Terrance G Johns
@terrancegjohns.bsky.social
Head of Oncogenic Signalling Laboratory, Telethon Kids: working to improve outcomes in brain cancer. Head of Research at Epigenes Australia: understanding human behavior. https://www.terrancejohns.com/
Two papers from a great collaboration. Our Epigenes–La Trobe partnership, working with colleagues worldwide, is revealing how intermittent fasting reshapes tissues from proteins to gene regulation. #calorierestriction
doi.org/10.7554/eLif...
doi.org/10.1093/pnas...
doi.org/10.7554/eLif...
doi.org/10.1093/pnas...
Client Challenge
doi.org
October 7, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Two papers from a great collaboration. Our Epigenes–La Trobe partnership, working with colleagues worldwide, is revealing how intermittent fasting reshapes tissues from proteins to gene regulation. #calorierestriction
doi.org/10.7554/eLif...
doi.org/10.1093/pnas...
doi.org/10.7554/eLif...
doi.org/10.1093/pnas...
We thought QC6352 and zavondemstat worked as KDM4 inhibitors. Our new glioblastoma study shows their antitumour activity is actually driven by DHODH inhibition. I contributed to the preclinical therapeutic studies. #HGG #KDM4 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
DHODH is the key target of the KDM4 inhibitor QC6352 in glioblastoma stem cells - Nature Chemical Biology
QC6352, originally developed as a KDM4 inhibitor, exerts its anticancer activity in glioblastoma models primarily through inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in de novo pyrimidine...
www.nature.com
October 6, 2026 at 11:58 PM
We thought QC6352 and zavondemstat worked as KDM4 inhibitors. Our new glioblastoma study shows their antitumour activity is actually driven by DHODH inhibition. I contributed to the preclinical therapeutic studies. #HGG #KDM4 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Had the pleasure of visiting Southwest University and Nanjing University in China to discuss exciting new collaborations around maternal behavior. The visit went exceptionally well, and I’m delighted that this research will be starting soon.
#MaternalBehavior #China #Neuroscience
#MaternalBehavior #China #Neuroscience
June 11, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Had the pleasure of visiting Southwest University and Nanjing University in China to discuss exciting new collaborations around maternal behavior. The visit went exceptionally well, and I’m delighted that this research will be starting soon.
#MaternalBehavior #China #Neuroscience
#MaternalBehavior #China #Neuroscience
A striking result from this study is Figure 6. Male offspring of calorie-restricted mothers show increased sexual behaviour and reduced aggression despite being fed normally themselves.
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#Epigenetics #Transgenerational #CalorieRestriction #Neuroscience
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#Epigenetics #Transgenerational #CalorieRestriction #Neuroscience
biorxiv.org
March 6, 2026 at 12:26 AM
A striking result from this study is Figure 6. Male offspring of calorie-restricted mothers show increased sexual behaviour and reduced aggression despite being fed normally themselves.
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#Epigenetics #Transgenerational #CalorieRestriction #Neuroscience
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#Epigenetics #Transgenerational #CalorieRestriction #Neuroscience
Maternal preconception calorie restriction reprograms behaviour in the next generation. Male offspring of female CR rats showed increased sexual behaviour and reduced aggression. These offspring were fed normally, suggesting epigenetic inheritance.
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
March 6, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Maternal preconception calorie restriction reprograms behaviour in the next generation. Male offspring of female CR rats showed increased sexual behaviour and reduced aggression. These offspring were fed normally, suggesting epigenetic inheritance.
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Planning the research for 2026 with myself, Jim Penman (CEO of Epigenes) and Garrie Arumugam, our major collaborator at La Trobe University. #calorierestriction #intermittentfasting
January 14, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Planning the research for 2026 with myself, Jim Penman (CEO of Epigenes) and Garrie Arumugam, our major collaborator at La Trobe University. #calorierestriction #intermittentfasting
New from our lab: More evidence that ion channels play a key role in high-grade glioma and represent promising therapeutic targets.
🔗 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🔗 academic.oup.com/neuro-oncolo...
#highgradeglioma #ionchannel #braincancer
🔗 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🔗 academic.oup.com/neuro-oncolo...
#highgradeglioma #ionchannel #braincancer
Pharmacological targeting and characterization of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels (VGSCs) expressed in the high-grade glioma microenvironment - BMC Cancer
BMC Cancer - High-grade glioma (HGG) cells reactivate neurodevelopmental programs regulated by ion channels to drive tumor progression. The activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) is...
link.springer.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM
New from our lab: More evidence that ion channels play a key role in high-grade glioma and represent promising therapeutic targets.
🔗 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🔗 academic.oup.com/neuro-oncolo...
#highgradeglioma #ionchannel #braincancer
🔗 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🔗 academic.oup.com/neuro-oncolo...
#highgradeglioma #ionchannel #braincancer
Much to learn about how calorie restriction (CR) reshapes organs. This new international study (with Epigenes Australia) shows how intermittent fasting (IF) alters the biochemistry of liver, muscle & brain, offering clues to CR’s mental health benefits. #IntermittentFasting doi.org/10.7554/eLif...
Uncovering Shared and Tissue-Specific Molecular Adaptations to Intermittent Fasting in Liver, Brain, and Muscle
doi.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Much to learn about how calorie restriction (CR) reshapes organs. This new international study (with Epigenes Australia) shows how intermittent fasting (IF) alters the biochemistry of liver, muscle & brain, offering clues to CR’s mental health benefits. #IntermittentFasting doi.org/10.7554/eLif...
