Megan Steele

Megan Steele ... pursuing a cause

Groundbreaking research by a 21-year-old PhD student from James Cook University could lead to new treatments for people with dementia.

Megan Steele was the top ranked student among Australian applicants by Alzheimer's Australia Research, and will receive a "Hunter Postgraduate Research Scholarship into the causes of Alzheimer's disease".

The PhD fellowship will give Megan $23,000 a year for three years to continue her research into brain inflammation as one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease and to find drugs which might benefit people with dementia in the future.

Megan, from Townsville, finished her undergraduate degree - a Bachelor of Science - at JCU in 2005.She then enrolled as a Biochemistry Honours student at JCU's School of Pharmacy and Molecular Science in 2006.

During her honours project, she tested various food and plant samples in a collaborative project with CSIRO's Preventative Health Flagship for their anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective properties in an attempt to identify novel compounds that protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Some promising samples were identified and these leads will be followed up to determine the molecular structure of active compounds that are present.

In her PhD, Megan will be commencing a research project which will link inflammation and dysfunction of astrocytes, the "liver cell of the brain", as one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease.

"The hypothesis we will be testing is whether neurons (memory cells) die as a result of astrocytes (supportive cells), neglecting their neuroprotective functions and whether this is caused by disrupted energy metabolism in the brain," Megan said.

"If I am successful, this research could provide benefits to people with Alzheimer's disease in Australia in the longer term," said Megan, who hopes to remain in biomedical research after completing her PhD.

Applicants for the funding from Alzheimer's Australia Research were judged for the quality and potential of the applicant, the significance, feasibility and merit of the research proposal as well as the suitability of supervisors and institution.

"I am honoured that they have recognised the value of my PhD project and JCU's standing as a top research university," Megan said.
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Keywords: Megan Steele, alzheimers, dementia, research