Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
The University of Otago has launched a new brand. Find out more

Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 8821
Email
joanna.williams@otago.ac.nz
Position
Associate Professor
Department
Department of Anatomy
Qualifications
BSc MSc PhD (Otago)
Research summary
Molecular Neurobiology

Research

This research team applies the tools of molecular biology to uncover the mechanisms underlying how the brain adapts and responds when memories are formed. As ageing, brain trauma and neurological diseases result in deterioration of memories and have catastrophic affects both to the individual affected and society as a whole, it is important to understand the molecular steps involved in the maintenance of memories and identify how these are perturbed in disease.

For more details:
Neuroscience Research Group

Publications

Guévremont, D., Roy, J., Cutfield, N. J., & Williams, J. M. (2023). MicroRNAs in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and diagnostic accuracy meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 16272. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-43096-9 Journal - Research Article

Tippett, L. J., Cawston, E. E., Morgan, C. A., Melzer, T. R., Brickell, K. L., Ilse, C., … Le Heron, C., Buchanan, S., … Anderson, T. J., Williams, J. M., Cutfield, N. J., Dalrymple-Alford, J. C., … the NZ-DPRC. (2023). Dementia Prevention Research Clinic: A longitudinal study investigating factors influencing the development of Alzheimer’s disease in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 53(4), 489-510. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2098780 Journal - Research Article

Ryan, B., O'Mara Baker, A., Ilse, C., Brickell, K. L., Kersten, H. M., Williams, J. M., … Curtis, M. A. (2023). The New Zealand Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Study (FTDGeNZ): A longitudinal study of pre-symptomatic biomarkers. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 53(4), 511-531. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2101483 Journal - Research Article

Spoelstra, H. E., Westlake, C. M., & Williams, J. M. (2022). The relationship between secreted amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPPα) and the cell surface expression of NMDA glutamate receptors: A time-course study. In L. Wilson, H. Harcombe, P. Jayakaran, L. Burga, J. Antony, K. Morgaine, M. Garelja, A. Middleton, M. Anwar & T. Milne (Eds.), Proceedings of the 264th Otago Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) Meeting: Masters/Honours Student Speaker Awards. Dunedin, New Zealand: OMSRS. Retrieved from https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/12839 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Lamichhane, R., Williams, J., Fouille, R., Tirand, C., Wedlock, L., Hannaway, R., & Ussher, J. E. (2022, August). Co-stimulatory function of 4-1BB during MAIT cell activation by bacteria. Poster session presented at the Webster Centre for Infectious Diseases Satellite Meeting: Queenstown Research Week, Queenstown, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Back to top