Dr Andrew Walker
Dr

Andrew Walker

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62326

Background

My research interests are centred around the structure and function of venom and silk polypeptides produced by arthropods, and their use in biotechnology and medicine. I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the King laboratory in the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, Australia. Currently, I am investigating the composition, function and evolution of neglected insect venoms produced by assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) and nettle caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae).

Availability

Dr Andrew Walker is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Biomolecular modelling and design Cell neurochemistry Chemical Sciences Cheminformatics and quantitative structure-activity relationships Genetics Host-parasite interactions Invertebrate biology Medical biochemistry - proteins and peptides (incl. medical proteomics) Medical biochemistry and metabolomics Medical biotechnology Medical molecular engineering of nucleic acids and proteins Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Molecular evolution Molecular medicine Neurosciences Peripheral nervous system Proteins and peptides Proteomics and intermolecular interactions (excl. medical proteomics) Receptors and membrane biology Structural biology (incl. macromolecular modelling) Zoology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Australian National University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Evolution of venom systems

    Venom use has evolved >100 times across the tree of life. Venom systems are the subject of increasing attention for studies of molecular evolution, trait evolution, pharmacology, drug discovery, and toxinology.

  • Silk processing and evolution, production of artificial silks

    Silks are protein supermaterials made by arthropods. The production of artificial silks in the laboratory (for example using recombinant arthropod silk proteins expressed in bacteria) has the potential to deliver new smart protein materials with tunable properties and green chemistry.

  • Uniting omics technologies

    Mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing of RNA and DNA have undergone rapid improvements in sensitivity and decrease in cost. Integrating these new technologies offers a powerful platform for biodiscovery and experimentation.

  • Biodiscovery from insects

    Insects are the most diverse class, probably accounting for the majority of eukaryotic species and containing many novel evolutionary innovations. This diversity can be harnessed for the biodiscovery of new molecules with applications in research, biotechnology, and medicine.

Search Professor Andrew Walker’s works on UQ eSpace

53 works between 2009 and 2024
All (53) Journal Article (51) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (1)

1 - 20 of 53 works

2024

Journal Article

Venomic adaptations of prey specialised spiders

Michálek, Ondřej, Walker, Andrew A., Šedo, Ondrej, Zdráhal, Zbyněk, King, Glenn F. and Pekár, Stano (2024). Venomic adaptations of prey specialised spiders. Toxicon, 248 107976, 107976. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107976

Venomic adaptations of prey specialised spiders

2024

Journal Article

Venom exaptation and adaptation during the trophic switch to blood-feeding by kissing bugs

Zdenek, Christina N., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Robinson, Samuel D., Mercedes, Raine S., Raidjõe, Enriko R., Hernandez-Vargas, María José, Jin, Jiayi, Corzo, Gerardo, Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn F., Fry, Bryan G. and Walker, Andrew A. (2024). Venom exaptation and adaptation during the trophic switch to blood-feeding by kissing bugs. iScience, 27 (9) 110723, 110723. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110723

Venom exaptation and adaptation during the trophic switch to blood-feeding by kissing bugs

2024

Journal Article

Phylogeny, envenomation syndrome, and membrane permeabilising venom produced by Australia’s electric caterpillar Comana monomorpha

Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh H., Robinson, Samuel D., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Mitchell, Michela L., Cook, Lyn G., King, Glenn F. and Walker, Andrew A. (2024). Phylogeny, envenomation syndrome, and membrane permeabilising venom produced by Australia’s electric caterpillar Comana monomorpha. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 14172, 14172. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-65078-1

Phylogeny, envenomation syndrome, and membrane permeabilising venom produced by Australia’s electric caterpillar Comana monomorpha

2024

Journal Article

Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom

Walker, Andrew A., Chin, Yanni K.-Y., Guo, Shaodong, Jin, Jiayi, Wilbrink, Evienne, Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh Hedayati, Wirth, Hayden, Gordon, Eric, Weirauch, Christiane and King, Glenn F. (2024). Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom. Structure, 32 (9), 1348-1357.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2024.05.016

Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom

2024

Journal Article

Look but do not touch: the occurrence of venomous species across Lepidoptera

Battisti, Andrea, Walker, Andre.A., Uemura, Mizuki, Zalucki, Myron.P., Brinquin, Anne-Sophie, Caparros-Megidos, Rudy, Gachet, Emmanuel, Kerdelhué, Carole and Desneux, Nicolas (2024). Look but do not touch: the occurrence of venomous species across Lepidoptera. Entomologia Generalis, 44 (1), 29-39. doi: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/2295

