck, Andrew G., Jagadeesan, Rajeswaran, Ma, Li, Kaur, Ramandeep, Goldinger, Anita, Anderson, Cameron, Kuang, Jujiao, Zuryn, Steven, Mau, Yosep S., Cheng, Qiang, Collins, Patrick J., Nayak, Manoj K., Schirra, Horst Joachim, Hilliard, Massimo A. and Ebert, Paul R. (2012). A core metabolic enzyme mediates resistance to phosphine gas. Science, 338 (6108), 807-810. doi: 10.1126/science.1224951
-
Zuryn, Steven, Daniele, Thomas and Jarriault, Sophie (2011). Direct cellular reprogramming in Caenorhabditis elegans: Facts, models, and promises for regenerative medicine. WIREs Developmental Biology, 1 (1), 138-152. doi: 10.1002/wdev.7
-
Direct in vivo reprogramming involves transition through discrete, non-pluripotent steps
Richard, Jai Prakash, Zuryn, Steven, Fischer, Nadine, Pavet, Valeria, Vaucamps, Nadège and Jarriault, Sophie (2011). Direct in vivo reprogramming involves transition through discrete, non-pluripotent steps. Development, 138, 1483-1492. doi: 10.1242/dev.063115
-
A strategy for direct mapping and identification of mutations by whole-genome sequencing
Zuryn, S., Le Gras, S., Jamet, K. and Jarriault, S. (2010). A strategy for direct mapping and identification of mutations by whole-genome sequencing. Genetics, 186 (1), 427-430. doi: 10.1534/genetics.110.119230
-
Zuryn, Steven, Kuang, Jujiao, Tuck, Andrew and Ebert, Paul R. (2010). Mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans causes metabolic restructuring, but this is not linked to longevity. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 131 (9), 554-561. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2010.07.004
-
Valmas, Nicholas, Zuryn, Steven and Ebert, Paul R. (2008). Mitochondrial uncouplers act synergistically with the fumigant phosphine to disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and cause cell death. Toxicology, 2008 (252), 33-39. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2008.07.060
-
Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans
Zuryn, Steven, Kuang, Jujiao and Ebert, Paul (2008). Mitochondrial modulation of phosphine toxicity and resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Toxicological Sciences, 102 (1), 179-186. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfm278
Conference Publication
-
Biochemical mechanisms of phosphine action and resistance
Kuang, J., Zuryn, S., Valmas, N., Cha'on, U, Cui, Y.W., Cheng, Q., Tuck, A., Collins, P.J. and Ebert, P.R. (2008). Biochemical mechanisms of phosphine action and resistance. 8th International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products, Chengdu, China, 21-26 September 2008. China: Sichuan Publishing house of Science & Technology.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
-
Mechanisms that control the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA mutations
(2020–2023) ARC Discovery Projects
-
Molecular protection against mitochondrial DNA damage
(2019–2021) NHMRC Project Grant
-
Prevention and treatment of mitochondrial DNA mutations
(2019–2021) The Donald & Joan Wilson Foundation Ltd
-
(2018) NHMRC Equipment Grant
-
Epigenetic determination of neuronal vulnerability and neurodegenerative disease
(2017–2019) NHMRC Project Grant
-
(2016) NHMRC Equipment Grant
-
Generating transgenic mitochondrial genomes for investigation of mitochondrial biology in vivo
(2016) UQ Early Career Researcher
-
(2014–2024) The Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
-
Protecting neurons and muscle from mitochondrial DNA damage.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Discovering molecules and molecular pathways that counteract mitochondrial DNA damage
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Unravelling Epigenetic Modifiers of Mitochondrial DNA
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Investigating the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the caenorhabditis elegans response to environmental stress
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Completed Supervision
-
Discovery of Molecules that Suppress the Effect of Mitochondrial Genome Damage
(2019) Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
