My Expertise
Basic scientific research into the biology of ageing and age related disorders, with a focus on cell metabolism and the metabolic cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Animal Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Protein Targeting and Signal Transduction, Cell Metabolism, ReproductionSEO tags
Biography
The Laboratory for Ageing Research is works on fundamental mechanisms and interventions that could maintain healthy ageing. These have immediate applications in other conditions, including slowing the decline in fertility with age, preventing the long-term adverse effects of chemotherapy treatment, and understanding why older people are so much more susceptible to coronavirus infection.
The following projects and more are available for study...view more
The Laboratory for Ageing Research is works on fundamental mechanisms and interventions that could maintain healthy ageing. These have immediate applications in other conditions, including slowing the decline in fertility with age, preventing the long-term adverse effects of chemotherapy treatment, and understanding why older people are so much more susceptible to coronavirus infection.
The following projects and more are available for study at both the honours and PhD level...
- New treatments to maintain female fertility during biological ageing and following chemotherapy treatment
- Role of the pentose phosphate pathway and the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in reproductive ageing
- DNA transposons in genome instability and the regulation of lifespan
- New treatments to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve long-term health in cancer survivors
- Studies of the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)
- Age-related changes in innate immunity and metabolism during coronavirus infection
Our lab uses molecular biology, animal physiology, metabolomics and bioinformatics to address our questions. We have maintained consistent NHMRC funding since 2015 and are always interested in passionate new lab members.
My Grants
"Media formulations to enhance embryo formation in assisted reproduction": NHMRC Development Grant (2021-2023)
“Translating new advances in oncofertility”: NHMRC Project Grant APP1139763, (2018-2021).
“Preserving ovarian function during chemotherapy and old age”: NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (RD Wright Biomedical Fellowship) APP1127821 (2017-2020)
“Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) raising agents for improving oocyte quality”: NHMRC Development Grant APP1122484 (2017-2019)
“Female reproductive health preservation by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and Sirtuin2 (SIRT2)”: NHMRC Project Grant APP1103689 (2016-2018)
“New drugs to prevent premature ageing and side effects of chemotherapy”: NHMRC Development Grant APP1093643 (2015-2017)
“Calorie restriction mimetics for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma”: Early Career Fellowship, Cancer Institute NSW (2014-2016).
My Qualifications
BSc (Hons I) (Sydney), PhD (UNSW)
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
Biology of ageing
Age-related infertility
Cell metabolism
NAD+ biochemistry
Currently supervising
My Engagement
The Conversation
Wu, LE (2017). The search to extend lifespan is gaining ground, but can we truly reverse the biology of ageing? Selected for The Conversation Yearbook, "50 Standout Articles from Australia's Top Thinkers"
Wu LE, Mikolaizak AS (2017). I've always wondered - does anyone my age have a chance of living for centuries?
Collins C, Wu LE (2016). Research check - can eating aged cheese help you age well?
Articles, interviews
ABC News: Long-term use of chromium supplements could cause cancer
My Teaching
BABS2011 - Current Trends in Biotechnology
BIOC3271 - Molecular Cell Biology II
PHAR2011 - Introductory Pharmacology and Toxicology
PHAR9101 - Introduction to the Therapeutics Industry
Location
Publications
ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1599-7574