Overview
Background
Professor Kris Thurecht has appointments at AIBN and UQ’s Centre for Advanced Imaging where he is the Deputy Director of Imaging Technologies. Professor Thurecht has been recognised for scientific excellence with a 2012 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award and a 2010 UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award for his work in developing polymer ‘theranostics’. In 2015 he was recognised by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Polymer Division through award of the David Sangster Polymer Science and Technology Award for scientific excellence for a mid-career researcher. Since obtaining his PhD in 2005, he has been the recipient of five competitive national and international fellowships, the latest being an NHMRC CDF, and prior to that award an ARC Future Fellowship. He has contributed scientific and review articles to various leading journals in his field, including invited articles in the Emerging Young Investigator issue of Chemical Communications and a Young Talent article in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. Professor Thurecht has been chief investigator on grants from various funding bodies, including ARC Discovery grants; ARC Linkage Grants, with both national and international companies; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants; and funding from various cancer foundations. He is co-inventor on 8 patents. He is CI on the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in BioMedical Imaging Technology in which he is theme leader, and is Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals.
Availability
- Professor Kristofer Thurecht is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Research
Design and synthesis of architectural polymers applied to molecular imaging and drug delivery in nanomedicine. In collaboration with industry, Prof Thurecht's research has contributed to development and translation of new agents for detection and treatment of cancer.
Works
Search Professor Kristofer Thurecht’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
A first-in-class dual-chelator theranostic agent designed for use with imaging-therapy radiometal pairs of different elements
Wood, James Liam, Ghosh, Saikat, Houston, Zachary, Fletcher, Nicholas, Humphries, James, Mardon, Karine, Akhter, Dewan T., Tieu, William, Ivashkevich, Alesia, Wheatcroft, Michael P., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Codd, Rachel (2024). A first-in-class dual-chelator theranostic agent designed for use with imaging-therapy radiometal pairs of different elements. Chemical Science, 15 (30), 11748-11760. doi: 10.1039/d4sc02851a
2024
Journal Article
Mitigating the Effects of Persistent Antipolymer Immune Reactions in Nanomedicine: Evaluating Materials-Based Approaches Using Molecular Imaging
Humphries, James, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Sonderegger, Stefan E., Bell, Craig A., Kempe, Kristian and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2024). Mitigating the Effects of Persistent Antipolymer Immune Reactions in Nanomedicine: Evaluating Materials-Based Approaches Using Molecular Imaging. ACS Nano, 18 (30), 19890-19904. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c07317
2024
Journal Article
Multifunctional fluoropolymer‐engineered magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate blood‐brain barrier penetration and effective gene silencing in medulloblastoma
Forgham, Helen, Zhu, Jiayuan, Huang, Xumin, Zhang, Cheng, Biggs, Heather, Liu, Liwei, Wang, Yi Cheng, Fletcher, Nicholas, Humphries, James, Cowin, Gary, Mardon, Karine, Kavallaris, Maria, Thurecht, Kristofer, Davis, Thomas P. and Qiao, Ruirui (2024). Multifunctional fluoropolymer‐engineered magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate blood‐brain barrier penetration and effective gene silencing in medulloblastoma. Advanced Science, 11 (25) 2401340. doi: 10.1002/advs.202401340
2024
Journal Article
Influence of chirality on protein corona formation of low-fouling chiral poly(2-oxazoline) coated nanoparticles
Pizzi, David, Nandakumar, Aparna, Morrow, Joshua P., Humphries, James, Siddiqui, Ghizal, Creek, Darren J., Quinn, John.F., Yin, Jialiang, Shi, Qianqian, Cheng, Wenlong, Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Kempe, Kristian (2024). Influence of chirality on protein corona formation of low-fouling chiral poly(2-oxazoline) coated nanoparticles. European Polymer Journal, 210 112964, 112964. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.112964
2024
Journal Article
EGFR Targeting of Liposomal Doxorubicin Improves Recognition and Suppression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Moles, Ernest, Chang, David, Mansfeld, Friederike, Duly, Alastair, Kimpton, Kathleen, Logan, Amy, Howard, Christopher, Thurecht, Kristofer and Kavallaris, Maria (2024). EGFR Targeting of Liposomal Doxorubicin Improves Recognition and Suppression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. International Journal of Nanomedicine, Volume 19, 3623-3639. doi: 10.2147/ijn.s450534
2024
Journal Article
Targeted delivery of polo-like kinase 1 siRNA nanoparticles using an EGFR-PEG bispecific antibody inhibits proliferation of high-risk neuroblastoma
Logan, Amy, Howard, Christopher B., Huda, Pie, Kimpton, Kathleen, Ma, Zerong, Thurecht, Kristofer J., McCarroll, Joshua A., Moles, Ernest and Kavallaris, Maria (2024). Targeted delivery of polo-like kinase 1 siRNA nanoparticles using an EGFR-PEG bispecific antibody inhibits proliferation of high-risk neuroblastoma. Journal of Controlled Release, 367, 806-820. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.007
