Professor Rob Capon
Professor

Rob Capon

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62372
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62979

Background

My research group specializes in the detection, isolation, identification and evaluation of biologically active small molecules from Nature (natural products). We acquire valuable knowledge on how and why natural products are made, and apply this knowledge to better understand living systems, and solve important scientific and societal challenges.

To achieve these goals we have established specialist capabilities that extend across;

Microbiology – the isolation, characterization and cultivation of bacterial and fungal strains.

Chemistry – the extraction and fractionation of natural extracts, the purification, chemical and spectroscopic characterization, and structure elucidation of natural products, and the use of synthetic and medicinal chemistry to explore bioactive scaffolds.

Biology – to evaluate extracts and natural products against an array of bioassays, leading to new human pharmaceuticals that target such indications as infectious and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, pain and epilepsy, as well as new animal health products and new crop protection agents.

Availability

Professor Rob Capon is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemistry

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Western Australia
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research interests

  • Natural Products Chemistry and Biodiscovery

    I lead an internationally recognised and multidisciplinary research group specialising in the detection, isolation, identification and evaluation of biologically active natural products, with an emphasis on those from marine and microbial sources. The aim of this research is to acquire knowledge of the chemical and biological properties of new classes of natural product, to inspire innovative solutions to important scientific and societal challenges. These include new methods and molecular tools to probe and better understand living systems; new and improved treatments for infectious, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and pain; new agrochemicals to safeguard animal health; and new approaches to protect crops and the environment.

Research impacts

With over 35 years experience in biodiscovery science, my research has lead to the study of several thousand natural products, many rare or new to science, and many with valuable chemical and biological properties. Over the last decade my research group has made numerous discoveries across basic and applied natural products science, leading to multiple high impact publications and several patents. I am recognised internationally as an expert in organic, natural products, analytical, synthetic and medicinal chemistry, and chemical ecology, and have a reputation for entering into and delivering on strategic collaborations.

My research activities are currently organised around five thematic programs;

Marine Biodiscovery: Documenting, evaluating and exploiting the chemical and biological properties of natural products from Australian marine invertebrates and algae.

Microbial Biodiscovery: Documenting, evaluating and exploiting the chemical and biological properties of natural products from Australian marine and terrestrial, bacteria and fungi.

Chemical Ecology: Documenting, evaluating and exploiting natural chemical interactions between members of either the same, or different species – extending across and between microbes, plants and animals.

Pharmaceutical Biodiscovery: Applying knowledge of natural products to inspire the development of new pharmaceuticals, to treat indications such infectious and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and pain.

Agrochemical Biodiscovery: Applying knowledge of natural products to inspire the development of agrochemicals, to enhance the health and productivity of livestock and crops.

Search Professor Rob Capon’s works on UQ eSpace

409 works between 1979 and 2026
All (409) Journal Article (372) Other Outputs (3) Conference Publication (27) Book Chapter (7)

201 - 220 of 409 works

2012

Journal Article

Lamellarins as inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in a human colon cancer cell line

Plisson, Fabien, Huang, Xiao-Cong, Zhang, Hua, Khalil, Zeinab and Capon, Robert J. (2012). Lamellarins as inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in a human colon cancer cell line. Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 7 (7), 1616-1623. doi: 10.1002/asia.201101049

Lamellarins as inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in a human colon cancer cell line

2012

Journal Article

Kinase inhibitor scaffolds against neurodegenerative diseases from a southern Australian Ascidian, Didemnum sp.

Plisson, Fabien, Conte, Melissa, Khalil, Zeinab, Huang, Xiao-Cong, Piggott, Andrew M. and Capon, Robert J. (2012). Kinase inhibitor scaffolds against neurodegenerative diseases from a southern Australian Ascidian, Didemnum sp.. ChemMedChem, 7 (6), 983-990. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201200169

Kinase inhibitor scaffolds against neurodegenerative diseases from a southern Australian Ascidian, Didemnum sp.

2012

Journal Article

New dictyodendrins as BACE inhibitors from a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp.

Zhang, Hua, Conte, Melissa M., Khalil, Zeinab, Huang, Xiao-Cong and Capon, Robert J. (2012). New dictyodendrins as BACE inhibitors from a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp.. Rsc Advances, 2 (10), 4209-4214. doi: 10.1039/c2ra20322g

New dictyodendrins as BACE inhibitors from a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp.

