Genetic Epidemiology Research
Professor Kōks leads Genetic Epidemiology Research at the Perron Institute and Murdoch University, and is developing genomics implementation in clinical studies for neurodegenerative diseases. His main research goal is to use genomic technologies in longitudinal studies as predictors for neurodegenerative outcomes in diseases such as Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease.
Another area of interest is to find shared genetic markers between neurodegenerative diseases to reveal the common pathogenetic mechanisms. In addition, the group is also involved in osteosarcoma and osteoarthritis research using genomic tools to help classify malignancies or to predict late complications after total arthroplasty.
Professor Sulev Kōks from the University of Tartu, Estonia commenced his appointment at the Perron Institute mid 2018 in a collaborative arrangement between the institute and Murdoch University.
His previous work has involved studies of the genetics of mood disorders, translational research, genetics of rare diseases and genetic mechanisms of common diseases. He has also used transgenic technology to model common diseases and has developed a model for Wolfram syndrome, demonstrating the mechanisms involved in cellular degeneration. Wolfram syndrome is an inherited, rare disease that affects many of the body’s systems and is characterised by early onset diabetes and a gradual loss of vision and hearing.
Perron Research News
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Research Team
Professor Sulev Kōks
Dr Abigail Pfaff
Research Team Achievements
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Perron Institute