Studies Investigating the non-protein amino acid BMAA, as an environmental trigger for motor neurone disease

Project Member(s): Rodgers, K.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia (Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia - Motor Neurone Disease Research Grants)

Start year: 2014

Summary: In this project we will examine the possibility that the non-protein amino acid BMAA could be a trigger for motor neurone disease (MND). BMAA is made by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and is released into the environment. More than 90% of people who suffer from MND have sporadic MND (not genetic) and very little is known about the environmental factors that can contribute to their disease. These studies are aimed at understanding the mechanism by which BMAA damages motor neurons.

Publications:

Main, BJ, Dunlop, RA & Rodgers, KJ 2016, 'The use of l-serine to prevent β-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA)-induced proteotoxic stress in vitro', Toxicon, vol. 109, pp. 7-12.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Keywords: motor neurone diseaseBMAAneurotoxicity

FOR Codes: Water Safety, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Urban Water Policy, Neurodegenerative Disorders Related to Ageing, Clinical health, Environmental policy, legislation and standards, Water transport

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.