
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
2013
Journal Article
Chemical engineering and structural and pharmacological characterization of the alpha-scorpion toxin OD1
Durek, Thomas, Vetter, Irina, Wang, Ching-I Anderson, Motin, Leonid, Knapp, Oliver, Adams, David J., Lewis, Richard J. and Alewood, Paul F. (2013). Chemical engineering and structural and pharmacological characterization of the alpha-scorpion toxin OD1. ACS Chemical Biology, 8 (6), 1215-1222. doi: 10.1021/cb400012k
2013
Journal Article
Multiple actions of phi-LITX-Lw1a on ryanodine receptors reveal a functional link between scorpion DDH and ICK toxins
Smith, Jennifer J., Vetter, Irina, Lewis, Richard J., Peigneur, Steve, Tytgat, Jan, Lam, Alexander, Gallant, Esther M., Beard, Nicole A., Alewood, Paul F. and Dulhunty, Angela F. (2013). Multiple actions of phi-LITX-Lw1a on ryanodine receptors reveal a functional link between scorpion DDH and ICK toxins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110 (22), 8906-8911. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1214062110
2013
Journal Article
Expression and pharmacology of endogenous Ca-v channels in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells
Sousa, Silmara R., Vetter, Irina, Ragnarsson, Lotten and Lewis, Richard J. (2013). Expression and pharmacology of endogenous Ca-v channels in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. PloS One, 8 (3) e59293, e59293. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059293
2013
Journal Article
Differential evolution and neofunctionalization of snake venom metalloprotease domains
Brust, Andreas, Sunagar, Kartik, Eivind Undheim, Vetter, Irina, Yang, Daryl C., Casewell, Nicholas R., Ruder, Tim, Jackson, Timothy N. W., Koludarov, Ivan, Alewood, Paul F., Hodgson, Wayne C., Lewis, Richard J., King, Glenn F., Antunes, Agostinho, Hendrikx, Iwan and Fry, Bryan G. (2013). Differential evolution and neofunctionalization of snake venom metalloprotease domains. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 12 (3), 651-663. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M112.023135
2013
Journal Article
Venom peptides as a rich source of Cav2.2 channel blockers
Sousa, Silmara R., Vetter, Irina and Lewis, Richard J. (2013). Venom peptides as a rich source of Cav2.2 channel blockers. Toxins, 5 (2), 286-314. doi: 10.3390/toxins5020286
2013
Book Chapter
Characterizing response properties of cutaneous nociceptors using in vitro skin-nerve preparations
Deuis, Jennifer, Vetter, Irina and Zimmermann, Katharina (2013). Characterizing response properties of cutaneous nociceptors using in vitro skin-nerve preparations. Pain models: translational relevance and applications. (pp. 33-46) edited by Hermann Handwerker and Lars Arendt-nielsen. Washington, United States: IASP Press.
2013
Conference Publication
Ciguatoxin-Induced Release of Neuropeptides in a Sensory Neuron-Keratinocyte Coculture Model
Le Garrec, Raphaele, Vetter, Irina, Lewis, Richard J. and Misery, Laurent (2013). Ciguatoxin-Induced Release of Neuropeptides in a Sensory Neuron-Keratinocyte Coculture Model. World Congress on Itch (WCI), Boston, MA United States, 21–23 September 2013. UPPSALA: ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1701
2012
Journal Article
Differential Evolution and Neofunctionalization of Snake Venom Metalloprotease Domains (vol 12, pg 651, 2013)
Brust, Andreas, Sunagar, Kartik, Undheim, Eivind A. B., Vetter, Irina, Yang, Daryl C., Casewell, Nicholas R., Jackson, Timothy N. W., Koludarov, Ivan, Alewood, Paul F., Hodgson, Wayne C., Lewis, Richard J., King, Glenn F., Antunes, Agostinho, Hendrikx, Iwan and Fry, Bryan G. (2012). Differential Evolution and Neofunctionalization of Snake Venom Metalloprotease Domains (vol 12, pg 651, 2013). Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 12 (5), 1488-1488. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M112.023135
2012
Journal Article
