Mark has international standing in glycoscience, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, particularly in the area of anti-infective drug discovery. His research program focuses on the discovery of novel anti-microbial (anti-bacterial, -parasitic, -viral) drugs, including anti-influenza drugs, anti-parainfluenza and anti-cancer drugs primarily based on carbohydrate-related pathways.

von Itzstein group bio

Professor von Itzstein and his group have research interests in: the chemical biology of carbohydrates and proteins that recognise them; enzymology; organic synthesis and reagent discovery; biocatalysis, including chemoenzymatic synthesis of biologically active molecules; structural biology; structure-informed drug and vaccine discovery; and computational biology. Major translational breakthroughs recently made by the group include the discovery of potent anti-parainfluenza and anti-influenza drug-like molecules and the synthesis of an anti-sepsis drug candidate, currently in human clinical trials.

Michael has international standing in infectious diseases research with a focus on glycoscience, genetics, epigenetics and vaccine development, particularly in pathogenic bacteria. His current research is investigating the molecular basis for interactions between a range of pathogens and the human host and the application of this data to develop strategies for diagnostics, prevention and treatment of disease.

Jennings group bio

The Jennings Group work on bacterial pathogens that cause a wide spectrum of diseases. The group use glycoscience tools such as glycan arrays, genetic and genomic approaches, expression profile analysis using proteomics and RNA seq, molecular modelling, NMR structural biology, and biochemical studies to tackle questions on the glycoscience, genetics, epigenetics, secretion, vaccine and drug development in these important human pathogens.

Johnson has a strong interest in the process of virus formation, and their impacts on virus entry and function, particularly for HIV. Johnson has a broad research portfolio in HIV. Most notably, his team pioneered the production of full-length recombinant HIV Gag for biochemical and biophysical analyses of HIV assembly and described a pre-entry priming process for HIV.

Mak group bio

Professor Mak and his group have research interests in assembly of entry and assembly of HIV. With a goal to fill the knowledge gaps in these areas, and to explore the translational potential of their findings, they tackle some of the most critical issues in HIV, including: establishing an efficacious HIV vaccine, developing novel antivirals, and exploring practical preventive options for women.

Sue has an international reputation in the rapidly developing field of medicinal inorganic chemistry. In particular, the development of gold-based therapeutic agents and the application of NMR-based methods to study the speciation and biomolecular interactions of metal-based drugs. Her cutting-edge research in bioinorganic glycan chemistry has borne the new field of Metalloglycomics, which is demonstrating the significance of coordination compound-carbohydrate interactions in multiple applications.

Berners-Price group bio

Professor Berners-Price’s and her group are primarily focussed on medicinal inorganic chemistry. Particularly, the development of gold-based therapeutics (anti-cancer, anti-malarial) and biomolecular interactions of platinum anti-cancer drugs. Advancing the emerging research area of Metalloglycomics, the group conducts anticancer and antiviral drug discovery based on a molecular-level understanding of binding between heparan sulfate and metal-based compounds.

Associate Professor Haselhorst is a former Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and ARC Future Fellow and has international standing in structural glycoscience and NMR spectroscopy. In particular, he has pioneered NMR spectroscopy techniques to elucidate interactions between glycan-based cell receptors and viruses, virus-like particles and intact cells. Additionally, recent research includes the development of intelligent nanomaterials as targeted drug delivery systems and drug development for novel HIV and antifungal therapies.

Haselhorst group bio

The Haselhorst Group have a primary focus on structural glycoscience and using NMR spectroscopy to solve complex biological problems. In particular, how human pathogens (viruses, fungi and cancer) interact with glycan receptors expressed on cell surfaces. Recently, they established a Fragment-based Lead Discovery platform and in silico screening for efficient drug discovery.

Joe is an expert in the field of glycobiology, and is internationally known for his expertise in sialic acid biology and glycomics microarrays. He is currently investigating the glycobiology of cancer, adult stem cells and cancer stem cells using microarrays, while also developing novel glyco-nanotechnology platforms and materials specifically aimed at studying diverse glyco-interactions.

