Michael Lardelli

Associate Professor Michael Lardelli

Associate Professor

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


We exploit advanced 'omics technologies (e.g. trancriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to investigate the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease using zebrafish models of mutations causing the disease. Our main focus is the gene PRESENILIN 1 in which most such mutations occur.

Recently our research has expanded into investigation of a form of childhood dementia, Sanfilippo syndrome, as we examine commonalities between it and Alzheimer's disease.

Research projects in our laboratory commonly combine molecular biology with zebrafish genome manipulation and behavioural analysis. Bioinformatics analysis is conducted in collaboration with Karissa Barthelson.

In 2023 Michael Lardelli has taken over responsibility for the University of Adelaide's Drosophila melanogaster ("fruit fly") facility. Consequently, research into Alzheimer's disease and Sanfilippo syndrome has also begun using this organism.

We receive funding from various sources including the NHMRC and private individuals.

Michael Lardelli teaches at all levels of genetics but specialising in developmental genetics, genetic manipulation of model organisms, and the genetics of Alzheimers' disease.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor Investigating Early Molecular Drivers of Neurodegeneration by Modelling Parkinson's Disease in Zebrafish Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Angel Grace Allen
    2022 Principal Supervisor Investigating Alzheimer's disease and MPS III mutant gene using Zebrafish and Drosophila genetic models Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Kaijing Xu
    2021 Principal Supervisor Exogenous Ketogenic Therapy to Inhibit the Symptoms Caused by BACE1 in Drosophila and Protect Mitochondria Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Hao Huang
    2020 Principal Supervisor Bioinformatics analyses of familial Alzheimer's disease mutation models in zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lachlan Warren William Baer
    2020 Principal Supervisor Molecular and bioinformatic studies of Alzheimer's and MPS III disease-linked genes in Zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Ewan Gerken
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Transcriptome Analysis of Zebrafish Genetic Models to Reveal Early Molecular Drivers of Alzheimer's Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Nhi Hin
    2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Investigating Alzheimer’s disease using zebrafish genetic models Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yang Dong
    2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Investigating the effects of mutations causative for early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease using zebrafish as a model organism Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Karissa Barthelson
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Identifying the pathological changes caused by familial Alzheimer’s disease-like mutations in zebrafish psen2 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Haowei Jiang
    2014 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Investigations of y-secretase substrates Amyloid precursor protein and p75 neurotrophin receptor in zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Tanya Jayne
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor An Investigation of the Role of CreB Deubiquitinating Enzyme in the Regulation of Carbon Metabolism in Aspergillus nidulans Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Md Ashiqul Alam
    2011 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Analysing the Biological Function of PS2V: An Aberrant Splicing Phenomenon or Evolutionarily Conserved Mechanism in Alzheimer's Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Seyyed Hani Moussavi Nik
    2011 - 2015 Principal Supervisor ANALYSING THE ROLE OF AUTOPHAGY IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PATHOGENESIS USING THE ZEBRAFISH MODEL SYSTEM Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Swamynathan Ganesan
    2011 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Analysis of the Subcellular Localization of Proteins Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anne Hwee Ling Lim
    2010 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Characterization of the zebrafish Orthologue of Klotho Master of Science Master Full Time Mr Yuya Sugano
    2009 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Function and Evolution of the piRNA Pathway in the Amniote Gonad and Human Ovarian Cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Shu Ly Lim
    2009 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Molecular Responses to Low Oxygen Levels/Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Master of Science Master Full Time Dr Seyyed Hani Moussavi Nik
    2008 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Identification and Analysis of the Two Tau Paralogues in Zebrafish Master of Science Master Full Time Miss Mengqi Chen
    2008 - 2013 Principal Supervisor The analysis of Presenilin processing and activity with a focus on its implications for Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis using Danio Rerio as a model organism Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lachlan James Wilson
    2008 - 2011 Co-Supervisor From Model Organism to Industrial Workhorse Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Jai Denton
    2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Investigation of RNA-Mediated Pathogenic Pathways in a Drosophila Model of Expanded Repeat Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Clare van Eyk
    2006 - 2011 Co-Supervisor Tyrosine Phosphatase Pez: A Novel Regulator of TGFß Signalling, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Protein Secretion in Development and Cancer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Leila Belle
    2005 - 2008 Principal Supervisor Analysis of Genes Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis Using Danio Rerio as a Model Organism Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Morgan Newman
    2004 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Huntingtin Function During Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tanya Henshall
    2003 - 2008 Co-Supervisor The Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Drosophila Wwox Protein Function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alexander Colella
    2003 - 2008 Principal Supervisor Zebrafish as a Model of Genetic Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Ben Tucker
    2002 - 2007 Co-Supervisor Investigating the Role of Huntingtin in Development and Disease using the Zebrafish Model Organism Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Amanda Lumsden
    2001 - 2011 Principal Supervisor An Investigation into the Development and Patterning of Dorsal Longitudinal Ascending Interneurons in Danio Rerio Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Simon Wells
    2000 - 2004 Principal Supervisor Alzheimer's disease genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Casper Groth
    1999 - 2003 Principal Supervisor Development of a Transgenic Strategy for Facilitated Modifier Mutation Screening in Zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Esther Camp-Dotlic
    1998 - 2004 Principal Supervisor Development and application of novel cloning strategies for analysis of genes controlling embryo development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Richard Tamme
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83133212
  • Email: michael.lardelli@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83137534
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Molecular Life Sciences, floor First Floor
  • Room: 125
  • Org Unit: Molecular and Biomedical Science

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