2024
Journal Article
Comparison of the hydrophilicity of water-soluble poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s, poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazine)s and poly(2,4-dialkyl-2-oxazoline)s
Mint, Kelly, Morrow, Joshua P., Warne, Nicole M., He, Xie, Pizzi, David, Shah, Shaffiq Zainal Osman, Pierens, Gregory K., Fletcher, Nicholas L., Bell, Craig A., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Kempe, Kristian (2024). Comparison of the hydrophilicity of water-soluble poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s, poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazine)s and poly(2,4-dialkyl-2-oxazoline)s. Polymer Chemistry, 15 (26), 2662-2676. doi: 10.1039/d4py00332b
2024
Journal Article
Biodegradable mPEG-<i>b</i>-poly(MDO-<i>co</i>-vinyl esters) block copolymers as a viable nanocarrier platform with tuneable disassembly
Balaji, Arunpandian, Prior, Amber R., O'Reilly, Rachel K., Dove, Andrew P., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Bell, Craig A. (2024). Biodegradable mPEG-b-poly(MDO-co-vinyl esters) block copolymers as a viable nanocarrier platform with tuneable disassembly. Polymer Chemistry, 15 (12), 1152-1165. doi: 10.1039/d4py00049h
2023
Journal Article
Self-cyclisation as a general and efficient platform for peptide and protein macrocyclisation
Jia, Xinying, Chin, Yanni K.-Y., Zhang, Alan H., Crawford, Theo, Zhu, Yifei, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Zhou, Zihan, Hamilton, Brett R., Stroet, Martin, Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Mobli, Mehdi (2023). Self-cyclisation as a general and efficient platform for peptide and protein macrocyclisation. Communications Chemistry, 6 (1) 48, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s42004-023-00841-5
2023
Journal Article
Abstract A147: a HER2 targeted polylysine dendrimer nanoparticle radiotheranostic demonstrates excellent tumor accumulation, rapid clearance from circulation, and promising performance in PET-CT imaging
Johnstone, Cameron N., Heery, Graham P., Kelly, Brian D, Humphries, James, Akhter, Dewan T., Thurecht, Kristofer J., Yuen, Daniel, Giannis, Michael, Yong, Ken, Chadwick, Gareth, Barker, Helena, Cargill, Anne, Eglezos, Anthony, Castellarnau, Alex, Paull, Jeremy R. A. and Hufton, Richard (2023). Abstract A147: a HER2 targeted polylysine dendrimer nanoparticle radiotheranostic demonstrates excellent tumor accumulation, rapid clearance from circulation, and promising performance in PET-CT imaging. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 22 (12_Supplement), A147-A147. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.targ-23-a147
2023
Journal Article
Targeted hyperbranched nanoparticles for delivery of doxorubicin in breast cancer brain metastasis
Lim, Malcolm, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Saunus, Jodi M., McCart Reed, Amy E., Chittoory, Haarika, Simpson, Peter T., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Lakhani, Sunil R. (2023). Targeted hyperbranched nanoparticles for delivery of doxorubicin in breast cancer brain metastasis. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 20 (12), 6169-6183. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00558
2023
Journal Article
An immunomodulating peptide with potential to suppress tumour growth and autoimmunity
Agrez, Michael, Chandler, Christopher, Thurecht, Kristofer J., Fletcher, Nicholas L., Liu, Feifei, Subramaniam, Gayathri, Howard, Christopher B., Blyth, Benjamin, Parker, Stephen, Turner, Darryl, Rzepecka, Justyna, Knox, Gavin, Nika, Anastasia, Hall, Andrew M., Gooding, Hayley and Gallagher, Laura (2023). An immunomodulating peptide with potential to suppress tumour growth and autoimmunity. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 19741, 19741. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-47229-y
2023
Journal Article
Exploring the impact of severity in hepatic fibrosis disease on the intrahepatic distribution of novel biodegradable nanoparticles targeted towards different disease biomarkers
Balaji, Arunpandian, Bell, Craig A., Houston, Zachary H., Bridle, Kim R., Genz, Berit, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Ramm, Grant A. and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2023). Exploring the impact of severity in hepatic fibrosis disease on the intrahepatic distribution of novel biodegradable nanoparticles targeted towards different disease biomarkers. Biomaterials, 302 122318, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122318
2023
Journal Article
Click‐on antibody fragments for customisable targeted nanomedicines – site‐specific tetrazine and azide functionalisation through non‐canonical amino acid incorporation
Huda, Pie, Humphries, James, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Howard, Christopher B., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Bell, Craig A. (2023). Click‐on antibody fragments for customisable targeted nanomedicines – site‐specific tetrazine and azide functionalisation through non‐canonical amino acid incorporation. Chemistry–Methods, 4 (2) e202300036. doi: 10.1002/cmtd.202300036
2023
Journal Article
An immunomodulating peptide to counteract solar radiation-induced immunosuppression and DNA damage