2012

Journal Article

Chemical inhibition of bacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase suppresses capsule production

Standish, Alistair J., Salim, Angela A., Zhang, Hua, Capon, Robert J. and Morona, Renato (2012). Chemical inhibition of bacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase suppresses capsule production. Plos One, 7 (5) e36312, e36312.1-e36312.8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036312

Chemical inhibition of bacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase suppresses capsule production

2012

Journal Article

Symphyocladins A-G: bromophenol adducts from a Chinese marine red alga, Symphyocladia latiuscula

Xu, Xiuli, Piggott, Andrew M., Yin, Liyuan, Capon, Robert J. and Song, Fuhang (2012). Symphyocladins A-G: bromophenol adducts from a Chinese marine red alga, Symphyocladia latiuscula. Tetrahedron Letters, 53 (16), 2103-2106. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2012.02.044

Symphyocladins A-G: bromophenol adducts from a Chinese marine red alga, Symphyocladia latiuscula

2012

Journal Article

A search for BACE inhibitors reveals new biosynthetically related pyrrolidones, furanones and pyrroles from a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp.

Zhang, Hua, Conte, Melissa M., Huang, Xiao-Cong, Khalil, Zeinab and Capon, Robert J. (2012). A search for BACE inhibitors reveals new biosynthetically related pyrrolidones, furanones and pyrroles from a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp.. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 10 (13), 2656-2663. doi: 10.1039/c2ob06747a

A search for BACE inhibitors reveals new biosynthetically related pyrrolidones, furanones and pyrroles from a southern Australian marine sponge, Ianthella sp.

2012

Journal Article

Heronamycin A: A new benzothiazine ansamycin from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.

Raju, Ritesh, Piggott, Andrew M., Khalil, Zeinab, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Capon, Robert J. (2012). Heronamycin A: A new benzothiazine ansamycin from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.. Tetrahedron Letters, 53 (9), 1063-1065. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2011.12.064

Heronamycin A: A new benzothiazine ansamycin from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.

2012

Book Chapter

Biologically active natural products from Australian marine organisms

Capon, Robert J. (2012). Biologically active natural products from Australian marine organisms. Bioactive compounds from natural sources. (pp. 579-602) edited by Corrado Tringali. London, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1201/b11196-18

Biologically active natural products from Australian marine organisms

2012

Journal Article

Spiralisones A-D: acylphloroglucinol hemiketals from an Australian marine brown alga, Zonaria spiralis

Zhang, Hua, Xiao, Xue, Conte, Melissa M., Khalil, Zeinab and Capon, Robert J. (2012). Spiralisones A-D: acylphloroglucinol hemiketals from an Australian marine brown alga, Zonaria spiralis. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 10 (48), 9671-9676. doi: 10.1039/c2ob26988k

Spiralisones A-D: acylphloroglucinol hemiketals from an Australian marine brown alga, Zonaria spiralis

2011

Journal Article

Ikirydinium A: A new indole alkaloid from the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum)

Ajala, Olusegun S., Piggott, Andrew M., Plisson, Fabien, Zeinab, Zeinab, Huang, Xiao-cong, Adesegun, Sunday A., Coker, Herbert A. B. and Capon, Robert J. (2011). Ikirydinium A: A new indole alkaloid from the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum). Tetrahedron Letters, 52 (52), 7125-7127. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2011.10.106

Ikirydinium A: A new indole alkaloid from the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum)

2011

Journal Article

High-throughput screening of Australian marine organism extracts for bioactive molecules affecting the cellular storage of neutral lipids

Rae, James, Fontaine, Frank, Salim, Angela A., Lo, Harriet P., Capon, Robert J., Parton, Robert G. and Martin, Sally (2011). High-throughput screening of Australian marine organism extracts for bioactive molecules affecting the cellular storage of neutral lipids. PLoS One, 6 (8) e22868, e22868.1-e22868.13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022868

High-throughput screening of Australian marine organism extracts for bioactive molecules affecting the cellular storage of neutral lipids

2011

Journal Article

Nocardioazines: A novel bridged diketopiperazine scaffold from a marine-derived bacterium inhibits P-glycoprotein

Raju, Ritesh, Piggott, Andrew M., Huang, Xiao-Cong and Capon, Robert J. (2011). Nocardioazines: A novel bridged diketopiperazine scaffold from a marine-derived bacterium inhibits P-glycoprotein. Organic Letters, 13 (10), 2770-2773. doi: 10.1021/ol200904v

