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)

221 - 240 of 409 works

2010

Journal Article

9-(5‘-Deoxy-5’-thio-β-d-xylofuranosyl)adenine disulfide from the Southern Australian marine sponge trachycladus laevispirulifer: The first natural occurrence of a nucleoside disulfide

Peng, Chongsheng, Gunaherath, G. M. Kamal B., Piggott, Andrew M., Khalil, Zeinab, Conte, Melissa and Capon, Robert J. (2010). 9-(5‘-Deoxy-5’-thio-β-d-xylofuranosyl)adenine disulfide from the Southern Australian marine sponge trachycladus laevispirulifer: The first natural occurrence of a nucleoside disulfide. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 63 (6), 873-876. doi: 10.1071/CH09645

9-(5‘-Deoxy-5’-thio-β-d-xylofuranosyl)adenine disulfide from the Southern Australian marine sponge trachycladus laevispirulifer: The first natural occurrence of a nucleoside disulfide

2010

Journal Article

Ircinialactams: Subunit-selective glycine receptor modulators from Australian sponges of the family Irciniidae

Balansa, Walter, Islam, Robiul, Fontaine, Frank, Piggott, Andrew M., Zhang, Hua, Webb, Timothy I., Gilbert, Daniel F., Lynch, Joseph W. and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Ircinialactams: Subunit-selective glycine receptor modulators from Australian sponges of the family Irciniidae. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 18 (8), 2912-2919. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.03.002

Ircinialactams: Subunit-selective glycine receptor modulators from Australian sponges of the family Irciniidae

2010

Journal Article

Nocardiopsins: New FKBP12-binding macrolide polyketides from an Australian marine-derived actinomycete, Nocardiopsis sp.

Raju, Ritesh, Piggott, Andrew M., Conte, Melissa, Tnimov, Zakir, Alexandrov, Kirill and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Nocardiopsins: New FKBP12-binding macrolide polyketides from an Australian marine-derived actinomycete, Nocardiopsis sp.. Chemistry - A European Journal, 16 (10), 3194-3200. doi: 10.1002/chem.200902933

Nocardiopsins: New FKBP12-binding macrolide polyketides from an Australian marine-derived actinomycete, Nocardiopsis sp.

2010

Journal Article

An ERRbeta/gamma agonist modulates GRalpha expression, and glucocorticoid responsive gene expression in skeletal muscle cells

Wang, Shu-Ching Mary, Myers, Stephen, Dooms, Cedric, Capon, Robert and Muscat, George E. O. (2010). An ERRbeta/gamma agonist modulates GRalpha expression, and glucocorticoid responsive gene expression in skeletal muscle cells. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 315 (1-2), 146-152. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.07.012

An ERRbeta/gamma agonist modulates GRalpha expression, and glucocorticoid responsive gene expression in skeletal muscle cells

2010

Conference Publication

Identifying novel factors required for legume nodule development and autoregulation.

Ferguson, B. J., Lin, Y. -H., Reid, D. E., Hayashi, S., Lin, M. -H., Zhang, H., Capon, R. and Gresshoff, P. M. (2010). Identifying novel factors required for legume nodule development and autoregulation.. OzBio2010 combined conference, Melbourne, Australia, 26 September - 1 October 2010.

Identifying novel factors required for legume nodule development and autoregulation.

2010

Journal Article

Marine natural products chemistry: Past, present, and future

Capon, Robert (2010). Marine natural products chemistry: Past, present, and future. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 63 (6), 851-854. doi: 10.1071/CH10204

Marine natural products chemistry: Past, present, and future

2010

Journal Article

Mirabilins revisited:Polyketide alkaloids from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria sp.

El-Naggar, Mohamed, Conte, Melissa and Capon, Robert J. (2010). Mirabilins revisited:Polyketide alkaloids from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria sp.. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 8 (2), 407-412. doi: 10.1039/b915624k

Mirabilins revisited:Polyketide alkaloids from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria sp.

2009

Journal Article

Naseseazines A and B: A new dimeric diketopiperazine framework from a marine-derived actinomycete, streptomyces sp.

Raju, R, Piggott, A. M., Conte, M, Aalbersberg, W. G. L., Feussner, K and Capon, R. J. (2009). Naseseazines A and B: A new dimeric diketopiperazine framework from a marine-derived actinomycete, streptomyces sp.. Organic Letters, 11 (17), 3862-3865. doi: 10.1021/ol901466r

Naseseazines A and B: A new dimeric diketopiperazine framework from a marine-derived actinomycete, streptomyces sp.

2009

Journal Article

Chemists vs cane toads

Capon, R. J., Hayes, R. A. and Piggott, A. M. (2009). Chemists vs cane toads. Engineering World, Aug/Sept, 22-25.

Chemists vs cane toads

2009

Journal Article

Discorhabdins Revisited: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Southern Australian Marine Sponges of the Genera Higginsia and Spongosorites (vol 72, pg 461, 2009)

El-Naggar, Mohamed and Capon, Robert. J. (2009). Discorhabdins Revisited: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Southern Australian Marine Sponges of the Genera Higginsia and Spongosorites (vol 72, pg 461, 2009). Journal of Natural Products, 72 (7), 1368-1368. doi: 10.1021/np9003596

Discorhabdins Revisited: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Southern Australian Marine Sponges of the Genera Higginsia and Spongosorites (vol 72, pg 461, 2009)

2009

Journal Article

Myth busting – cane toads in Australia

Capon, R. J., Hayes, R. A. and Piggott, A. M. (2009). Myth busting – cane toads in Australia. Chemistry in Australia, 76 (4), 3-6.

