Monif group

Neuroimmunology, Neuroinflammation and Neurological Diseases Laboratory

Key terms

Neurology, Neuroimmunology, Neuroinflammation, Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Encephalits, Gliomas, Microglia, Purinergic Receptors

The group


2018 Monif group L-R: Back row - Robb Wesselingh, William O'Brien, Matthew Drill, Katrina Kan Front row - Sarah Griffith, Veronica Voo, Mastura Monif (Group Leader), Shokoufeh Abdollahi

Research Goal

To understand how neuroinflammation can lead to neurological diseases.

Research Overview

Our research goals are to understand the neuroinflammatory and neuroimmunological processes in a number of neurological conditions. Our research is transitional in nature involving bed (hospital) to bench (laboratory) neuroscience approaches. The key disease states that we focus on are Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, Human Gliomas, Stroke related neuroinflammation, and traumatic brain injury and neuroinflammatory cascades.

Projects

Current Project Funding

2017-19   Haynes Fellowship (Neurosciences Foundation; Royal Melbourne Hospital)
2018 Penny Cook Foundation

Selected Publications

See recent publications for Mastura Monif at Pubmed search [Monif M]

  • Liyen Katrina Kana, David Williams, Kate Drummond, Terence O'Brien, Mastura Monif, The role of microglia and P2X7 receptors in gliomas, Journal of Neuroimmunology. Volume 332, 15 July 2019, Pages 138-146
  • Veronica Voo, Helmut Butzkueven, Terence O’Brien, Mastura Monif, The role of vitamin D and P2X7R in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroimmunology. March 2019, 330; 159-169. This study highlights the role of Vitamin D in MS and the innate immunity responses.
  • Robb Wesselingh, Mastura Monif, Status Epilepticus Complicating Anti-Ma2 Antibody Associated Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Encephalitis Neurological Disorders & Epilepsy Journal 2019; 2(1):121.
  • Broadley J, Seneviratne U., Beech P., Buzzard K., Butzkueven H., O’Brien T., Monif M., Prognosticating autoimmune encephalitis: a systematic review, Journal of Autoimmunity, 2019 Jan; 96:24-34. As a senior author, Dr Monif and team showed that delay in immunotherapy commencement is associated with poor patient outcome.
  • James Broadley, Udaya Seneviratne, Paul Beech, Katherine Buzzard, Helmut Butzkueven, Terence O’Brien, Mastura Monif, Prognosis in autoimmune encephalitis:
  • James Broadley, Mastura Monif, Case reports of unexplained weight loss in autoimmune central neurological syndromes with anti-GAD antibodies, Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews, 2018;1(4):23
  • Monif M., Seneviratne U., (2017) Clinical factors associated with the yield of routine outpatient scalp electroencephalogram: A retrospective analysis from a tertiary hospital. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 45:110
  • Monif M., Reid CA, Powell K L, Drummond KL, O’Brien TJ, Williams DA (2016) Interleukin-1β is a key player mediating P2X7 receptor dependent microglial activation and proliferation. Journal Of Neuroinflammation 13: 173.
  • Monif M, O’Brien TJ, Drummond KJ, Reid CA, Luibinas SV, Williams DA (2014) P2X7 Receptors are a potential novel target for anti-glioma therapies. Journal of Inflammation, 11:25.
    Jessica Taylor, Davide Bondavalli, Mastura Monif, Lee Mei Yap, Ingrid Winship (2014). Mal de Meleda in Indonesia – mutations in the SLURP1 gene appear to be ubiquitous. Australasian Journal of Dermatology. 57:1 (11-13)
  • Monif M, Reid CA, Powell KL, Smart ML, Williams DA (2009) The P2X7 receptor drives microglial activation and proliferation: a trophic role for P2X7R pore. J Neuroscience. 29:3781-3791.
  • M. Monif, Burnstock G, Williams DA (2010). Microglia: Proliferation and activation driven by the P2X7 receptor. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Cells in Focus review article).42:1753-6
  • Monif M., Powell K L, Reid CA, Williams DA (2004) Development of low-affinity, membrane-targeted Ca2+ sensors suitable for measuring presynaptic Ca2+. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. 31:885-889
  • Williams DA, Monif M, Richardson, K (2012). Compartmentalizing Genetically-Encoded Calcium Sensors.  Calcium Signalling Protocols. Series: Methods in Molecular Biology. Volume 937, 3rd edition, ISBN:978-1-62703-086-1
  • Monif M., Williams DA (2011). Neuroinflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroinflammation: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms and Management. Nova Science Publishers, 2011, Chapter 2,  ISBN: 978-1-61942-462-3