RACE AGAINST DEMENTIA FELLOW
University of Sydney
Dr Simon Maksour is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Sydney. His research utilises stem cells from people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases to grow neural cells in a dish to better understand the causes of disease and develop new therapies.
Simon received the Race Against Dementia and Dementia Research Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship in 2025 for his project targeting the brain’s immune cells to boost the brain’s defences against Alzheimer’s Disease.
SIMON’S RESEARCH
Simon’s research is exploring a new method for treating Alzheimer’s disease by targeting microglia. These cells play a crucial role in removing toxic proteins and maintaining brain health, but when they dysfunction, they can contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. His project aims to use adeno-associated virus vectors – a genetic delivery system – to send specific instructions to microglia, helping them return to a healthy state. Simon will use brain cell models and mice with human-like Alzheimer’s symptoms to test this new method.
This pioneering approach could pave the way for a revolutionary treatment that enhances brain health and slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the research may open new avenues for treating other neurodegenerative disorders.
