![Professor Irina Vetter](/sites/default/files/profiles/1029.jpeg)
Overview
Background
I am an NHMRC Leadership Fellow with joint apointments at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and School of Pharmacy, UQ. My research interests lie in the fields of peripheral pain mechanisms, target identification and analgesic drug discovery. I investigate the contribution of ion channels to sensory neuronal physiology using highly subtype-selective toxins isolated from venomous animals with the aim to develop novel analgesics with improved efficacy and tolerability.
Availability
- Professor Irina Vetter is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Understanding pain pathways
Pain is a major medical and socio-economic issue affecting one in five Australians. Our research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms behind pain. The current focus of the lab is to use toxins from plants and venomous animals to understand the molecular pharmacology of pain. These toxins are highly selective for ion channels and receptors found in the sensory neurons that detect pain and can potentially be developed into novel analgesics. Our research also investigates the mechanisms contributing to chemotherapy-induced pain, cancer-associated pain, inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and the painful marine toxin disease known as ciguatera. To investigate the neuropharmacology of pain we use a range of techniques including: in vivo pain pathway characterisation, high-content imaging of cultured sensory neurons, high-throughput screening using calcium and membrane potential assays, and traditional pharmacological assays. While all pain has similar symptoms, it is becoming clear that the underlying mechanisms behind pain can vary. Our research has already challenged traditional understanding of pain pathways and sensory neuronal physiology. We work in collaboration with other leading Australian and international researchers to identify novel therapeutic pain pathways and targets. By uncovering these new pain pathways, as well as identifying novel targets on peripheral sensory neurons, we aim to develop more effective pain therapies that treat the underlying cause of the pain, not just the symptoms.
Works
Search Professor Irina Vetter’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
The ‘dispanins’ and related proteins in physiology and neurological disease
Deuis, Jennifer R., Klasfauseweh, Tabea, Walker, Lucinda and Vetter, Irina (2024). The ‘dispanins’ and related proteins in physiology and neurological disease. Trends in Neurosciences, 47 (8), 622-634. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.06.004
2024
Conference Publication
Impact on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy of nadunolimab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody against IL1RAP, in patients with pancreatic cancer, with supportive mouse model data
Van Cutsem, Eric, Ochsenreither, Sebastian, Collignon, Joelle, Eefsen, Rikke Løvendahl, Ivanauskas, Audrius, Shatunova, Svetlana, Vetter, Irina, Gyllenbäck, Elin Jaensson, Skoog, Petter, Losic, Nedjad, Tersago, Dominique and Starobova, Hana (2024). Impact on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy of nadunolimab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody against IL1RAP, in patients with pancreatic cancer, with supportive mouse model data. 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL United States, 31 May - 4 June 2024. Alexandria, VA United States: American Society of Clinical Oncology. doi: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.4148
2024
Journal Article
How to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells into sensory neurons for disease modelling: a functional assessment
Kalia, Anil Kumar, Roesseler, Corinna, Granja-Vazquez, Rafael, Ahmad, Ayesha, Pancrazio, Joseph J., Neureiter, Anika, Zhang, Mei, Sauter, Daniel, Vetter, Irina, Andersson, Asa, Dussor, Gregory, Price, Theodore J., Kolber, Benedict J., Truong, Vincent, Walsh, Patrick and Lampert, Angelika (2024). How to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells into sensory neurons for disease modelling: a functional assessment. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 15 (1) ARTN 99. doi: 10.1186/s13287-024-03696-2
2024
Journal Article
Structural analysis of a U-superfamily conotoxin containing a mini-granulin fold: Insights into key features that distinguish between the ICK and granulin folds
Raffaelli, Tiziano, Wilson, David T., Dutertre, Sebastien, Giribaldi, Julien, Vetter, Irina, Robinson, Samuel D., Thapa, Ashvriya, Widi, Antin, Loukas, Alex and Daly, Norelle L. (2024). Structural analysis of a U-superfamily conotoxin containing a mini-granulin fold: Insights into key features that distinguish between the ICK and granulin folds. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 300 (4) 107203, 107203. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107203