Tiralongo group bio

The Tiralongo Group have research interests in anticancer drug discovery, antifungal drug discovery, stem cell glycobiology, enzymology, lectin biochemistry, discovery of immunomodulating agents, membrane protein science, microarray technology (glycan, lectin and reverse phase protein array), nanotechnology and material science. The Tiralongo Group collaborates widely with leading researchers and industry partners. Current industry projects are focussed on the discovery of novel antimicrobial and immunomodulating agents.

Professor Michael Good is an international leader in immunology of infectious diseases and vaccine research. He has major research programs in the areas of malaria and group A streptococcus and, with his group, has developed vaccine candidates which are in clinical development.

Good group bio

Professor Good's group have research skills in molecular immunology, peptide and lipid chemistry, bacteriology, parasitology, animal models of disease and clinical development. They have expertise in controlled human infection models for malaria. They have major collaborations through an NHMRC Program Grant and other national and international grants with world leaders in medicinal chemistry, epidemiology, and clinical research.

Suresh’s key research focus is understanding the mechanisms of inflammatory disease, triggered by viral infections. He is particularly interested in mechanistic studies of emerging mosquito-borne viruses. Prof Mahalingam was recently awarded more than $800,000 in funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council to explore the pathobiology of alphavirus infections.

Mahalingam group bio

The Mahalingam Group focuses on immune responses against viral infections, with a particular focus on mosquito-borne viruses. We use in vivo models of Ross River virus, Chikungunya virus, Zika virus and Dengue virus infection to understand how host immune responses are orchestrated during infection and inflammatory disease. Our current understanding of mosquito-borne viral diseases helps us target specific events in the host's immune response to limit inflammation.

Lara is an NHMRC Research Fellow, studying the glycobiology of vector borne diseases. Her research is primarily focused on deciphering the mechanisms behind alphavirus-induced arthritis and arthralgia. Recently, she has examined the pathobiology of emerging mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya, dengue, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.

Herrero group bio

The Herrero Group utilises a One Health approach to make advancements in understanding and treating vector borne diseases, which combines field work, modelling and lab-based research. The group have made unique discoveries around pathogen dissemination/transmission in the arthropod vector and pathogenesis in the human host. Additionally, using primary human cells and mouse model of disease, they are assessing new glycotherapeutic treatment strategies as antivirals and targeted disease treatments for viral inflammatory disease.

Ian’s research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, and innate immune responses and strategies to reduce disease. One research theme addresses a cause of childhood ear infections, Moraxella catarrhalis. In particular, addressing the biology of host-bacterium interactions, the ecobiology of the upper- respiratory tract, and vaccine approaches. Another major theme is the host response to secreted bacterial molecules, seeking to understand how quorum sensing molecules affect host immune responses to bacterial pathogens. A third stream of research investigates the structure and genetics of LPS biosynthesis.

Peak group bio

The Peak Group have research interests in the structure and genetics of bacterial LPS, vaccine development for pathogens of ear infection, innate immune responses to secreted bacterial molecules, and the role of quorum sensing in bacterium-host interactions.

Erik is an atomic physicist and is interested in applying this expertise to solve challenging problems in fields ranging from biology to geology. He has pioneered the use of diffractive Fresnel optics in quantum physics and is noted for being the first to photograph the shadow of a single atom. His Biophysics Lab is focused on spectroscopy and ion trapping of bioparticles. His Atomic Physics Lab hosts atomic ion trapping facilities.

Streed group bio

The Streed Group specialises in ion trapping (single atoms to whole cells), as well as spectroscopy and microscopy development across the near UV-VIS-Near IR bands. Recent outputs include the development of a super-resolution-enabled zeptoNewton scale 3D force sensor, based on a single atom, and development of quantum communications hardware.treed's group specialises in ion trapping from single atoms to whole cells, and spectroscopy and microscopy development across the near UV-VIS-Near IR bands. Recent work has included the development of a super-resolution enabled zeptoNewton scale 3D Force sensor based on a single atom and development of quantum communications hardware. His Gold Coast lab hosts numerous commercial and purpose built spectrometers, monochromators, lasers, and speciality lamps.

