Brain researcher wins prestigious medal

World-leading research on the causes and treatments of disorders of the brain has won Professor Michael (Mike) Dragunow (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences) the Hercus Medal from the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Dragunow has made major contributions to our understanding of brain pharmacology and has developed drugs for brain disorders. He is based at the Centre for Brain Research, where he is researching the underlying biology of brain disorders, and working on developing treatments for disorders and cancers of the brain, using innovative methods of drug discovery.

Dragunow’s first breakthrough was in epilepsy research, showing for the first time the critical role of the neuromodulator adenosine in stopping seizures. He also investigated the importance of a brain protein called c-Fos that regulates gene expression and builds up following seizures.

He then broadened the scope of his research into an exploration of degeneration and regeneration in the brain, identifying new pathways that regulate cell death and those that are neuroprotective.

Dragunow discovered key biochemical mechanisms of memory formation, and molecular pathways of neurodegeneration and repair in Alzheimer's and Parkinsons, which resulted in development of new drugs to treat these diseases.

He pioneered the establishment of a world-leading research platform – the Hugh Green Biobank —which allows potential medications for brain disorders to be tested directly on human brain cells that have been generously donated by people for use in research.

This innovative approach, which has not been previously attempted, will accelerate the development of effective medications for brain disorders ranging from concussion to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, to brain cancers.

In 2019, Dragunow founded the Freemasons Neurosurgery Research Unit, which facilitates collaborative research partnerships between Auckland City Hospital and the Centre for Brain Research.

Dragunow has worked hard to promote awareness and understanding of brain disorders in the community, including hosting school visits to the Centre for Brain Research, especially with Māori students, and contributing to numerous hui with whānau, hapū, and iwi to develop culturally appropriate tikanga for working with human brain tissue.

Dragunow has also played a leading role in translating research findings from the lab into clinical trials in humans, and eventually to approved treatments. He has been a consultant to the biotechnology industry, working with organisations like Takeda Pharmaceuticals, NeuronZ Ltd, and Neuren Pharmaceuticals, and cofounding Neurovalida, an organisation which validates drug targets for biopharmaceutical companies.

He made major contributions to the initial discovery of trofinetide, which is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America as the very first effective treatment and hope for young women affected with the tragic brain disorder, Rett syndrome.

In awarding this medal, the selection committee noted that Dragunow is a highly innovative neuropharmacologist.

“Most remarkable is that his contributions have had such an impact in so many different and distinct areas of neuroscience.”

The committee also commented that he has inspired many students to take up successful careers in neuroscience and is described as a “generous and supportive” supervisor and mentor.

Dragunow has been awarded over $55 million in research grants, including many from the Health Research Council and the Marsden Fund.

He was elected by his peers to become a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 2000. In recognition of his outstanding research contributions in the health sciences, he was awarded the New Zealand Association of Scientists’ Research Medal (1996), the American Academy of Periodontology’s Clinical Research Award (2020), and the Gluckman Medal (2022).

On receiving this medal, Dragunow said, “I would like to thank the Royal Society for this amazing award, which I receive on behalf of my wonderful parents Lena and Genady, my amazing wife Sue and children Nick and Lydia, and the countless graduate students, post-docs, research technicians, neuroscience and clinical collaborators whose remarkable efforts made all this work possible.

“Finally, I would like the thank the generous brain tissue donors who contribute their tissue for research for the benefit of others – you are why I do what I do. My hope is that I can repay your generosity by helping develop effective treatments for brain disorders and cancers.”