Research
Our mission is to better understand and treat disorders of the brain and mind. To achieve this, we conduct world-class research and partner across academia, industry and government to ensure our work has impact.
At the Bowen Lab we use gold-standard preclinical models, cutting edge neuroscience techniques, and machine learning to discover and develop novel therapeutic targets and pharmacological treatments for disorders of the brain and mind. We are particularly interested in small molecule therapeutics for substance use disorders and disorders that feature social impairments as a core symptom. We are driven by impact and have a strong track record of commercialisation and taking novel compounds from discovery stage research into the clinic.​
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Our Approach
At the Bowen Lab we take both a target-based and phenotypic-based approach to discovering and developing novel therapeutic targets and compounds.
We study the effects of modulating disease relevant molecular targets on disease relevant neural pathways and complex behaviours
We also unravel the neural and molecular mechanisms that underly manipulations that affect complex behaviours.
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Underpinning our research program are capabilities in a range of standard and advanced techniques.
These include in vivo imaging, microscopy, chemogenetics, fibre photometry, optogenetics, transgenic disease models, wireless telemetry, multiple drug delivery methods (p.o., i.p., i.v., intracranial, sustained release), a wide range of rat and mouse behavioural assays setup for high throughput, and automated analysis of complex rodent behaviour.
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Research Focus Areas
ADDICTION
A major focus in The Bowen Lab is identifying novel therapeutic targets and novel small molecule therapeutics for substance use disorders.
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We have established models for alcohol and intravenous drug self-administration, reinstatement of drug seeking, drug:social choice, opioid withdrawal, and conditioned place preference and aversion.
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Some of our major programs and projects in this space are briefly outlined below.
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A novel clinical stage small molecule for opioid use disorder
In partnership with Kinoxis Therapeutics and the US NIH/NIDA, The Bowen Lab has played a key role in the development of KNX100, a novel small molecule being developed for the mitigation of opioid withdrawal symptoms that is now the only novel compound in clinical trials for opioid use disorder.
Novel small molecule therapeutics for stimulant use disorder
In partnership with Kinoxis Therapeutics, The Bowen Lab is exploring the potential for KNX100 and novel small molecule biased partial agonists of the oxytocin receptor to treat stimulant use disorder.
Novel therapeutics for alcohol use disorder
In partnership with Kinoxis Therapeutics and the US NIH/NIAAA, The Bowen Lab is exploring the potential of drugs targeting the oxytocin system to treat alcohol use disorder. In other work, we are assessing the efficacy and mechanism(s) of action of cannabinoid compounds in models of binge drinking.
SOCIAL IMPAIRMENTS
Another major focus in The Bowen Lab is identifying novel therapeutic targets and small molecule therapeutics for treating social impairments in disorders of the brain and mind.
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Social impairments are a major and debilitating symptom of a wide range of disorders. This includes social anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder, addiction, mood disorders, and alzheimer's and dementia. Despite this, there are currently no approved therapeutics that specifically and directly target social impairments in these disorders.
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We utilise: genetic, idiopathic, and environmental models of autism spectrum disorder; cutting-edge behavioural economics modelling of social motivation; models of social fear and anxiety; and models of pathological impulsive aggression.
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Some of our major programs and projects in this space are briefly outlined below.
Novel targets and therapeutics for social anxiety and avoidance
Social anxiety and avoidance are hallmark features of a range of disorders, including social anxiety disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders. We are working on better understanding the neurobiology of social avoidance using rodent models, and, in collaboration with Kinoxis Therapeutics, we are assessing the ability of novel small molecule biased partial agonists of the oxytocin receptor to reduce social avoidance in rodent models.
More information coming soon...
Novel targets and therapeutics for agitation and aggression
Agitation and aggression are prevalent symptoms of a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions. For instance, the prevalence of agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's disease is 30 - 50%, and as high as 80% amongst patients in nursing homes. Moreover, aggression, is a primary reason for patients being moved into specialised care facilities. Despite this, there are currently no approved medications for managing agitation and aggression in dementia and many other disorders. As such we are assessing novel therapeutic targets and compounds for treating agitation and aggression.
More information coming soon...
Novel therapeutics for neurodevelopmental disorders
A recently launched major program of work will assess the utility of novel small molecule biased partial agonists and positive allosteric modulators of the oxytocin receptor for treating social deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders. We are in the process of establishing several murine models of monogenetic and environmental autism spectrum disorder which will be used for our screening program. In an Australian NHMRC funded research program we are exploring extrasynaptic GABA-A receptors as targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders.
More information coming soon...
Exploring the entanglement of sleep and sociability
Many disorders that feature social impairments also feature sleep disturbances as a major symptom. Limited evidence suggests poor sleep impairs social motivation and, in contrast, that activation of social pathways in the brain promotes wakefulness. In this program we are assessing the effect of the social neuropeptide oxytocin on sleep-wake behaviour and using a novel behavioural economics social operant paradigm to assess the impact of sleep deprivation on social motivation and the oxytocin system.
More information coming soon...
