Associate Professor Frederic Meunier (NHMRC SRF)

Frederic Meunier

One of the focuses of our laboratory is to decipher the dynamics of molecular events taking place during internalisation and trafficking of neurotropic pathogens in neurons.

We use new fluorescent probes and state-of-the-art live-cell microscopy, in combination with the power of proteomics, electrophysiology and biochemistry, to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for endocytic trafficking of pathogens and neurotoxins in neurons.

Our ultimate aim is to understand the sequence of molecular interactions underlying the infectious processes in order to find new ways of counteracting the devastating effect of neurotropic agents on the nervous system (tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins, West Nile virus, Rabies, Poliovirus etc).

Conversely our laboratory has made used of the exquisite potency and selectivity of neurotoxins targetting the nervous system to dissect presynaptic mechanisms involved in exocytosis, endocytosis and vesicular trafficking in neurons.

Our work on phosphoinositides has helped identifying new ways of counteracting infection by acting on the endocytic trafficking pathway highjacked by pathogens.

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