I love meditation and fly fishing.

I have a family member with MS and I believe my research can make significant contribution to the treatment of MS.

I am a radiochemist that is interested in applying his skills to the field of MS. Unfortunately, I am not totally familiar with the rest of research revolving around MS.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neuroinflammatory illness affecting >25,000 people in Australia. Currently we do not have sensitive or specific tools to diagnose MS relapse, and distinguish the ‘inflammatory’ phase from ‘progressive’ forms of the disease. Positron emission tomography (PET), has a huge clinical potential in this field. In the neuroinflammatory foci of MS there is increased microglial activation, and upregulation of purinergic receptor, P2X7R. The well-established role of P2X7R in MS relevant neuroinflammation makes it a promising imaging target to monitor disease activity in real time. P2X7R PET tracers have potential to accurately visualize receptor expression/microglial activation and allow in vivo disease monitoring of inflammatory activity. This project will focus on developing four Oxoimidazolidine based P2X7R PET tracers with the ultimate aim of improving MS diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring and patient management.

The majority (85%) of patients with MS have a relapsing remitting (RRMS) clinical profile, which progresses to secondary progressive (SPMS). Up to 10% of patients with MS can have a primary progressive course (PPMS) without clear evidence of relapses. The diagnosis of MS progression as well as diagnosis of MS relapse is based on clinical examination supported by radiological investigations including the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, these current diagnostic tools have significant limitations in terms of sensitivity and in many cases is unable to show contemporary inflammatory activity. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging provides unrivalled sensitivity for non-invasive visualization and quantification of molecular targets in the brain. P2X7R has emerged as a ‘bright target’ for PET tracers to monitor neuroinflammation in neurological disease. Thus P2X7R PET tracers have potential to accurately visualize receptor expression/microglial activation and allow in vivo disease monitoring of inflammatory activity in MS.

I love discovery work to find the unknown. Something in the human spirit yearns to discover new knowledge. Performing chemistry experiments also reminds me of cooking in a kitchen which is another activity that i really enjoy.