Transition metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn are essential for brain function, because they enable energy production, metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Disturbed brain metal homeostasis has been observed in the ageing and degenerating brain (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). Elevated levels of Fe, Cu, Zn are frequently observed in to spatially associate with markers of brain pathology (e.g....
The greatest risk factor for dementia is ageing. With no cure or effective therapies to slow progression, and with an ageing population, dementia has reached crisis levels in Australia. The content and distribution of metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn is known to change in the ageing brain (metal dis-homeostasis)(1, 2), and thus, increased understanding of the mechanistic role of metal dis-homeostasis...
Brain cancer is a detrimental disease with poor long term prognosis. The most common type of brain cancer, glioblastoma, has an associated 5 year survival of only 5% in Australia [1]. New treatments are therefore highly sought after to overcome the glioblastoma resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) at the Imaging and Medical Beam Line (IMBL) of the...
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid found both naturally in the environment and as a harmful pollutant generated from industrial waste waters and gold mines. Arsenic can exist in both organic and inorganic forms and in four oxidation states: arsines and methyl arsines (As3-), elemental arsenic (As0), arsenite (AsO33-) and arsenate (AsO43-). Although arsenic is toxic and hazardous to human health,...
