Behavioural Neuroscience

^{© Anne Graham (NeuRA)}

Biography

Tim Karl graduated from the Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany) in 2003 with a PhD in Zoology (Behavioural Neuroscience). Until 2008, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research evaluating the validity of genetic mouse models for brain disorders and also led research projects for the Schizophrenia Research Institute (SRI). In 2008, Tim Karl established his own research team at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) investigating gene-environment interactions in brain disorders. Since 2016, he is Professor for Behavioural Neuroscience at Western Sydney University (WSU).

Research

The Karl laboratory carries out preclinical research into the aetiology and therapy of brain disorders including schizophrenia, dementia, motor neuron disease, and substance use disorder. One of Tim Karl’s research aims is to increase our understanding of gene-environment interactions in for example schizophrenia and how environmental factors (e.g. lifestyle ‘choices’ such as nutrition, drug abuse, exercise) impact on the development and progression of these disorders. The Karl team considers both detrimental and potential beneficial effects of these factors, which is highly relevant for future preventative as well as therapeutic strategies. Tim Karl also investigates the detrimental and potentially beneficial properties of cannabis constituents and plant extracts on brain diseases with a particular focus on the non-toxic phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). Finally, Tim's research aims to enhance the validity of mouse models and the well-being of test animals in medical research by, for example, by providing more stimulating housing conditions and utilising more natural test system paradigms. His commitment to animal welfare is further evidenced by his significant roles on the WSU Animal Care and Ethics Committee and the Animal Research Review Panel (NSW Department of Primary Industries).

Professor Karl’s research has attracted funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, FightMND, Dementia Australia, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (USA), the German Research Foundation as well as industry partners.

Current Major Projects

A novel cannabis formulation therapeutic strategy for early-stage Alzheimers' disease

Collaborative partners: Genevieve Steiner-Lim (WSU)

Funding: Australian Natural Therapeutics Group Pty Ltd

Modulating actin dynamics in ALS/MND as a novel therapeutic approach in ALS

Collaborative partners: Julie Atkin (Macquarie University, administering institute)

Funding: FightMND

Healthy Ageing - an interdisciplinary network approach for early diagnosis and new therapeutic avenues

Main Collaborative partners: Michael O'Connor, Erika Gyengesi, Ritesh Raju, Genevieve Steiner-Lim (all WSU)

Funding: Ainsworth Medical Research Innovation Fund

Developing novel glutamate-based strategies to normalize dopamine dysregulation during inflammation

Collaborative partners: Rose Chesworth Vieyra (WSU), Cyndi Shannon Weickert (NeurRA), Kelly Newell (University of Wollongong)

Funding: NSW Health

Heat shock as a low-cost therapy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Collaborative partners: Rossana Rosa Porto (WSU)

Funding: Dementia Australia - Project Grant

Publications

View Tim Karl's profile on Orchid.org (opens in a new window)

View Tim Karl's profile on Google Scholar (opens in a new window)