University of Tasmania homepage
Photo of Doctor Kalina Makowiecki

Doctor

Kalina Makowiecki

(She/ her)

Research Fellow

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Orcid identifier0000-0003-4550-3819
  • Research Fellow
    Menzies Institute for Medical Research

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Kalina Makowiecki's research investigates how neuron activity and glia interact in regulating plasticity and overall neural network activity in the mammalian brain. She is particularly interested in how neurons and glial signaling modulate synaptic connections and information processing in neural circuits, in healthy and in disease contexts. To address this, her work uses various techniques, including in vivo two-photon imaging, electrophysiology and non-invasive brain stimulation.

PROJECTS

  • Showing page 1 out of 1
GRANT
Understanding the role of insulin in the healthy and type 2 diabetic brain
Diabetes Australia Research Program1 Jan 2023 - 30 Sep 2024
People funded by this grant: Premilovac D, Sutherland B, Cullen C, Foster C
Project Total: $69,955; The aim of this project is to determine whether insulin has vascular and metabolic effects in specific regions of the brain and whether these effects are lost with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This is pre-clinical work that will be performed in experimental rodents but the outcomes of the work will have wide relevance. Funded by: Diabetes Australia Research Program - Grant ($69,955); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning
Australian Research Council23 Feb 2022 - 22 Feb 2025
People funded by this grant: Young K, Cullen C, Jolivet R, Blackburn N
Project Total: $428,000; In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be used to: develop interventions that improve learning and educational outcomes; counteract age-related memory decline and enable longer work force participation; develop strategies to circumvent the memory loss caused by brain diseases, or improve the design of computer hardware. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($428,000); University of Tasmania ($110,077).
GRANT
Myelin: wrapping up neural network function and behaviour
National Health & Medical Research Council1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2025
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Makowiecki K, Favre-Bulle I
Project Total: $802,257; Identifying the biological causes of mental health disorders is critical for the development of effective treatment or prevention strategies. Neurons communicate via electrical signalling and the precise timing of this signalling is vital for appropriate information processing. Recent work by our team has shown that myelinating oligodendrocytes adapt to dynamically regulate action potential conduction speed, indicating that changes in myelin could have robust impacts on information processing in the brain. Altered myelin content in the brain has been linked to numerous neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These disorders also exhibit characteristic changes in functional network connectivity and information processing in the brain, suggesting that aberrant myelination may be a key underlying feature of maladaptive information processing and neurobehavioural symptom expression in these disorders. Our team will use innovative transgenic mouse and zebrafish models to determine how developmental myelination and myelin plasticity regulate information processing in the brain and contribute to the development of phenotypic behaviours associated with mental illness. Understanding the role of myelin in regulating brain function and behaviour will provide mechanistic insight into the aetiology of idiopathic mental health symptoms and could identify a new therapeutic target for their treatment. Funded by: National Health & Medical Research Council - Grant-Ideas; University of Queensland; University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Clinical safety assessment of rTMS application for the treatment of MS
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation1 Jan 2019 - 30 Apr 2021
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Young K, Taylor B, Hinder M
Project Total: $16,000; Oligodendrocytes are brain cells that die in MS, but non-invasive brain stimulation (rTMS) can promote their generation in preclinical models of disease. This project will take an important role in the clinical translation of this treatment and determine whether this type of stimulation can be safely delivered to people with MS. Funded by: Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation - Grant-Project ($16,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
The pathological effects of Alzheimer's disease on axons
Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd1 Mar 2018 - 4 Jun 2022
People funded by this grant: Young K, Blizzard C, Cullen C, Sutherland B
Project Total: $90,000; Proposed PhD project investigating the role of amyoloid upon axonal dystrophies in the progression of Alzheimer's disease Funded by: Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd - Grant-Scholarship ($90,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Can cognitive training promote remyelination
Multiple Sclerosis Australia1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
People funded by this grant: Cullen C
Project Total: $25,000; Our research aims to identify physiological stimuli that can promote oligodendrocyte addition and augment the repair of lost or damaged myelin in the brain. We hope to provide vital proof of concept data demonstrating that different types of cognitive training can enhance oligodendrocyte production in the brain, and that through this process can expedite myelin repair within a demyelinated lesion. Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Grant-Incubator ($25,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Investigating ferroptosis as a novel mechanism of oligodendrocyte death.
Brain Foundation1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Young K, Sutherland B
Project Total: $30,000; This project aims to understand the mode of cell death induced by a stroke, and determine the capacity for already developed therapeutics to rescue these cells. By saving oligodendrocytes from death after stroke, we aim to reduce the lesion size, but also keep these critical cells in place to support nerve cell survival and function. Funded by: Brain Foundation - Grant-Research ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Using non-invasive magnetic stimulation to promote remyelination
National Health & Medical Research Council1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2021
People funded by this grant: Young K, Rodger J, Cullen C
Project Total: $664,868; In patients with multiple sclerosis, brain insulation is lost from nerves. This leads to permanent and progressive disability. We have identified a non-invasive method of magnetic stimulation, and have shown that it increases the number of new insulating cells naturally added to the brain. In this study we will determine the extent to which our new treatment can induce insulation replacement to nerves in models of multiple sclerosis. Funded by: National Health & Medical Research Council - Grant-Project ($664,868); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Enhancing activity to drive myelin repair in preclinical models of multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis Australia1 Jan 2017 - 31 Dec 2019
People funded by this grant: Young K, Cullen C, Rodger J
Project Total: $170,000; This project examines the ability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to promote remyelination in two preclinical models of multiple sclerosis. Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Grant-Project ($170,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
Preclinical trial of rTMS in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis Australia1 Jan 2016 - 31 Dec 2018
People funded by this grant: Cullen C, Young K
Project Total: $207,000; This project will contribute new knowledge about the role of oligodendrocyte in MS pathogenesis and the importance of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells as a therapeutic target in the treatment of MS Funded by: Multiple Sclerosis Australia - Fellowship-Postdoctoral ($207,000); University of Tasmania.
GRANT
2015 International Society of Neurochemistry, Myelin Satellite Meeting
University of Tasmania1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
People funded by this grant: Cullen C
Project Total: $1,500; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Conference Support Scheme; University of Tasmania ($1,500).
GRANT
non-invasively promote myelination in vivo
University of Tasmania1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
People funded by this grant: Cullen C
Project Total: $12,866; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Research Enhancement (REGS); University of Tasmania ($12,866).