Look but do not touch: the occurrence of venomous species across Lepidoptera

2023

Journal Article

Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins

Walker, Andrew A., Perkins, Lynda E., Battisti, Andrea, Zalucki, Myron P. and King, Glenn F. (2023). Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins. Proteomics, 23 (20) 2300204, e2300204. doi: 10.1002/pmic.202300204

Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins

2023

Journal Article

Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Pinto, Ciro P. G., Walker, Andrew A., King, Glenn F. and Rossi, Guilherme D. (2023). Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Insect Science, 30 (4), 1105-1117. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.13154

Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

2023

Journal Article

Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae)

Walker, Andrew A., Robinson, Samuel D., Merritt, David J., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh Hedayati, Mercedes, Raine S., Eagles, David A., Cooper, Paul, Zdenek, Christina N., Fry, Bryan G., Hall, Donald W., Vetter, Irina and King, Glenn F. (2023). Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (29) e2305871120, e2305871120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2305871120

Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae)

2023

Journal Article

Venom composition and bioactive RF-amide peptide toxins of the saddleback caterpillar, Acharia stimulea (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)

Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh H., Eagles, David A., Lim, Junxian, Biggs, Kimberley A., Kotze, Andrew C., Ruffell, Angela P., Fairlie, David P., King, Glenn F. and Walker, Andrew A. (2023). Venom composition and bioactive RF-amide peptide toxins of the saddleback caterpillar, Acharia stimulea (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae). Biochemical Pharmacology, 213 115598, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115598

Venom composition and bioactive RF-amide peptide toxins of the saddleback caterpillar, Acharia stimulea (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)

2023

Journal Article

Two novel mosquitocidal peptides isolated from the venom of the Bahia scarlet tarantula (Lasiodora klugi)

Ahmed, Jamila, Walker, Andrew A., Perdomo, Hugo D., Guo, Shaodong, Nixon, Samantha A., Vetter, Irina, Okoh, Hilary I., Shehu, Dalhatu M., Shuaibu, Mohammed N., Ndams, Iliya S., King, Glenn F. and Herzig, Volker (2023). Two novel mosquitocidal peptides isolated from the venom of the Bahia scarlet tarantula (Lasiodora klugi). Toxins, 15 (7) 418, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/toxins15070418

Two novel mosquitocidal peptides isolated from the venom of the Bahia scarlet tarantula (Lasiodora klugi)

2023

Journal Article

Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins

Robinson, Samuel D., Deuis, Jennifer R., Touchard, Axel, Keramidas, Angelo, Mueller, Alexander, Schroeder, Christina I., Barassé, Valentine, Walker, Andrew A., Brinkwirth, Nina, Jami, Sina, Bonnafé, Elsa, Treilhou, Michel, Undheim, Eivind A. B., Schmidt, Justin O., King, Glenn F. and Vetter, Irina (2023). Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 2977, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38839-1

Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins

2023

Journal Article

The predatory stink bug Arma custos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) produces a complex proteinaceous venom to overcome caterpillar prey

Qu, Yuli, Walker, Andrew A., Meng, Ling, Herzig, Volker and Li, Baoping (2023). The predatory stink bug Arma custos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) produces a complex proteinaceous venom to overcome caterpillar prey. Biology, 12 (5) 691. doi: 10.3390/biology12050691

The predatory stink bug Arma custos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) produces a complex proteinaceous venom to overcome caterpillar prey

2023

Journal Article

Holistic profiling of the venom from the Brazilian wandering spider Phoneutria nigriventer by combining high-throughput ion channel screens with venomics

Cardoso, F. C., Walker, A. A., King, G. F. and Gomez, M. V. (2023). Holistic profiling of the venom from the Brazilian wandering spider Phoneutria nigriventer by combining high-throughput ion channel screens with venomics. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 10 1069764, 1069764. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1069764

Holistic profiling of the venom from the Brazilian wandering spider Phoneutria nigriventer by combining high-throughput ion channel screens with venomics

2023

Journal Article

Intra-colony venom diversity contributes to maintaining eusociality in a cooperatively breeding ant

Robinson, Samuel D., Schendel, Vanessa, Schroeder, Christina I., Moen, Sarah, Mueller, Alexander, Walker, Andrew A., McKinnon, Naomi, Neely, G. Gregory, Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn F. and Undheim, Eivind A. B. (2023). Intra-colony venom diversity contributes to maintaining eusociality in a cooperatively breeding ant. BMC Biology, 21 (1) 5, 5. doi: 10.1186/s12915-022-01507-9

Intra-colony venom diversity contributes to maintaining eusociality in a cooperatively breeding ant

2022

Journal Article

Composition and toxicity of venom produced by araneophagous white-tailed spiders (Lamponidae: Lampona sp.)

