Peter Noakes

Associate Professor Peter Noakes is an academic affiliated with the University of Queensland's School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland Brain Institute, and the Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research. He holds the rank of Associate Professor and focuses on cell and molecular mechanisms underlying motoneuron cell death, synapse formation/plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His research employs genetically modified mice to study signaling molecules like agrin, laminins, and TGFβ2, as well as ion channel roles (P2X receptors). He is actively involved in supervising PhD candidates and has secured multiple grants from organizations like the NHMRC and Cure for MND Foundation.

Research Interests:

• Molecular mechanisms of neuromuscular synapse maintenance
• Role of complement system in neurodegeneration
• Developmental motoneuron survival and death
• Protein aggregation and stress granules in ALS

Funding Highlights:

• 2024-2027: Mechanisms promoting motor unit health in MND (Cure for MND Foundation)
• 2022-2025: Developing treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Muscular Dystrophy Association)
• 2020-2024: Understanding neuromuscular synaptic loss in MND (NHMRC)

Publications: Over 170 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on complement inhibitors in ALS, neuromuscular junction dysfunction, and organoid models of white matter pathology.