Myth busting – cane toads in Australia

2009

Journal Article

Cottoquinazoline A and Cotteslosins A and B, metabolites from an australian marine-derived strain of aspergillus versicolor

Fremlin, L. J., Piggott, A. M., Lacey, E and Capon, R. J. (2009). Cottoquinazoline A and Cotteslosins A and B, metabolites from an australian marine-derived strain of aspergillus versicolor. Journal of Natural Products, 72 (4), 666-670. doi: 10.1021/np800777f

Cottoquinazoline A and Cotteslosins A and B, metabolites from an australian marine-derived strain of aspergillus versicolor

2009

Journal Article

Ontogenetic Variation in the Chemical Defenses of Cane Toads (Bufo marinus): Toxin Profiles and Effects on Predators

Hayes, R. Andrew, Crossland, M. R., Hagman, M, Capon, R. J. and Shine, R (2009). Ontogenetic Variation in the Chemical Defenses of Cane Toads (Bufo marinus): Toxin Profiles and Effects on Predators. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY, 35 (4), 391-399. doi: 10.1007/s10886-009-9608-6

Ontogenetic Variation in the Chemical Defenses of Cane Toads (Bufo marinus): Toxin Profiles and Effects on Predators

2009

Journal Article

Discorhabdins Revisited: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Southern Australian Marine Sponges of the Genera Higginsia and Spongosorites

El-Naggar, M and Capon, R. J. (2009). Discorhabdins Revisited: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Southern Australian Marine Sponges of the Genera Higginsia and Spongosorites. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS, 72 (3), 460-464. doi: 10.1021/np8007667

Discorhabdins Revisited: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Southern Australian Marine Sponges of the Genera Higginsia and Spongosorites

2009

Journal Article

Microbial biotransformation as a source of chemical diversity in cane toad steroid toxins

Hayes, R. A., Piggott, A. M., Dalle, K and Capon, R. J. (2009). Microbial biotransformation as a source of chemical diversity in cane toad steroid toxins. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 19 (6), 1790-1792. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.01.064

Microbial biotransformation as a source of chemical diversity in cane toad steroid toxins

2009

Journal Article

Alarm cues experienced by cane toad tadpoles affect post-metamorphic morphology and chemical defences

Hagman, M., Hayes R. A., Capon, R. J. and Shine, R. (2009). Alarm cues experienced by cane toad tadpoles affect post-metamorphic morphology and chemical defences. Functional Ecology, 23 (1), 126-132. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01470.x

Alarm cues experienced by cane toad tadpoles affect post-metamorphic morphology and chemical defences

2009

Book Chapter

Natural products and pharmacognosy research in Australia

Blunt, B. W., Capon, R. J., Clark, B. J. and Munro, M. H. G. (2009). Natural products and pharmacognosy research in Australia. The American Society of Pharmacognosy: 50 years of progress in natural products. (pp. 148-150) edited by G. M. Cragg. Madison, WI United States: The American Society of Pharmacognosy.

Natural products and pharmacognosy research in Australia

2009

Conference Publication

Functional genomic analysis of systemic cell division regulation in legumes

Gresshoff, P. M., Indrasumunar, A., Miyahara, A., Nontachaiyapoom, S., Biswas, B., Lin, Y-H., Lin, M-H, Reid, D., Callahan, D., Capon, R., Zhang, H., Jiang, Q., Hirani, T., Kobe, B., Men, A., Scott, P., Kereszt, A., Miyagi, M., Li, D., Chan, P-K., Roessner, U., Djordjevic, M. A., Kinkema, M. and Ferguson, B. (2009). Functional genomic analysis of systemic cell division regulation in legumes. International Symposium on Induced Mutations in Plants, Vienna, Austria, 2–15 August 2008. Vienna, Austria: Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

Functional genomic analysis of systemic cell division regulation in legumes

2008

Journal Article

Bistellettazines A-C and bistellettazole A: New terpenyl-pyrrolizidine and terpenyl-imidazole alkaloids from a Southern Australian marine sponge, Stelletta sp.

El-Naggar, M., Piggott, A. M. and Capon, R. J. (2008). Bistellettazines A-C and bistellettazole A: New terpenyl-pyrrolizidine and terpenyl-imidazole alkaloids from a Southern Australian marine sponge, Stelletta sp.. Organic Letters, 10 (19), 4247-4250. doi: 10.1021/ol8016512

Bistellettazines A-C and bistellettazole A: New terpenyl-pyrrolizidine and terpenyl-imidazole alkaloids from a Southern Australian marine sponge, Stelletta sp.

2008

Journal Article

Acremolides A-D, lipodepsipeptides from an Australian marine-derived fungus, Acremonium sp.

Ratnayake, R., Fremlin, L. J., Gill,Jennifer H., Lacey, Ernest and Capon, R. J. (2008). Acremolides A-D, lipodepsipeptides from an Australian marine-derived fungus, Acremonium sp.. Journal of Natural Products, 71 (3), 403-408. doi: 10.1021/np070589g

Acremolides A-D, lipodepsipeptides from an Australian marine-derived fungus, Acremonium 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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