Nocardioazines: A novel bridged diketopiperazine scaffold from a marine-derived bacterium inhibits P-glycoprotein

2011

Journal Article

Fascioquinols A-F: Bioactive meroterpenes from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp

Zhang, Hua, Khalil, Zeinab G. and Capon, Robert J. (2011). Fascioquinols A-F: Bioactive meroterpenes from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp. Tetrahedron, 67 (14), 2591-2595. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2011.02.015

Fascioquinols A-F: Bioactive meroterpenes from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp

2011

Journal Article

Reveromycins revealed: New polyketide spiroketals from Australian marine-derived and terrestrial Streptomyces spp. A case of natural products vs artifacts

Fremlin, Leith, Farrugia, Michelle, Piggott, Andrew M., Khalil, Zeinab, Lacey, Ernest and Capon, Robert J. (2011). Reveromycins revealed: New polyketide spiroketals from Australian marine-derived and terrestrial Streptomyces spp. A case of natural products vs artifacts. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 9 (4), 1201-1211. doi: 10.1039/c0ob00654h

Reveromycins revealed: New polyketide spiroketals from Australian marine-derived and terrestrial Streptomyces spp. A case of natural products vs artifacts

2010

Journal Article

Franklinolidesa A - C from an Australian marine sponge complex: Phosphodiesters strongly enhance polyketide cytotoxicity

Zhang, Hua, Conte, Melissa M. and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Franklinolidesa A - C from an Australian marine sponge complex: Phosphodiesters strongly enhance polyketide cytotoxicity. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 49 (51), 9904-9906. doi: 10.1002/anie.201005883

Franklinolidesa A - C from an Australian marine sponge complex: Phosphodiesters strongly enhance polyketide cytotoxicity

2010

Journal Article

Heronapyrroles A-C: Farnesylated 2-nitropyrroles from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.

Raju, Ritesh, Piggott, Andrew M., Barrientos Diaz, Leticia X., Khalil, Zeinab and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Heronapyrroles A-C: Farnesylated 2-nitropyrroles from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.. Organic Letters, 12 (22), 5158-5161. doi: 10.1021/ol102162d

Heronapyrroles A-C: Farnesylated 2-nitropyrroles from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.

2010

Journal Article

Heronamides A-C, new polyketide macrolactams from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp A biosynthetic case for synchronized tandem electrocyclization

Raju, Ritesh, Piggott, Andrew M., Conte, Melissa M. and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Heronamides A-C, new polyketide macrolactams from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp A biosynthetic case for synchronized tandem electrocyclization. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 8 (20), 4682-4689. doi: 10.1039/c0ob00267d

Heronamides A-C, new polyketide macrolactams from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp A biosynthetic case for synchronized tandem electrocyclization

2010

Journal Article

ChemInform Abstract: Marine Norterpene Cyclic Peroxides: A Stereochemical Paper Chase

Capon, R. J. (2010). ChemInform Abstract: Marine Norterpene Cyclic Peroxides: A Stereochemical Paper Chase. ChemInform, 23 (42), no-no. doi: 10.1002/chin.199242281

ChemInform Abstract: Marine Norterpene Cyclic Peroxides: A Stereochemical Paper Chase

2010

Journal Article

ChemInform Abstract: Two for One: Structure Revision of the Marine Sesterterpene Tetronic Acid Strobilinin to (8Z,13E,20Z)-Strobilinin and (8E,13Z,20Z)- Strobilinin

Davis, R. and Capon, R. J. (2010). ChemInform Abstract: Two for One: Structure Revision of the Marine Sesterterpene Tetronic Acid Strobilinin to (8Z,13E,20Z)-Strobilinin and (8E,13Z,20Z)- Strobilinin. ChemInform, 25 (36). doi: 10.1002/chin.199436219

ChemInform Abstract: Two for One: Structure Revision of the Marine Sesterterpene Tetronic Acid Strobilinin to (8Z,13E,20Z)-Strobilinin and (8E,13Z,20Z)- Strobilinin

2010

Journal Article

Heterofibrins: Inhibitors of lipid droplet formation from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Spongia (Heterofibria) sp.