Todd’s research focuses on novel methods for the detection and treatment of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, MRSA infection, and Leishmaniasis. This is underpinned by the study of cell-surface carbohydrates and the immune receptors that interact with them. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the American Institute of Chemists, and is a 30-year member of the American Chemical Society.

Houston group bio

The Houston Group have: identified potent antitubercular compounds and novel sensors for cell-surface carbohydrates by synthesis of both bioactive and fluorescent molecules; discovered novel catalytic reactions through the study of boron interaction with carbohydrates; and discovered new immune modulating molecules, through the development of unique drug delivery systems.

Helen has international standing in structural glycobiology and structure based drug design. In 2006, she was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) in recognition of her contribution to structural biology and inhibitor design. She has established an internationally-recognised research program developing anti-cancer drugs with a focus on targeting galectins, which are key proteins in cancer progression. She has also developed structural biology research investigating rotavirus carbohydrate-recognition, a critical step for infection.

Blanchard group bio

Professor Blanchard and her group have research interests in protein structure and function of carbohydrate-recognising proteins that are involved in disease progression; Structure-based drug- design; Structural Biology (protein X-ray crystallography and other biophysical assays (ITC, STD- NMR); chemical synthesis of designed inhibitors; computational chemistry.

Milton has 25 years’ experience in carbohydrate chemistry and medicinal chemistry, with an emphasis on working towards the synthesis of complex carbohydrates that are associated with pathogenic organisms.

Kiefel group bio

The Kiefel Group have research interests centred on the role of carbohydrates in pathogenic organisms. In particular, the development of synthetic methodologies to enable the efficient synthesis of carbohydrates directly associated with the virulence of organisms that cause human disease. These carbohydrates are used to probe the function and role of enzymes and proteins within pathogenic organisms. Recent key achievements include the development of novel methods for the synthesis of KDO derivatives, pseudaminic acid analogues, and legionaminic acid derivatives. The group also maintains programs in vaccine development, and NextGen carbohydrate-based lithium-ion batteries.

Kate has international standing in the fields of vaccine development and bacterial virulence mechanisms, with a particular focus on the pathogenic Neisseria, where her research program aims to discover and characterise novel drugs and vaccine targets. Specifically, combatting multi-drug resistant gonococcal infections.

Seib group bio

The Seib Group are currently focused on understanding the processes involved in host colonisation and disease, with the aim to identify therapeutic and vaccine targets of bacterial pathogens, including: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea and infertility), Neisseria meningitidis (meningitis and sepsis), Moraxella catarrhalis and non-typeable Haemophilus influenza (middle-ear infection). Additional research interests include: carbohydrate-based interactions between bacteria and the human host, phase variation of bacterial virulence factors and DNA methyltransferases, bacterial epigenetic gene regulation and bacterial oxidative stress responses.

Daniel is an ARC Future Fellow and has an international standing in analytical glycobiology and the development and use of mass spectrometry techniques to understand the function of glycosylation in health and disease.

Kolarich group bio

The Kolarich Group are interested in understanding the role cell surface carbohydrates, glycans, have in cell communication, cell signalling, in host-pathogen interactions and in diseases such as cancer. Specifically, understanding how they can exploit this knowledge for disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. They maintain expertise in analytical glycobiology, in particular mass spectrometry (ESI and MALDI) and liquid chromatography, synthetic glycobiology (glycopeptide synthesis) and in-depth glycoprotein characterisation. Recently, they used this expertise to evaluate the glycome of a 1000-cell clinical sample, a world first.

Nicki has gained national and international recognition for her research in glycomics and glycoproteomics and for integrating this knowledge with proteomics and bioinformatics for cancer functional research.

Packer group bio

Professor Packer and her group have research interests that encompass the analysis and role of glycosylation in many systems including the 1) Function of glycans attached to glycoconjugates: Sugars are usually expressed on the surface of the cell and are therefore the first molecules involved in cell-cell contact. 2) Epithelial cell membrane function: the analytics and assays developed in her lab are used to monitor the effects of changing the surface of the epithelial cell glycosylation in cell systems. 3) Glycans as targets for bioimaging: tagging the surface of cells with nanoparticles for sensitive visualisation. 4) Glycoinformatics: the realisation that glycoinformatic databases and tools are key to progress in the discipline

Having more than thirteen years management experience in innovation and commercialisation, working at the academic/industry interface, Chris' role is to lead a group of professionals dedicated to the strategic and operational development of the institute. As general manager, his prime focus is on translation and commercialisation of our scientific discoveries for social and economic benefit, locally and globally.

Chris has held a number of board positions. He is currently Deputy Chair of the Ausbiotech Ltd Qld Committee.

Michael Batzloff is nationally and internationally recognized for his research in infectious diseases, in particular, his research on the pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes and Burkholderia pseudomallei. His current research is focused on host-pathogen interaction, mode of infection and the development of novel vaccines.

Batzloff group bio

The Batzloff group works on the bacterial pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes and Burkholderia pseudomallei both of which cause a wide range of diseases. The group has focused on developing animal models to investigate host pathogen interaction, novel routes of infection and ultimately efficacy of potential vaccine candidates. In collaboration with Professor Good, the group also has input into further development and translation of vaccine candidates post-laboratory.

Darren is focused on the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel carbohydrates and other potentially therapeutic molecules. Additionally, he works on carbohydrate structures from Gram-negative bacteria, plants and fungi, with the aim of developing applications for health and disease-related treatments.

Grice group bio

The Grice group are advancing the synthesis of a novel leukaemia conjugate, along with cancer therapeutics and analogues of a potent antiviral natural product. Biological evaluations are accompanying these studies. Additionally, in collaboration they have recently assembled a carbohydrate-based conjugate vaccine aimed at protecting against the principal causative Gram-negative pathogens responsible for acute Otitis media (middle ear infection) and associated respiratory diseases. A mice immunogenicity challenge study indicates that the vaccine candidate elicits a cross-reactive and protective response - an exciting basis for further ongoing development.

Victoria is an internationally-renowned microbiologist with expertise in campylobacter biology and host-bacterial interactions with emphasis on the role of chemosensory mechanisms of pathogens in disease.

Korolik group bio

The Korolik Group is currently focused on studying the role of bacterial chemotaxis in pathogenicity and bacteria-host interactions, specifically, on deciphering ligand binding specificities of transmembrane chemosensory proteins of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter fetus and Helicobacter pylori. Recent breakthroughs of the Korolik group are highlighted by the discovery of a novel class of bacterial chemosensors with broad ligand specificities that may be related to sensing of the host molecules, and thus, may play a role in host-bacterial interactions. The group is currently developing a new research area focused on biofilm formation and its role in disease transmission for campylobacters.

Yaoqi is well established in structural bioinformatics, particularly in the area of protein structure and function prediction and modelling. His current research involves in developing and optimising resistance-free antibiotic and anticancer peptide drugs by integrating computational studies with experimental investigations, in addition to his research in deep learning and data mining in biological and literature data.

Zhou group bio

The Zhou group integrates deep learning, computational modelling and analysis with next generation sequencing for protein/RNA-based discovery. His group employs RNA-seq/DNA-seq techniques and develops microfluidic, single-droplet sequencing techniques suitable for a wide range of application. The research interests range from modelling of structure and function of proteins and non-coding RNAs, binding-homology-based discovery of small molecule drug and drug repurposing, detection of disease-causing genetic variation to discovery and optimisation of protein-based and resistance-free peptide-based drugs.