2024
Journal Article
o-Vanillin binds covalently to MAL/TIRAP Lys-210 but independently inhibits TLR2
Rahaman, Md. Habibur, Thygesen, Sara J., Maxwell, Michael J., Kim, Hyoyoung, Mudai, Prerna, Nanson, Jeffrey D., Jia, Xinying, Vajjhala, Parimala R., Hedger, Andrew, Vetter, Irina, Haselhorst, Thomas, Robertson, Avril A. B., Dymock, Brian, Ve, Thomas, Mobli, Mehdi, Stacey, Katryn J. and Kobe, Bostjan (2024). o-Vanillin binds covalently to MAL/TIRAP Lys-210 but independently inhibits TLR2. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 39 (1) 2313055, 2313055. doi: 10.1080/14756366.2024.2313055
2024
Journal Article
Voltage-gated sodium channel inhibition by µ-conotoxins
McMahon, Kirsten L., Vetter, Irina and Schroeder, Christina I. (2024). Voltage-gated sodium channel inhibition by µ-conotoxins. Toxins, 16 (1) 55. doi: 10.3390/toxins16010055
2024
Journal Article
Structural basis of the bivalency of the TRPV1 agonist DkTx
Ramanujam, Venkatraman, Crawford, Theo, Cristofori‐Armstrong, Ben, Deuis, Jennifer R., Jia, Xinying, Maxwell, Michael J., Jami, Sina, Ma, Linlin, Vetter, Irina and Mobli, Mehdi (2024). Structural basis of the bivalency of the TRPV1 agonist DkTx. Angewandte Chemie, 136 (3), 1-8. doi: 10.1002/ange.202314621
2024
Journal Article
Structural basis of the bivalency of the TRPV1 agonist DkTx
Ramanujam, Venkatraman, Crawford, Theo, Cristofori-Armstrong, Ben, Deuis, Jennifer, Jia, Xinying, Maxwell, Michael, Jami, Sina, Ma, Linlin, Vetter, Irina and Mobli, Mehdi (2024). Structural basis of the bivalency of the TRPV1 agonist DkTx. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63 (3) e202314621, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/anie.202314621
2024
Journal Article
Erythromelalgia caused by the missense mutation p.Arg220Pro in an alternatively spliced exon of SCN9A (NaV1.7)
Deuis, Jennifer R., Kumble, Smitha, Keramidas, Angelo, Ragnarsson, Lotten, Simons, Cas, Pais, Lynn, White, Susan M and Vetter, Irina (2024). Erythromelalgia caused by the missense mutation p.Arg220Pro in an alternatively spliced exon of SCN9A (NaV1.7). Human Molecular Genetics, 33 (2), 103-109. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddad152
2024
Journal Article
Peptide toxins that target vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels underly the painful stings of harvester ants
Robinson, Samuel D., Deuis, Jennifer R., Niu, Pancong, Touchard, Axel, Mueller, Alexander, Schendel, Vanessa, Brinkwirth, Nina, King, Glenn F., Vetter, Irina and Schmidt, Justin O. (2024). Peptide toxins that target vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels underly the painful stings of harvester ants. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 300 (1) 105577, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105577
2023
Journal Article
Self-assembly of alkylated lysine-dendron oxytocin amphiphiles for enhanced stability and sustained pharmacological activity
Xie, Fengjuan, Lin, Yingying, Andersson, Åsa, Vetter, Irina, Zhao, Liang and Wan, JingJing (2023). Self-assembly of alkylated lysine-dendron oxytocin amphiphiles for enhanced stability and sustained pharmacological activity. Chemical Communications, 59 (93), 13855-13858. doi: 10.1039/d3cc03801g
2023
Journal Article
Natural compounds purified from the leaves of Aristotelia chilensis: Makomakinol, a new alkaloid and the effect of aristoteline and hobartine on NaV channels
Pérez, Rebeca, Figueredo, Claudia, Burgos, Viviana, Cabrera-Pardo, Jaime R., Schmidt, Bernd, Heydenreich, Matthias, Koch, Andreas, Deuis, Jennifer R., Vetter, Irina and Paz, Cristian (2023). Natural compounds purified from the leaves of Aristotelia chilensis: Makomakinol, a new alkaloid and the effect of aristoteline and hobartine on NaV channels. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (21) 15504, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/ijms242115504
2023
Journal Article
GRIN1 variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders reveal channel gating pathomechanisms
Ragnarsson, Lotten, Zhang, Zihan, Das, Sooraj S., Tran, Poanna, Andersson, Åsa, Portes, Vincent Des, Demestre, Cecilia Altuzzara, Remerand, Ganaelle, Labalme, Audrey, Chatron, Nicolas, Sanlaville, Damien, Lesca, Gaetan, Anggono, Victor, Vetter, Irina and Keramidas, Angelo (2023). GRIN1 variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders reveal channel gating pathomechanisms. Epilepsia, 64 (12), 3377-3388. doi: 10.1111/epi.17776
2023
Journal Article
Identification of sodium channel toxins from marine cone snails of the subgenera Textilia and Afonsoconus