Ciguatoxins activate specific cold pain pathways to elicit burning pain from cooling
Vetter, Irina, Touska, Filip, Hess, Andreas, Hinsbey, Rachel, Sattler, Simon, Lampert, Angelika, Sergejeva, Marina, Sharov, Anastasia, Collins, Lindon S., Eberhardt, Mirjam, Engel, Matthias, Cabot, Peter J., Wood, John N., Vlachova, Viktorie, Reeh, Peter W., Lewis, Richard J. and Zimmermann, Katharina (2012). Ciguatoxins activate specific cold pain pathways to elicit burning pain from cooling. EMBO Journal, 31 (19), 3795-3808. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.207
2012
Journal Article
omega-Conotoxin GVIA Mimetics that Bind and Inhibit Neuronal Ca(v)2.2 Ion Channels
Tranberg, Charlotte Elisabet, Yang, Aijun, Vetter, Irina, McArthur, Jeffrey R., Baell, Jonathan B., Lewis, Richard J., Tuck, Kellie L. and Duggan, Peter J. (2012). omega-Conotoxin GVIA Mimetics that Bind and Inhibit Neuronal Ca(v)2.2 Ion Channels. Marine Drugs, 10 (10), 2349-2368. doi: 10.3390/md10102349
2012
Journal Article
Pharmacological characterization of α-elapitoxin-Al2a from the venom of the Australian pygmy copperhead (Austrelaps labialis): an atypical long-chain α-neurotoxin with only weak affinity for α7 nicotinic receptors
Marcon, Francesca, Leblanc, Mathieu, Vetter, Irina, Lewis, Richard J., Escoubas, Pierre and Nicholson, Graham M. (2012). Pharmacological characterization of α-elapitoxin-Al2a from the venom of the Australian pygmy copperhead (Austrelaps labialis): an atypical long-chain α-neurotoxin with only weak affinity for α7 nicotinic receptors. Biochemical Pharmacology, 84 (6), 851-863. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.06.024
2012
Journal Article
Isolation, characterization and total regioselective synthesis of the novel μO-conotoxin MfVIA from Conus magnificus that targets voltage-gated sodium channels
Vetter, Irina, Dekan, Zoltan, Knapp, Oliver, Adams, David J., Alewood, Paul F. and Lewis, Richard J. (2012). Isolation, characterization and total regioselective synthesis of the novel μO-conotoxin MfVIA from Conus magnificus that targets voltage-gated sodium channels. Biochemical Pharmacology, 84 (4), 540-548. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.05.008
2012
Journal Article
Therapeutic potential of cone snail venom peptides (conopeptides)
Vetter, Irina and Lewis, Richard J. (2012). Therapeutic potential of cone snail venom peptides (conopeptides). Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (14), 1546-1552. doi: 10.2174/156802612802652457
2012
Journal Article
Characterisation of Na-v types endogenously expressed in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
Vetter, Irina, Mozar, Christine A., Durek, Thomas, Wingerd, Joshua S., Alewood, Paul F., Christie, Macdonald J. and Lewis, Richard J. (2012). Characterisation of Na-v types endogenously expressed in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Biochemical Pharmacology, 83 (11), 1562-1571. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.02.022
2012
Journal Article
Conus venom peptide pharmacology
Lewis, Richard J., Dutertre, Sebastien, Vetter, Irina and Christie, MacDonald J. (2012). Conus venom peptide pharmacology. Pharmacological Reviews, 64 (2), 259-298. doi: 10.1124/pr.111.005322
2012
Conference Publication
Functional consequences of G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68/OGR1) overexpression in intestinal epithelial cells
de Valliere, Cheryl, Vidal, Solange, Eloranta, Jyrki J., Lang, Silvia, Vetter, Irina, Inserra, Marco, Lewis, Richard J., Cooper, Matthew A., Wang, Yu, Ludwig, Marie-Gabrielle, Kullak-Ublick, Gerd A., Wagner, Carsten A., Rogler, Gerhard and Seuwen, Klaus (2012). Functional consequences of G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68/OGR1) overexpression in intestinal epithelial cells. Digestive Disease Week (DDW), San Diego, CA, United States, 19-22 May 2012. Maryland Heights, MO, United States: WB Saunders Co..