Agrez, Michael, Rybchyn, Mark Stephen, De Silva, Warusavithana Gunawardena Manori, Mason, Rebecca Sara, Chandler, Christopher, Piva, Terrence J., Thurecht, Kristofer, Fletcher, Nicholas, Liu, Feifei, Subramaniam, Gayathri, Howard, Christopher B., Blyth, Benjamin, Parker, Stephen, Turner, Darryl, Rzepecka, Justyna, Knox, Gavin, Nika, Anastasia, Hall, Andrew, Gooding, Hayley and Gallagher, Laura (2023). An immunomodulating peptide to counteract solar radiation-induced immunosuppression and DNA damage. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 11702, 1-19. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38890-4
2023
Journal Article
RAFT polymer–antibody conjugation: squaramide ester chemistry leads to conjugates with a therapeutic anti-EGFR antibody with full retention of activity and increased tumor uptake in vivo
Ardana, Aditya, Ghosh, Saikat, Huda, Pie, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Williams, Charlotte C. (2023). RAFT polymer–antibody conjugation: squaramide ester chemistry leads to conjugates with a therapeutic anti-EGFR antibody with full retention of activity and increased tumor uptake in vivo. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 20 (6), 3073-3087. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00085
2023
Journal Article
Delivery of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin by bispecific antibodies improves treatment in models of high-risk childhood leukemia
Moles, Ernest, Howard, Christopher B., Huda, Pie, Karsa, Mawar, McCalmont, Hannah, Kimpton, Kathleen, Duly, Alastair, Chen, Yongjuan, Huang, Yizhou, Tursky, Melinda L., Ma, David, Bustamante, Sonia, Pickford, Russell, Connerty, Patrick, Omari, Sofia, Jolly, Christopher J., Joshi, Swapna, Shen, Sylvie, Pimanda, John E., Dolnikov, Alla, Cheung, Laurence C., Kotecha, Rishi S., Norris, Murray D., Haber, Michelle, de Bock, Charles E., Somers, Klaartje, Lock, Richard B., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Kavallaris, Maria (2023). Delivery of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin by bispecific antibodies improves treatment in models of high-risk childhood leukemia. Science Translational Medicine, 15 (696) abm1262, 1-17. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm1262
2023
Journal Article
Development and validation of a targeted treatment for brain tumors using a multi-drug loaded, relapse-resistant polymeric theranostic
Chu, Weijing, Houston, Zachary H., Fletcher, Nicholas L., Huda, Pie, Ahamed, Muneer, Lim, Ting Xiang, Day, Bryan W., Pinkham, Mark and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2023). Development and validation of a targeted treatment for brain tumors using a multi-drug loaded, relapse-resistant polymeric theranostic. Biomacromolecules, 24 (6), 2674-2690. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00138
2023
Journal Article
Efficient delivery of Temozolomide using ultrasmall large-pore silica nanoparticles for glioblastoma
Janjua, Taskeen Iqbal, Cao, Yuxue, Ahmed-Cox, Aria, Raza, Aun, Moniruzzaman, Md, Akhter, Dewan Taslima, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Kavallaris, Maria, Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Popat, Amirali (2023). Efficient delivery of Temozolomide using ultrasmall large-pore silica nanoparticles for glioblastoma. Journal of Controlled Release, 357, 161-174. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.03.040
2023
Journal Article
Combination of chemotherapy and mild hyperthermia using targeted nanoparticles: a potential treatment modality for breast cancer
Kaur, Ishdeep, Tieu, Terence, Deepagan, Veerasikku G., Ali, Muhammad A., Alsunaydih, Fahad, Rudd, David, Moghaddam, Maliheh A., Bourgeois, Laure, Adams, Timothy E., Thurecht, Kristofer J., Yuce, Mehmet, Cifuentes-Rius, Anna and Voelcker, Nicolas H. (2023). Combination of chemotherapy and mild hyperthermia using targeted nanoparticles: a potential treatment modality for breast cancer. Pharmaceutics, 15 (5) 1389, 1-23. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051389
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kristofer Thurecht is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Aqueous one-pot photoinitiated polymerization-induced self-assembly (photo-PISA) to synthesize therapeutic protein loaded nanocarriers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Gayathri Ediriweera
-
Doctor Philosophy
Design of a complex in vitro microfluidic device for the evaluation of polymeric nanoparticles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Fletcher
-
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of avidity on nanobody-based formats for theranostic applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jodi Saunus, Dr Nick Fletcher, Dr Pie Huda
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of site-specific radiopharmaceuticals using nanotechnology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Fletcher
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel complementary diagnostics for improved therapeutics/theranostics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Nick Fletcher, Dr Rhia Stone
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of novel polymer-protein conjugates
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular alpha radiotherapy using nanomaterials mediated via pre-targeting strategy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Fletcher
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeted polymeric radiopharmaceutical as cancer theranostics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Fletcher
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the function of CDCP1 and its potential as a theranostic target for cholangiocarcinoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor John Hooper