Salim, Angela A., Rae, James, Fontaine, Frank, Conte, Melissa M., Khalil, Zeinab, Martin, Sally, Parton, Robert G. and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Heterofibrins: Inhibitors of lipid droplet formation from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Spongia (Heterofibria) sp.. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 8 (14), 3188-3194. doi: 10.1039/c003840g

Heterofibrins: Inhibitors of lipid droplet formation from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Spongia (Heterofibria) sp.

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Novel antibacterials from nature targeting the bacterial cell envelope
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Professor Capon's Soils for Science Research
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Gut Health anti-inflammatory potential of Yumbah abalone and mussels
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Harnessing microbial immunomodulatory function to improve treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Australian marine microbes as a source of next generation antiparasitics
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Decision tree for developing anti-inflammatory marine bioproducts
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Enhancing Australian biodiscovery molecule generation, storage and access (ARC LIEF administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Australian Marine Bioproducts Program Leadership Services
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Southeast Queensland
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Drugs from Bugs: Developing New Inflammatory Bowel Disease Drugs from Gut Bacteria-Derived Bioactives
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    New antiparasitics to protect Australian livestock
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Functionally characterizing IBD dysbiosis and harnessing gut bioactives to suppress IL-23 driven inflammation
    The Global Grants for Gut Health
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Behavioural evidence of pheromone use by an elasmobranch
    Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Cane Toad Challenge
    Queensland Citizen Science Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Chemical Purification Network
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Preclinical Validation of a Novel Drug Lead to Treat Tuberculosis
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Cane Toad Challenge: Logan City
    Queensland National Parks & Wildlife Service
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Cane Toad Challenge: Logan City
    Logan City Council
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Nematode-induced microbial anthelmintics
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Developing new antibiotics to treat tuberculosis
    Australian Tropical Medicine Commercialisation Programme
    Open grant
  • 2016
    4D Mass Spectrometer
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Integrative blood coagulation research core facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Patch-clamp electrophysiology platform for drug and insecticide discovery
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Chemical investigations aimed at identifying the queen bee attractant pheromone (RIRDC project administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Aquaculture: Anti-Infective Agents from the Sea
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Antiparastic Agents to Safeguard Australian Livestock
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    A novel mechanism for therapeutically modulating neurotransmitter-activated ion channels
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Continuous-Flow Hydrogenation Reactor (H-Cube Pro)
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Discovery of the Systemic Regulator of Legume Nodulation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013
    High throughput electrophysiology platform
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Growing a Sustainable New Molecular Resource
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Natural product modulators of the ubiquitin-pathway
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Chemi-biology computational platform for lead discovery in infectious disease
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    New Antibiotics: Engaging Microbial Chemical Diversity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    K-Ras Inhibitors as a New Strategy to Combat Cancer
    University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Developing inhibitors of an essential histidine kinase in Staphylococcus aureus
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Freedom Evo 150 robotic worktable: Automated high throughput and long-time course spectrophotometric multiwell plate assay system
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Advanced molecular discovery and characterisation facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Automated liquid handling platform
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Developing novel selective glycine receptor potentiators as a means to control pain.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Towards Next Generation Anthelmintics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Biotek Synergy 4 multimode microplate reader
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Biodiscovery@UQ-Chemical Analysis Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Australian marine biodiversity as a source of new drugs to control neurodegenerative disease
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006
    A new non-toxic approach to controlling bacterial infection
    Community Health and Tuberculosis Australia
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Biomolecular discovery and analysis facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Novel Sodium Ion Channel Modulators From Australian Cephalopods
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Australian Microbial Biodiscovery: Exploration of Bioactive Chemical Space
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Cellular imaging system for high throughput screening of ion channels
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = High Throughput Screening
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Novel Marine-Derived Drug Leads for the Glycine and GABA a ion Channel Receptors
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Anti cancer Agents from Australian Marine Biodiversity
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Australian Microbial Resources Research Network
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Combating Head Lice With Marine Derived Anti-Parasitics
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003
    New antibiotics from Australian microbes: Combating multiple drug resistance
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Marine metabolites as non toxic inhibitors of cell adhesion: Avoiding collateral damage in the war against disease
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Rob Capon is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Rob Capon directly for media enquiries about:

  • Cane toad control
  • Chemical ecology
  • Drug discovery
  • Marine biodiscovery
  • Microbial biodiscovery
  • Natural products chemistry

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