Calorie restriction enhances brain health and extends lifespan; it may also help alleviate anxiety and depression. Our review explores the science behind this idea and how we might harness it to create new treatments. #calorierestriction #MentalHealth www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
Frontiers | Less is more: calorie restriction as a therapeutic for mental health disorders
Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders are prevalent mental health disorders that have debilitating health outcomes, and current treatment options ...
www.frontiersin.org
June 16, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Calorie restriction enhances brain health and extends lifespan; it may also help alleviate anxiety and depression. Our review explores the science behind this idea and how we might harness it to create new treatments. #calorierestriction #MentalHealth www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
After 4 years of groundwork, Epigenes has officially launched from our new labs at La Trobe University. Exciting times ahead as we advance new drugs that mimic the mental health benefits of calorie restriction #mentalhealth #calorierestriction #Epigenetics
April 29, 2025 at 2:28 AM
After 4 years of groundwork, Epigenes has officially launched from our new labs at La Trobe University. Exciting times ahead as we advance new drugs that mimic the mental health benefits of calorie restriction #mentalhealth #calorierestriction #Epigenetics
Please to share my first paper on calorie restriction (intermittent fasting; IF) with new collaborator Thirum Arumugam. We show that the metabolic benefits of IF can be inherited. www.ijbs.com/v21p1852.htm #calorierestriction #epigenetics #intermittentfasting
Impact of Parental Time-Restricted Feeding on Offspring Metabolic Phenotypic Traits
www.ijbs.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Please to share my first paper on calorie restriction (intermittent fasting; IF) with new collaborator Thirum Arumugam. We show that the metabolic benefits of IF can be inherited. www.ijbs.com/v21p1852.htm #calorierestriction #epigenetics #intermittentfasting
I’ve been thinking about creating a personal website for a while and decided it’s time! It highlights my brain cancer research alongside my behavioral studies. Excited to share my journey and new research directions! #epigenetics #braincancer #CalorieRestriction www.terrancejohns.com
Professor Terry Johns | Distinguished medical research in Brain Cancer & Epigenetics
Explore the groundbreaking work of Professor Terry Johns in the field of Brain Cancer & Epigenetics. Discover his distinguished contributions to medical research, offering new insights into understand...
www.terrancejohns.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I’ve been thinking about creating a personal website for a while and decided it’s time! It highlights my brain cancer research alongside my behavioral studies. Excited to share my journey and new research directions! #epigenetics #braincancer #CalorieRestriction www.terrancejohns.com
Me next to the polka dot pumpkin at the Yayoi Kusama exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. The 95 Japanese artist, Google her, she is unique. #YayoiKusama #NGV #Melbourne #Pumpkin
December 29, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Me next to the polka dot pumpkin at the Yayoi Kusama exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. The 95 Japanese artist, Google her, she is unique. #YayoiKusama #NGV #Melbourne #Pumpkin
An albino kangaroo at my golf course in Melbourne, Australia. A good example of a rare genetic event (1;100,000)
December 8, 2024 at 12:22 PM
An albino kangaroo at my golf course in Melbourne, Australia. A good example of a rare genetic event (1;100,000)
Calorie restriction benefits mental health. Trying to understand the epigenetic (methylation) changes to develop new therapies. Many genes in the hypothalamus/frontal cortex overlap but the methylation changes are opposite directions. Finding a “story” is a challenge.
December 3, 2024 at 11:13 AM
Calorie restriction benefits mental health. Trying to understand the epigenetic (methylation) changes to develop new therapies. Many genes in the hypothalamus/frontal cortex overlap but the methylation changes are opposite directions. Finding a “story” is a challenge.
Our most recent brain cancer paper is out via early publication. Using ion channel drugs to enhance therapies targeting DNA damage repair in adult and pediatric high-grade glioma. #braincancer #ionchannels #HGG #DIPG #DMG academic.oup.com/noa/advance-...
Ion channel modulator DPI-201-106 significantly enhances anti-tumour activity of DNA damage response inhibitors in glioblastoma
AbstractBackground. Glioblastoma, a lethal high-grade glioma, has not seen improvements in clinical outcomes in nearly 30 years. Ion channels are increasin
academic.oup.com
November 25, 2024 at 4:14 AM
Our most recent brain cancer paper is out via early publication. Using ion channel drugs to enhance therapies targeting DNA damage repair in adult and pediatric high-grade glioma. #braincancer #ionchannels #HGG #DIPG #DMG academic.oup.com/noa/advance-...
Our manuscript describing how epigenetics changes the behavior of lemmings and voles is now published. It may provide some interesting insights into how stress impacts human behavior. doi.org/10.1002/ece3... #lemmings #behavior #epigenetics
Lemming and Vole Cycles: A New Intrinsic Model
It is 100 years since the first paper described the recurring nature of Arctic population cycles, yet the mechanistic drivers of these are still not well understood. This paper challenges researchers....
doi.org
November 25, 2024 at 4:11 AM
Our manuscript describing how epigenetics changes the behavior of lemmings and voles is now published. It may provide some interesting insights into how stress impacts human behavior. doi.org/10.1002/ece3... #lemmings #behavior #epigenetics