School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences Staff
![Dr Helen Fitzsimons staff profile picture](/massey/fms/expertise/user_images/profile_051463_1B10BC59-1EA5-4E8F-821AFC734307B7CF.jpg)
Contact details +6469517712
Dr Helen Fitzsimons BSc, MSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology
Doctoral Supervisor School of Food Technology and Natural SciencesI am a molecular geneticist with a background in molecular biology, genetics and neuroscience. My current research program is focused on the molecular processes that are required for neuronal development and formation & storage of memory, and how their disruption can lead to neurological disease. My teaching contributions include DNA structure and function, gene expression and developmental genetics within the BSc program.
Professional
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science - Massey University (1996)
- Master of Science - Massey University (1998)
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Auckland (2003)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
Research Expertise
Research Interests
My current research program is focused on the molecular processes that are required for neuronal development and formation and storage of memory, and how their disruption can lead to neurological disease. We examine memory processes in neurons at the genetic level by using genetic tools in combination with biochemical, anatomical and behavioural assays to determine how they function in normal memory. In order to carry out these studies we use the fruit fly Drosophila as a model. Drosophila has a small yet highly organised brain and is an ideal model for neuroscientific discovery as it provides the ability to combine genetic, biochemical and behavioural analyses in the same in vivo system.
We are currently investigating the histone deacetylase HDAC4, which is associated with both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. A common symptom among these disorders is impaired cognitive function and, we have previously shown that HDAC4 plays a critical role in the regulation of long-term memory. HDAC4 is regulated via nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and is predominantly non-nuclear, localising to both axons and dendrites of neurons.We are examining the molecular roles of HDAC4 in the nucleus and cytoplasmic and how they contribute to the regulation of processes that promote and/or inhibit memory formation.
Thematics
Health and Well-being
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Biological Sciences (060000):
Central Nervous System (110903):
Epigenetics (incl. Genome Methylation and Epigenomics) (060404):
Genetics (060400):
Medical And Health Sciences (110000):
Neurogenetics (060410):
Neurosciences (110900)
Research Projects
Current Projects
Project Title: PIN1ng down heterochromatin to prevent cellular ageing
Date Range: 2022 - 2024
Funding Body: Health Research Council of New Zealand
Project Team:
- Dr Tracy Hale - Project Leader
- Dr Helen Fitzsimons - Team Member
- Prof Bill Williams - Team Member
Project Title: A sticky question: Does intranuclear aggregation of HDAC4 promote neuronal dysfunction?
Date Range: 2022 - 2025
Funding Body: Royal Society of New Zealand
Project Team:
- Dr Helen Fitzsimons - Project Leader
- A/Pro Andrew Sutherland-Smith - Team Member
- Mr Trevor Loo - Team Member
Completed Projects
Project Title: A new role for HDAC4 in neuronal morphogensis and memory
Date Range: 2018 - 2022
Funding Body: Royal Society of New Zealand
Project Team:
- Dr Helen Fitzsimons - Project Leader
Project Title: Genetic dissection of long-term memory formation
Date Range: 2013 - 2013
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- Dr Helen Fitzsimons - Project Leader
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H., Hale, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Journal article]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
IP
[Patent]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Patent]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Fitzsimons, H.
Teaching and Supervision
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
Position | Current | Completed |
---|---|---|
Main Supervisor | 0 | 6 |
Co-supervisor | 2 | 2 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Co-supervisor of:
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Raka Mitra
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Exploring the molecular phenotype of Infantile Haemangioma utilising 3D organoid model: Implications for therapeutics -
Sophie Burling
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Innervated "muscle-on-a-chip" for diagnostics and research of neuromuscular disorders
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
2024
-
Sarah Wilson
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Characterising CG5846 (Peep) in Drosophila melanogaster neural function -
2024
-
Hannah Hawley
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Investigating HDAC4 aggregation in a Drosophila model of neuronal development -
2022
-
Wei Jun Tan
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Investigating the role of HDAC4 in Drosophila neuronal function -
2019
-
Patrick Main
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Investigating the role of HDAC4 subcellular distribution in Drosophila development and memory -
2019
-
Ngonidzashe Faya
-
Doctor of Philosophy
The reproductive biology and venom system of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis - view more...
-
2017
-
Silvia Schwartz
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Investigating the role of Histone Deacetylase HDAC4 in long-term memory formation - view less...
Co-supervisor of:
-
2017
-
Sarah Bond
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Histone H1 phosphorylation during mitosis -
2016
-
Kimberly Green
-
Doctor of Philosophy
A conserved signalling network regulates Epichloe festucae cell-cell fusion and mutualistic symbiotic interaction betwee E.festucae and Lolium perenne
Media and Links
Media
-
27 Feb 2014 - Radio
Our changing world: Fruit flies and memory
I was interviewed for a story on my research on memory formation on the Radio New Zealand's "Our Changing World" programme
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Last updated on Thursday 22 August 2024