McMahon, Kirsten L., O’Brien, Henrik, Schroeder, Christina I., Deuis, Jennifer R., Venkatachalam, Dhananjeyan, Huang, Di, Green, Brad R., Bandyopadhyay, Pradip K., Li, Qing, Yandell, Mark, Safavi-Hemami, Helena, Olivera, Baldomero M., Vetter, Irina and Robinson, Samuel D. (2023). Identification of sodium channel toxins from marine cone snails of the subgenera Textilia and Afonsoconus. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 80 (10) 287, 287. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04935-0
2023
Journal Article
Exploring the therapeutic potential of an antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory peptide from wasp venom
Galante, Priscilla, Campos, Gabriel A. A., Moser, Jacqueline C. G., Martins, Danubia B., Dos Santos Cabrera, Marcia P., Rangel, Marisa, Coelho, Luiza C., Simon, Karina S., Amado, Veronica M., de A. I. Muller, Jessica, Koehbach, Johannes, Lohman, Rink-Jan, Cabot, Peter J., Vetter, Irina, Craik, David J., Toffoli-Kadri, Monica C., Monge-Fuentes, Victoria, Goulart, Jair T., Schwartz, Elisabeth F., Silva, Luciano P., Bocca, Anamelia L. and Mortari, Márcia R (2023). Exploring the therapeutic potential of an antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory peptide from wasp venom. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 12491, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38828-w
2023
Journal Article
A chemoenzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide)
Zhou, Yan, Harvey, Peta J., Koehbach, Johannes, Chan, Lai Yue, Jones, Alun, Andersson, Åsa, Vetter, Irina, Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2023). A chemoenzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide). Angewandte Chemie, 135 (29) e202302812, 1-5. doi: 10.1002/ange.202302812
2023
Journal Article
Structural conformation and activity of spider-derived inhibitory cystine knot peptide Pn3a are modulated by pH
Tran, Poanna, Crawford, Theo, Ragnarsson, Lotten, Deuis, Jennifer R., Mobli, Mehdi, Sharpe, Simon J., Schroeder, Christina I. and Vetter, Irina (2023). Structural conformation and activity of spider-derived inhibitory cystine knot peptide Pn3a are modulated by pH. ACS Omega, 8 (29), 26276-26286. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02664
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
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
2023
Journal Article
Evaluation of peptide ligation strategies for the synthesis of the bivalent acid-sensing ion channel inhibitor Hi1a
Tran, Hue N. T., Budusan, Elena, Saez, Natalie J., Norman, Alexander, Tucker, Isaac J., King, Glenn F., Payne, Richard J., Rash, Lachlan D., Vetter, Irina and Schroeder, Christina I. (2023). Evaluation of peptide ligation strategies for the synthesis of the bivalent acid-sensing ion channel inhibitor Hi1a. Organic Letters, 25 (24), 4439-4444. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01346
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Irina Vetter is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Structure and function of ion channels in pain pathways: a toxin perspective
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing long-term side-effects of chemotherapy in cancer survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ingrid Winkler, Dr Hana Starobova
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating ion channel function and pathology using toxins as tools
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Dr Angelo Keramidas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding pain mechanisms in the path towards target-specific analgesic agent design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ingrid Winkler, Dr Hana Starobova
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Models of Cancer Therapy-Induced Late Effects
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova
-
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterisation of multi-valent peptides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the function of sodium channel accessory proteins to develop new treatments for chronic pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Probing ion channel function using venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angelo Keramidas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterisation of new pain-causing toxins from animal venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Dr Sam Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using genomics to predict the mechanism-of-action of a chemical entity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sonia Shah
-
Doctor Philosophy
