Professor von Itzstein AO is a world-leader 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.

Professor Jennings 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.

Dr Chris Davis obtained an honours degree and PhD in synthetic medicinal chemistry from Griffith University on the Gold Coast. For 2 years he worked in a biotechnology start-up company developing anti-bacterial drug candidates he co-invented during his PhD. Following the trade sale of that company he worked for commercialisation company, Uniquest Pty Ltd., in Brisbane seeking venture capital investment to enable the development of new drug and vaccine discoveries, together with licensing of drug and vaccine technologies to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

In 2009 he returned to Griffith University as General Manager of the Institute for Glycomics where he leads a group of professionals dedicated to the strategic and operational development of the Institute, covering domestic and international business strategy, technology commercialisation, fund raising across the philanthropic, government, industry and private sectors, and general Institute operations. The primary focus of the Institute is translating its drug, vaccine and diagnostic discoveries into social and economic benefit, locally and globally.

Chris is also Chairman of Ausbiotech Ltd (Queensland Branch).

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.  His group is also working with scientists and clinicians at Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital and the University of Alberta to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

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.

Professor Carolyn Mountford is a world leader in the development of magnetic resonance (MR) technology to address unmet clinical needs. Her translational research in the neuro field centres on MR technology to identify changes to the brain associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), injury from blast and impact and pain. In the cancer area it is a preoperative diagnosis for ovarian lesions. For breast, the capacity to determine how far the breast tissue of a woman at high risk for breast cancer has deviated.

Carolyn graduated with two degrees from Somerville College Oxford and was awarded full Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School in 2011. Professor Mountford and her team have been a worldwide development site for Siemens since 1999. Her team is under contract to the USA and Australian military to develop this approach to improve the health of soldiers.

Mountford group bio

Integral to diagnosing and monitoring the effect of PTSD, blast and pain on the brain are a series of fucosylated glycans. Others have shown in animal models these glycans are integral to learning and memory. The study of how these fucosylated glycans are affected by  pain and mental health, and how they are restored  will be tackled.  The mechanisms behind these important markers, as they alter with the switch from the acute to the chronic phase is integral to managing these conditions.

Professor Mak has a strong interest in the process of virus formation, and their impacts on virus entry and function, particularly for HIV. He 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. Professor Mak also applies his virology expertise in the fight against COVID-19.

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: (i) establishing an efficacious HIV vaccine; (ii) developing novel antivirals; and (iii) exploring practical preventive options for women. The team utilises lessons learnt in HIV biology toward SARS-CoV-2 research in attempt to fast pace both preventive and treatment options for our community.

Professor Berners-Price 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.

Professor Packer 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

Professor Zhou is well established in structural bioinformatics, particularly in the area of protein structure and function prediction and modelling. His current research involves 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 and molecular biology techniques for protein/RNA-based discovery. The research interests range from modelling and experimental investigations 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 as antibiotics and anti-cancer agents.

Professor Korolik 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.

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. Associate Professor Haselhorst has worked in the field of Rotavirus and Influenza virus research and recently in collaboration with Professor Michael Jennings and Dr Chris Day in SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery and structure-guided vaccine design. Associate Professor Haselhorst's research also includes the development of intelligent nanomaterials as targeted drug delivery systems for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and drug discovery of novel HIV and antifungal therapies.

Haselhorst group bio

The Haselhorst Group has 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.

Associate Professor Seib 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 influenzae (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.

Associate Professor Kolarich 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 diseases such as cancer and infections.

Kolarich group bio

The Kolarich Group are interested in understanding the role cell surface glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins and glycolipids 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. Using a technology called Laser Capture Microdissection, glycomics and glycoproteomics can be now performed from precise locations of clinical tissue sections. Recently, they used this expertise to evaluate the glycome of a 1000-cell clinical sample, a world first.

Associate Professor Tiralongo 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.

Coming from the field of quantum physics, Associate Professor Streed is interested in leveraging this expertise to tackle challenging problems in fields including biology, geology and material sciences. His pioneering work in the use of diffractive Fresnel optics in quantum physics is notable for enabling him to be the first to photograph the shadow of a single atom.

Within the Institute for Glycomics, Associate Professor Streed's Biophysics Lab is focused on the spectroscopy and ion trapping of bioparticles, with an aim towards building new types of tools that enable other researchers to advance their understanding of biomolecular processes.

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.

Associate Professor Houston'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.

Dr Herrero is a scientifically and medically trained 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 and aims to translate basic science into clinical outcomes. Dr Herrero has examined the pathobiology of emerging mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya, dengue, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses and has developed a novel therapeutic for Ross River-induced arthritis which has successfully passed phase II clinical trials.

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.

Dr Peak'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.

Dr Kiefel 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.

Dr Grice 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.

Peter developed automated glycan assembly as the key technology to quickly produce defined glycans. He used these synthetic tools to understand biological processes and to develop a host of applications including vaccines and therapeutics.

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.

Subhash obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the Australian National University (1989) and has been engaged in antiviral drug development research since 2003.  He has published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles (h-index of 59) and holds a primary appointment as Professor and Principal Investigator at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. He is also concurrently a joint Professor at Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at National University of Singapore and adjunct Professor at the Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia. Since 2009 Subhash has been an Editor with Antiviral Research (Elsevier) and is currently a member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Virology (American Society of Microbiology). He was recently elected to the Board of the International Society for Antiviral Research.

Dr Manisha Pandey‘s expertise lies in microbiology, vaccinology and immunology with a major focus on translational research involving vaccine development for Streptococcus pyogenes.

Manisha’s research is focused on developing strategies to target adaptive immunity in infectious diseases with a view to develop preventative and therapeutics. Her core research interest lies in understanding immune mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interaction and in the development of immunity following vaccination and/or natural infection. Her research is transitioning the lead streptococcal vaccines to clinical trials in Australia and Canada. More recently she is also applying her vaccine design expertise in the development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Dr Stanisic has extensive expertise in parasitology, immunology, vaccinology and clinical trials with a major research focus on malaria vaccine development.

Danielle’s research has a translational focus and involves transitioning whole parasite vaccine candidates from pre-clinical animal studies into clinical development and their evaluation in clinical trials. She has established the experimental malaria challenge system at Griffith University for this purpose. She is also applying vaccine platforms developed within the Malaria Vaccine Program to other parasites of medical and veterinary importance e.g. Babesia.

Dr John Atack is an expert on host-adapted bacterial pathogens, with a specific focus on understanding how bacterial pathogens randomly and reversibly switch gene expression, and how we can leverage this knowledge to direct and inform the development of better vaccines and treatments.

Atack group bio

John and his group have a particular focus on several human and animal adapted bacterial pathogens, such as the Streptococci and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), that cause a range of diseases such as middle ear infections in children, chronic lung disease in adults, and zoonotic meningitis. They seek to understand how random gene expression (phase-variable genes and phasevarions) influences the pathobiology of these organisms using a variety of biochemical and molecular biology techniques.