Dr Grant is the author of The Physiological Action of Picolinic Acid in the Human Brain and Effects of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites on Intracellular NAD+ Synthesis and Cell Death in Human Primary Astrocytes and Neurons which were recently published in International Journal of Tryptophan Research.

The Editor in Chief of International Journal of Tryptophan Research recently issued a call for papers.

Please describe your experience with Libertas Academica:

Excellent turnaround time. Access to very relevant readership

What is the primary focus of your research?

KP metabolism and it role in NAD+ synthesis. NAD+ metabolism and its role in health and disease, particularly in the central nervous system.

What are the most exciting developments arising from current research in your area?

We have recently shown that NAD+ levels decrease in the brain and other tissue during the aging process, in line with increased oxidative stress and DNA damage. However when NAD+ synthesis is enhanced cells of the CNS and skin appear more resilient to oxidative stress. This has significant relevance to aging and degenerative disease.

Who are your main collaborators? Please describe your work with them.

Dr Guillemin (University of NSW, Sydney Australia) has been a long standing collaborator on the molecular characterization of the kynurenine pathway in various cell types.

Prof Tailoi Chan ling (University of Sydney, Australia), has more recently contributed significantly to work in our aged animals.

Prof Manohar Garg (University of Newcastle, Australia), is also working with us on characterization of oxidative stress in the central nervous system.

How did you come to be working in your research area?

KP metabolism and NAD+ synthesis have been a significant research interest since doing a brief sabbatical at James Cook university a number of years ago with Prof Vimal Kapoor (now at University of Western Australia). Dr Kapoor was an excellent motivator and our interesting discussions on the topic helped to create a life long interest.

What articles and/or books have you published recently?

Braidy N, Grant R, Adams S, Guillemin G. Neuroprotective Effects of Naturally Occurring Polyphenols on Quinolinic Acid-Induced Excitotoxicity in Human Neurons. FEBS J. 277(2):368-82. 2010.

Yiquan Chen, Roger Stankovic, Karen Cullen, Vincent Meininger, Brett Garner, Sarah Coggan, Ross Grant, Bruce J. Brew, and Gilles J. Guillemin The Kynurenine Pathway and Inflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotox Res. 2009 Nov 18.

Brady N, Grant R, Guillemin G. Mechanism for Quinolinic Acid Cytotoxicity in Human Astrocytes and Neurons. Neurotox Res 16(1):77-86 2009.

Grant RS Ψ, Coggan S*, Smythe GA. The Physiological action of Picolinic Acid in the Human Brain. (invited Review). Int. J. Tryp. Res. 2:71-79 2009.

Braidy N, Grant R, Brew BJ, Adams S, Jayasena T, Guillemin G. Effects of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites on Intracellular NAD+ synthesis and Cell Death in Human Primary Astrocytes and Neurons. Int J. Tryp. Res.

Coggan S, Smythe G, Bilgin A, Grant R Ψ. Age and Circadian Influences on Picolinic acid concentrations in human Cerebrospinal Fluid. J. Neurochem. 108:1220-1225 2009.

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