New Toxin Tools for Dissecting Pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek, Dr Sam Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using toxins as tools to understand sodium channel structure and function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evolutionary shifts in venom function and chemistry within Bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker, Dr Sam Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Accessing structurally elusive states of sodium channels as novel analgesic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Development of peptides as gating modifiers to inhibit the voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.7
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Probing the mechanisms underlying physiological and pathological neuronal excitability
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Novel heterodimeric ion channel modulators derived from conotoxins and spider toxins
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Investigating the role of the novel GABAA receptor variant, ß2(L51M), in the pathophysiology of epilepsy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angelo Keramidas
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a high-throughput pipeline for the discovery of NaV1.9 modulators from animal venoms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vincristine induced peripheral neuropathy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Schroder
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Engineering an optimized analgesic from the NaV1.7 selective spider venom peptide Pn3a
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the role of NaV1.6 in peripheral sensory neurons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Identification of pain genes contributing to ciguatoxin-induced pain using haplotype-based computational genetic mapping in mice
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Establishment, optimization and characterization of a rat model of breast cancer induced bone pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Maree Smith, Dr Andy Kuo
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A Pharmacological and Transcriptomic approach to exploring Novel Pain Targets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Cabot, Dr Fernanda Cardoso
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of venom-derived peptides that target acid-sensing ion channels
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli, Dr Lachlan Rash
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution and Diversification of the Anguimorphan Lizard Venom System
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Structural basis of the function of peptide inhibitors targeting voltage-gated sodium channel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Solving painful problems: Developing potent and selective NaV channel inhibitors from animal venom
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising venom variation and antivenom effectiveness within the "True" vipers (Viperinae: Viperidae)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Australian snake venoms on coagulation: Differential potency, biochemistry, and antivenom efficacy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Using toxins to elucidate the role of voltage-gated sodium channels in pain
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Cabot, Professor Richard Lewis
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Novelty in three-finger toxin evolution
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
A Blood Bond: Evolutionary, Pathophysiological and Biodiscovery implications of coagulotoxic snake venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution of the venom system in aculeate hymenoptera
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A philosophical and empirical investigation of the evolution of the toxicoferan reptile venom system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Glenn King, Professor Bryan Fry
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterization of NaV modulatory venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Lewis, Dr Lachlan Rash
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and Characterisation of Novel Analgesic Neurotoxins, hCav2.2 Channel inhibitors, from Cone Snail and Spider Venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Lewis, Dr Lotten Ragnarsson
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacological characterisation of alpha-conopeptides with therapeutic potential
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Lewis
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Irina Vetter directly for media enquiries about:
- analgesics
- cancer
- cancer pain
- chemotherapy pain
- chronic pain
- ciguatera
- diabetes
- drug development
- drug discovery
- ion channels
- irritable bowel syndrome
- neuropathic pain
- neuropathy
- neuropharmacology
- toxins
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