2012
Conference Publication
Development of high throughput calcium channel assays to accelerate the discovery of novel toxins targeting human cav2.2 channels
Sousa, Silmara R., Ragnarsson, Lotten, Vetter, Irina, Herzig, Volker, King, Glenn F. and Lewis, Richard J. (2012). Development of high throughput calcium channel assays to accelerate the discovery of novel toxins targeting human cav2.2 channels. 7th World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology & Venom Week 2012, 4th International Scientific Symposium on All Things Venomous, Honolulu, Hawaii, 8 - 13 July 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.04.033
2012
Conference Publication
Novel sources for potent and selective GPCR modulators
Muttenthaler, M., Dawson, P. E., Gruber, C. W., Bergmayr, C., Freissmuth, M., Andersson, A., Vetter, I., Dutertre, S., Lewis, R. J. and Alewood, P. F. (2012). Novel sources for potent and selective GPCR modulators. 32nd European Peptide Symposium, Athens, Greece, 2-7 September 2012. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/psc.2447
2012
Conference Publication
The gene encoding the G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68/OGR1) is regulated by TNF, hypoxia, and low pH in human monocytic cells
de Valliere, Cheryl, Vidal, Solange, Vetter, Irina, Inserra, Marco, Lewis, Richard J., Cooper, Matthew A., Bentz, Susanne, Wang, Yu, Ludwig, Marie-Gabrielle, Kullak-Ublick, Gerd A., Seuwen, Klaus, Wagner, Carsten A., Rogler, Gerhard and Eloranta, Jyrki J. (2012). The gene encoding the G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68/OGR1) is regulated by TNF, hypoxia, and low pH in human monocytic cells. Digestive Disease Week (DDW), San Diego, CA, United States, 19-22 May 2012. Maryland Heights, MO, United States: W. B. Saunders Co..
2012
Book Chapter
Voltage-gated sodium channels as therapeutic targets.
Wingerd, Joshua S., Vetter, Irina and Lewis, Richard J. (2012). Voltage-gated sodium channels as therapeutic targets.. Therapeutic targets: Modulation, Inhibition and Activation.. (pp. 63-122) edited by Luis M. Botana and Mabel Loza. Hoboken NJ, United States: John Wiley and Sons.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Irina Vetter is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
Reducing long-term side-effects of chemotherapy in cancer survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ingrid Winkler, Dr Hana Starobova
-
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
Characterization of bivalency in disulfide-rich peptides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating ion channel function and pathology using toxins as tools
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Dr Angelo Keramidas
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Master Philosophy
Using peptide toxins to understand the nociceptor signallosome
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Structure and function of ion channels in pain pathways: a toxin perspective
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Models of Cancer Therapy-Induced Late Effects
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova
-
Master Philosophy
Neuro-immune mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy: a novel target offering new prevention and treatment strategies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Ms Svetlana Shatunova
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using toxins as tools to understand sodium channel structure and function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
New Toxin Tools for Dissecting Pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek, Dr Sam Robinson
-
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
Characterization of novel family of voltage-gated sodium channel toxins from ant venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sam Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using genomics to predict the mechanism-of-action of a chemical entity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Shah
-
Doctor Philosophy
Accessing structurally elusive states of sodium channels as novel analgesic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek, Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Chemotherapy-induced motor neuropathy: towards improved understanding of motor neuron dysfunction during chemotherapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova
-
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
Probing ion channel function using venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angelo Keramidas
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
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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
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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
Engineering an optimized analgesic from the NaV1.7 selective spider venom peptide Pn3a
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Professor Mehdi Mobli
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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, Dr Rink-Jan Lohman
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the role of NaV1.6 in peripheral sensory neurons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek
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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
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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
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Structural basis of the function of peptide inhibitors targeting voltage-gated sodium channel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
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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
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Australian snake venoms on coagulation: Differential potency, biochemistry, and antivenom efficacy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Novelty in three-finger toxin evolution
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Using toxins to elucidate the role of voltage-gated sodium channels in pain
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Cabot
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
A Blood Bond: Evolutionary, Pathophysiological and Biodiscovery implications of coagulotoxic snake venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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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 Characterisation of Novel Analgesic Neurotoxins, hCav2.2 Channel inhibitors, from Cone Snail and Spider Venoms
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterization of NaV modulatory venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacological characterisation of alpha-conopeptides with therapeutic potential
Associate Advisor
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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