ProfessorAaron Russell

Honorary Professor

Faculty of Health/School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences/Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition

  • Honorary Professor
    Faculty of Health/School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences/Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
  • +61 3 925 17397 (Work)
  • Off-Campus (Home)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research group is focused on determining the molecular factors that control
skeletal muscle wasting, growth and regeneration. Investigations are performed
in humans using in vivo models of muscle wasting including motor neuron
disease (MND), muscular dystrophy (DMD and sarcopenia. Acute and chronic
exercise protocols are used as models to investigate the signalling proteins
that regulate skeletal muscle growth and regeneration.
* In vitro studies are also performed using human primary muscle cells as well as C2C12 and L6 muscle cell lines.
* In vivo rodent models are used to investigate the role of specific molecular targets using AAV and lentiviral technology.
* Research tools include quantitative PCR, Western blotting, EMSA, Luciferase reporter assays, protein degradation and synthesis assays.
* Molecular targets of interest include PGC-1, STARS and several miRNA species.

GRANTS

  • GRANT
    Looking Beyond the Brain: How Motor Neuron Disease Impacts the Heart
    1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    Perpetual Philanthropic Services - IPAP2026/1586 - $105,000.00
  • GRANT
    New viral-mediated TDP-43 mouse models of MND
    3 Oct 2023 - 2 Oct 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Walker A,
    • Morsch M,
    • Brown-Wright H,
    • Lisowski L,
    • Russell A
    FightMND Impact Grant - $10,000.00
  • GRANT
    Investigating the role of neurturin as a therapeutic strategy to delay ALS disease progression
    1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Ruas J,
    • Bruce C,
    • Gatta PD,
    • Lindsay A
    Motor Neurone Disease Australia Inc (MND Aust) - IG2336 - $100,000.00
  • GRANT
    Evaluation of a novel inducible muscle-specific TDP-43 mouse model of ALS
    1 Oct 2022 - 30 Sep 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Walker A,
    • Wright D
    FightMND Impact Grant - G-106 - $249,993.89
  • GRANT
    Identifying biomarkers from extracellular vesicles for early detection, disease progression and therapeutic efficiency in MND
    1 Dec 2020 - 30 Nov 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Walker A,
    • Mathivanan S,
    • Chung R
    FightMND Impact Grant - $249,842.00
  • GRANT
    Promoting axon regeneration by suppressing miRNA-23a
    8 Nov 2018 - 30 Apr 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Islam R,
    • Russell A,
    • Foletta T,
    • Gatta PD,
    • Romero FG
    Brain Foundation - $30,000.00
  • GRANT
    Utilising a novel research model of motor neurone disease to investigate potential new therapeutic strategies: a proof-of-concept study
    5 Mar 2018 - 28 Mar 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Foletta T,
    • Gatta PD,
    • Islam R
    CASS Grant - Research - The CASS Foundation Limited - 7884 - $56,000.00
  • GRANT
    Rescuing the STARS protein as a treatment for muscular dystrophy
    15 Jul 2014 - 31 Dec 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Lynch G,
    • Gatta PD
    AFM Telethon - 17572 - $12,440.02
  • GRANT
    Inhibiting microRNA-23 as a therapeutic strategy to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    1 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Chung R
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Research Grants - GIA1433 - $89,453.00
  • GRANT
    Regulation of post-exercise recovery: Understanding the mechanisms of muscle inflammation and repair
    20 Nov 2013 - 19 Nov 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    Sports Medicine Australia - $2,000.00
  • INFRASTRUCTURE
    Exercise Open Treadmill with Shock for Rats and Mice. C-Pace Cell Culture EP stimulator with EHV100.
    1 Jan 2013 - 30 Jun 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    • Aaron Russell
    NHMRC - Equipment Grant (pre 2017) - GNT9000198 - $34,343.12
  • GRANT
    Role of STARS signalling in maintaining skeletal muscle mass and function; implications for our ageing population
    1 Jan 2013 - 31 Dec 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Lynch G
    NHMRC Project Grant - APP1046501 - $446,189.79
  • GRANT
    Skeletal muscle CD34+cells as targets to increase energy expenditure and insulin
    1 Jan 2011 - 15 Aug 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    • Aaron Russell
    DART Grant - Research - Diabetes Australia - Victoria (Research Trust) - $58,940.00
  • GRANT
    Health benefits of long-term strength training in patients with chronic kidney disease.
    30 Jun 2009 - 30 Jun 2011
    People funded by this grant:
    • Petersen A,
    • McMahon L,
    • Russell A,
    • Ducher G
    LEW Carty Charitable Fund Grant - Research - 6388 - $50,000.00
  • GRANT
    The role of Notch signalling in muscular dystrophy
    15 Jun 2009 - 31 Dec 2011
    People funded by this grant:
    • Lynch G,
    • Russell A
    NHMRC Project Grant - 566818 - $107,669.00
  • GRANT
    Physiological effects on volunteer fire fighters during fire supression of Australian bushfires
    2 Sep 2008 - 31 Dec 2008
    People funded by this grant:
    • Russell A,
    • Phillips M
    CRC_Bushfire Scholarship - $12,500.00
  • FELLOWSHIP
    Molecular targets involved with human muscle atrophy and hypertrophy
    31 Mar 2008 - 31 Mar 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    • Aaron Russell
    NHMRC CDF - Career Development Fellowship - 479536 - $380,558.72
  • GRANT
    Dermatan sulphate as a nutraceutical for application in the field of muscle growth: the effect of dermatan sulphate on human muscle cells
    27 Nov 2007 - 20 Mar 2009
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cameron-Smith D,
    • Crowe T,
    • Russell A
    CSIRO Grant - Research - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - $100,000.00
  • GRANT
    Understanding human muscle wasting
    15 Oct 2007 - 16 Oct 2008
    People funded by this grant:
    • Aaron Russell
    ANZCT Grant - William Buckland (no longer relevant) - $25,000.00
  • GRANT
    Molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial development and function in the skeletal muscle of ALS patients.
    1 Jun 2006 - 30 Jun 2007
    People funded by this grant:
    • Aaron Russell
    Assoc Francaise Contre Les Myopathies Grant - Research - $27,000.00