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:
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

  • Marine Biodiscovery

    MARINE BIODISCOVERY can be defined as the chemical exploration of marine biodiversity, to detect, isolate, characterize, identify and evaluate structurally diverse natural products. Over the last three decades my research group has established itself as a leader in the field of marine biodiscovery. To support our research we have assembled a library of Australian marine invertebrate and algae samples (~2,800), collected by hand from intertidal (0-2 m) and coastal waters (2-30 m), and by off-shore trawling (>50 m), across southern Australia to Antarctica. We have designed and implemented many innovative marine biodiscovery protocols, including a fractionated (enriched) extract library formatted in 96 well plates for rapid screening, UPLC-DAD tagging of >50,000 metabolites in this library (the majority new to science), and a raft of streamlined isolation, purification and structure elucidation protocols. In addition to isolating and identifying several thousand marine metabolites, we routinely undertakes chemical syntheses of high priority metabolites, to both support structure assignments, and advance our efforts in pharmaceutical and agrochemical biodiscovery.

  • Microbial Biodiscovery

    MICROBIAL BIODISCOVERY can be defined as the chemical exploration of bacterial and fungal biodiversity, to detect, isolate, characterize, identify and evaluate structurally diverse natural products. Over the last 15 years my research group has established itself as a leader in the field of microbial biodiscovery. To support our research we have assembled a network of UQ, