Dr Steven Zuryn is a molecular geneticist within the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland. After training as a PhD in genetics, he undertook postdoctoral reseach at the Institut Génétique Biologie Moléculaire Cellulaire (IGBMC) in Strasbourg, France. He now leads an international and diverse team of postdoctoral, PhD, Honours, and undergraduate investigators studying epigenetics and mitochondrial biology. His laboratory’s work focuses on the role and impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and is particularly fascinated with mutations that accumulate within the mitochondria’s own genome during ageing. His research has been published in the high profile journals Science, Nature Cell Biology, and Nature Communications and has appeared in multiple mainstream media outlets. For his research, he has received multiple international prizes and fellowships, been awarded grants from the NHMRC and ARC as primary chief investigator and is generously supported as a fellow of the Stafford Fox Research Foundation. Steven is passionate about communicating the critical importance of fundamental scientific research as a long-term human endeavour.
Follow the Zuryn lab on Twitter: @zurynlab
Visit the Zuryn lab website.
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.
In recent research, the Zuryn lab has shown that neurodegenerative disease-associated tau and polyglutamate proteins can increase the levels of mutations in the mitochondrial genome. This is the first evidence linking the two hallmarks of nerodegeneration and provides new avenues in which to explore potential therapeutics.
Journal Article: ATFS-1 counteracts mitochondrial DNA damage by promoting repair over transcription
Dai, Chuan-Yang, Ng, Chai Chee, Hung, Grace Ching Ching, Kirmes, Ina, Hughes, Laetitia A., Du, Yunguang, Brosnan, Christopher A., Ahier, Arnaud, Hahn, Anne, Haynes, Cole M., Rackham, Oliver, Filipovska, Aleksandra and Zuryn, Steven (2023). ATFS-1 counteracts mitochondrial DNA damage by promoting repair over transcription. Nature Cell Biology, 25 (8), 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41556-023-01192-y
Journal Article: FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors
Nguyen‐Dien, Giang Thanh, Kozul, Keri‐Lyn, Cui, Yi, Townsend, Brendan, Kulkarni, Prajakta Gosavi, Ooi, Soo Siang, Marzio, Antonio, Carrodus, Nissa, Zuryn, Steven, Pagano, Michele, Parton, Robert G, Lazarou, Michael, Millard, S Sean, Taylor, Robert W, Collins, Brett M, Jones, Mathew JK and Pagan, Julia K (2023). FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors. The EMBO Journal, 42 (13) e112767. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022112767
Journal Article: C. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease
Onraet, Tessa and Zuryn, Steven (2023). C. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.04.006
Microbiome Regulation of the Host Mitochondrial Genome
(2023–2027) ARC Future Fellowships
Mitochondria as sensors of environmental threats
(2023–2025) ARC Discovery Projects
Metabolic and molecular protection against mtDNA mutations
(2022–2025) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
Discovery of molecules and molecular pathways that counteract mitochondrial DNA damage
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial effects on host mitochondrial DNA
Doctor Philosophy
Determining how mitochondrial quality is maintained within axons
Doctor Philosophy
ATFS-1 counteracts mitochondrial DNA damage by promoting repair over transcription
Dai, Chuan-Yang, Ng, Chai Chee, Hung, Grace Ching Ching, Kirmes, Ina, Hughes, Laetitia A., Du, Yunguang, Brosnan, Christopher A., Ahier, Arnaud, Hahn, Anne, Haynes, Cole M., Rackham, Oliver, Filipovska, Aleksandra and Zuryn, Steven (2023). ATFS-1 counteracts mitochondrial DNA damage by promoting repair over transcription. Nature Cell Biology, 25 (8), 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41556-023-01192-y
FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors
Nguyen‐Dien, Giang Thanh, Kozul, Keri‐Lyn, Cui, Yi, Townsend, Brendan, Kulkarni, Prajakta Gosavi, Ooi, Soo Siang, Marzio, Antonio, Carrodus, Nissa, Zuryn, Steven, Pagano, Michele, Parton, Robert G, Lazarou, Michael, Millard, S Sean, Taylor, Robert W, Collins, Brett M, Jones, Mathew JK and Pagan, Julia K (2023). FBXL4 suppresses mitophagy by restricting the accumulation of NIX and BNIP3 mitophagy receptors. The EMBO Journal, 42 (13) e112767. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022112767
C. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease
Onraet, Tessa and Zuryn, Steven (2023). C. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.04.006
LONP-1 aids propagation of deleterious mtDNA
Kirmes, Ina and Zuryn, Steven (2022). LONP-1 aids propagation of deleterious mtDNA. Nature Cell Biology, 24 (2), 127-128. doi: 10.1038/s41556-021-00838-z
Cell-specific mitochondria affinity purification (CS-MAP) from Caenorhabditis elegans
Ahier, Arnaud, Onraet, Tessa and Zuryn, Steven (2021). Cell-specific mitochondria affinity purification (CS-MAP) from Caenorhabditis elegans. STAR Protocols, 2 (4) 100952, 1. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100952
Richman, Tara R., Ermer, Judith A., Siira, Stefan J., Kuznetsova, Irina, Brosnan, Christopher A., Rossetti, Giulia, Baker, Jessica, Perks, Kara L., Cserne Szappanos, Henrietta, Viola, Helena M., Gray, Nicola, Larance, Mark, Hool, Livia C., Zuryn, Steven, Rackham, Oliver and Filipovska, Aleksandra (2021). Mitochondrial mistranslation modulated by metabolic stress causes cardiovascular disease and reduced lifespan. Aging Cell, 20 (7) e13408, e13408. doi: 10.1111/acel.13408
PINK1 and parkin shape the organism-wide distribution of a deleterious mitochondrial genome
Ahier, Arnaud, Dai, Chuan-Yang, Kirmes, Ina, Cummins, Nadia, Hung, Grace Ching Ching, Götz, Jürgen and Zuryn, Steven (2021). PINK1 and parkin shape the organism-wide distribution of a deleterious mitochondrial genome. Cell Reports, 35 (9) 109203, 109203. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109203
Brosnan, Christopher A., Palmer, Alexander J. and Zuryn, Steven (2021). Cell-type-specific profiling of loaded miRNAs from Caenorhabditis elegans reveals spatial and temporal flexibility in Argonaute loading. Nature Communications, 12 (1) 2194, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22503-7
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)
Klionsky, Daniel J., Abdel-Aziz, Amal Kamal, Abdelfatah, Sara, Abdellatif, Mahmoud, Abdoli, Asghar, Abel, Steffen, Abeliovich, Hagai, Abildgaard, Marie H., Abudu, Yakubu Princely, Acevedo-Arozena, Abraham, Adamopoulos, Iannis E., Adeli, Khosrow, Adolph, Timon E., Adornetto, Annagrazia, Aflaki, Elma, Agam, Galila, Agarwal, Anupam, Aggarwal, Bharat B., Agnello, Maria, Agostinis, Patrizia, Agrewala, Javed N., Agrotis, Alexander, Aguilar, Patricia V., Ahmad, S. Tariq, Ahmed, Zubair M., Ahumada-Castro, Ulises, Aits, Sonja, Aizawa, Shu, Akkoc, Yunus ... Tong, Chun-Kit (2021). Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition). Autophagy, 17 (1), 1-382. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280
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 (8), 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
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.
Microbiome Regulation of the Host Mitochondrial Genome
(2023–2027) ARC Future Fellowships
Mitochondria as sensors of environmental threats
(2023–2025) ARC Discovery Projects
Metabolic and molecular protection against mtDNA mutations
(2022–2025) NHMRC IDEAS 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
(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
(2014–2025) The Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation
Discovery of molecules and molecular pathways that counteract mitochondrial DNA damage
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Microbial effects on host mitochondrial DNA
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Determining how mitochondrial quality is maintained within axons
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Mitochondrial DNA damage in neurons: Protective responses that preserve neural functions
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Comparative analysis of instinctual feeding behaviour and addiction in the genetic model organism, C. elegans.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Investigating the role of oxidative stress in neurodegeneration.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Pharmacogenetics of anorexia in the model organism C.elegans
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Unravelling Epigenetic Modifiers of Mitochondrial DNA
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Uncovering Modifiers of mtDNA Damage Expressivity
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Discovery of Molecules that Suppress the Effect of Mitochondrial Genome Damage
(2019) Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: