Australia is rich in plant, animal and microbial biodiversity, inhabiting ecosystems ranging from the northern tropics to southern temperate zones, and extending as far south as Antarctica. These geographically diverse regions feature deserts, mountains and rainforests, rivers, wetlands and estuaries, as well as beaches, coral reefs and deep-sea mounts. The aim of my research group is to explore this remarkable living resource, to discover new knowledge that will inspire the development of new and improved pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and research tools. Through these studies we encounter a wide diversity of molecules, rich in unusual carbon skeletons, heterocycles and functionality, derived from the full array of known, and new biosynthetic pathways. These molecules represent an extraordinary resource that can inform the discovery and development of new drugs to treat such indications as neurodegenerative (i.e. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and infectious diseases, cancers, acute and chronic inflammatory pain, diabetes and much more. Our investigations also extend to animal health as we seek to discover new anti-parasitic agents to treat gastrointestinal parasites in livestock (sheep, cattle, horses). At all stages we are alert to the biological mechanism of action of our natural product discoveries, to deliver safer and more effective treatments capable of overcoming the increasingly prevalent threat of multi-drug resistance.
The research group also explores the ecological role of natural products, including “natural” strategies to control the devastating environmental impact of cane toads on Australian native predator species.
To achieve our aims we have assembled core expertise and infrastructure in organic chemistry, including sophisticated analytical, chromatographic, spectroscopic and synthetic chemistry technologies and methodologies. Strategic alliances and collaborations across academia, industry and government further extend our capability into the disciplines of zoology, ecology and microbiology, as well as cell and molecular biology, pharmacology and biochemistry.