Michálek, Ondřej, Walker, Andrew A., Šedo, Ondrej, Zdráhal, Zbyněk, King, Glenn F. and Pekár, Stano (2022). Composition and toxicity of venom produced by araneophagous white-tailed spiders (Lamponidae: Lampona sp.). Scientific Reports, 12 (1) 21597, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24694-5

Composition and toxicity of venom produced by araneophagous white-tailed spiders (Lamponidae: Lampona sp.)

2022

Journal Article

Venom composition and pain-causing toxins of the Australian great carpenter bee Xylocopa aruana

Shi, Naiqi, Szanto, Tibor G., He, Jia, Schroeder, Christina I., Walker, Andrew A., Deuis, Jennifer R., Vetter, Irina, Panyi, György, King, Glenn F. and Robinson, Samuel D. (2022). Venom composition and pain-causing toxins of the Australian great carpenter bee Xylocopa aruana. Scientific Reports, 12 (1) 22168, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26867-8

Venom composition and pain-causing toxins of the Australian great carpenter bee Xylocopa aruana

2022

Journal Article

Holistic profiling of the venom from the lethal spider Phoneutria nigriventer by combining high-throughput ion channel screens with venomics

Cardoso, Fernanda C., Walker, Andrew A., King, Glenn F. and Gomez, Marcus V. (2022). Holistic profiling of the venom from the lethal spider Phoneutria nigriventer by combining high-throughput ion channel screens with venomics.

Holistic profiling of the venom from the lethal spider Phoneutria nigriventer by combining high-throughput ion channel screens with venomics

2022

Journal Article

Untangling interactions between Bitis vipers and their prey using coagulotoxicity against diverse vertebrate plasmas

Youngman, Nicholas J., Llinas, Joshua, Haworth, Mark, Gillett, Amber, Jones, Lee, Walker, Andrew A. and Fry, Bryan G. (2022). Untangling interactions between Bitis vipers and their prey using coagulotoxicity against diverse vertebrate plasmas. Toxicon, 216, 37-44. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.06.012

Untangling interactions between Bitis vipers and their prey using coagulotoxicity against diverse vertebrate plasmas

2022

Journal Article

Proteotranscriptomics reveals the secretory dynamics of teratocytes, regulators of parasitization by an endoparasitoid wasp

Pinto, Ciro P.G., Walker, Andrew A., Robinson, Samuel D., King, Glenn F. and Rossi, Guilherme D. (2022). Proteotranscriptomics reveals the secretory dynamics of teratocytes, regulators of parasitization by an endoparasitoid wasp. Journal of Insect Physiology, 139 104395, 104395. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104395

Proteotranscriptomics reveals the secretory dynamics of teratocytes, regulators of parasitization by an endoparasitoid wasp

2021

Journal Article

A pain-causing and paralytic ant venom glycopeptide

Robinson, Samuel D., Kambanis, Lucas, Clayton, Daniel, Hinneburg, Hannes, Corcilius, Leo, Mueller, Alexander, Walker, Andrew A., Keramidas, Angelo, Kulkarni, Sameer S., Jones, Alun, Vetter, Irina, Thaysen-Andersen, Morten, Payne, Richard J., King, Glenn F. and Undheim, Eivind A.B. (2021). A pain-causing and paralytic ant venom glycopeptide. iScience, 24 (10) 103175, 1-21. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103175

A pain-causing and paralytic ant venom glycopeptide

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2023
    Nettles & toxic toupees: the molecular weaponry of venomous caterpillars
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Nettles, jewels, and the toxic toup¿ Discovering the biochemical diversity, function, and evolutionary history of defensive venoms and bioadhesives made by zygaenoid caterpillars
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Survey of diverse invertebrate lineages to discover novel classes of human Nav1.7 inhibitors
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Andrew Walker is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Pharmacological screening of Columbian scorpion venoms

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Glenn King

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterising the Structure and Function of Caterpillar Venom Toxins

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Glenn King

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Utilising invertebrates to identify novel coagulotoxins

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry, Professor Glenn King

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identifying the structure, function, and mechanism of action of cardiotoxic components in the venoms of box (Chironex fleckeri) and Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) jellyfish

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Glenn King

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evolutionary and clinical implications of differential pathophysiological effects of rattlesnake venoms upon blood coagulation, cell function, and nerve transmission.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Venom variation in American pit vipers

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Venom variation in New World pit vipers

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Fernanda Cardoso, Professor Bryan Fry

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evolutionary shifts in venom function and chemistry within Bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes)

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Irina Vetter, Dr Sam Robinson

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Andrew Walker directly for media enquiries about:

  • assassin bugs
  • caterpillars
  • silk
  • venom

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