-
Master Philosophy
High Activity Automated Synthesis of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE for Improved Clinical Workflow
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Roles of image fusion and 3D technology in urology: exploration and clinical integration for personalised devices
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating the Mononuclear Phagocyte System for Improved Nanomaterial Delivery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe, Dr Nick Fletcher
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Biologics as Peptide Delivery Vehicles for Immunotherapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey, Dr Pie Huda
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Design of pH-sensitive, polymeric nanoparticles, and their application in chemotherapeutic drug delivery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Nick Fletcher
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Immunogenicity in Nanomedicine
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Nick Fletcher, Dr Pie Huda
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Targeted delivery of novel immune-boosting peptides to the tumour microenvironment using polymeric nanoparticles to manage lung cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Developing nanomedicines for cancer theranostics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Fletcher
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Novel antibody theranostics for oncology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christopher Howard, Dr Pie Huda
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Photoacoustic Molecular Imaging in Nanomedicine: Development of a Polymeric Probe to Assess Tumour Penetration and Reassessment of the Contrast Enhancement Mechanism
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of novel therapeutic ligands against CXCR4
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Self-assembled polymeric theranostics for hepatic fibrosis - An approach to non-invasive staging and targeted drug delivery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Biological Interactions of Polymeric Nanomedicines & Molecular Imaging Agents
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Nick Fletcher
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the delivery and mechanisms of novel dementia and glioblastoma therapeutics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Fletcher
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Polymeric micelle nanomedicines for monitoring therapeutic efficacy
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of polymeric theranostics using bioorthogonal chemistry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Design and synthesis of nanomaterials as combination therapeutics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell
-
2019
Master Philosophy
Radiosensitization of Prostate Cancer by Nanoparticle Mediated RNA Interference
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kum Kum Khanna, Dr Nick Fletcher, Dr Christopher Howard
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Development of novel polymeric theranostic for the treatment of colorectal cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of polymeric drug delivery systems to improve therapeutic efficiency for breast cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Physiological Response to Polymeric Materials in Nanomedicine
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Design of functional hyperbranched polymers for gene delivery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a Hyperbranched Polymer Theranostic for Prostate Cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Hyperbranched Polymers for In Vivo Multimodal Molecular Imaging
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Controlled delivery of nanoparticles to the colon for tumour targeting
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barbara Rolfe
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Nanomaterials for the Detection of a Small-Molecule Disease Marker
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Re-examining catalytic chain transfer for the synthesis of specialty polymers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey, Professor Jack Clegg, Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Polymer-Ionic Liquid Composites for Advanced Material and Solid Polymer Electrolyte Applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Delivery of therapeutic peptides from thermoplastic polyurethane films
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Design, Assembly and Characterisation of a Multifunctional, Self-Assembled Nanoparticle incorporating Antibody Fragments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Stephen Mahler, Dr Martina Jones
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Cancer Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN): Preclinical Studies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Maree Smith, Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Multifunctional Nanostructured Polymers for Improved 19F MRI
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Dr Hui Peng
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Kristofer Thurecht directly for media enquiries about:
- Nanomedicine polymer therapeutics
- physical chemistry
- Polymer
- Polymer chemistry
- Polymeric imaging agents
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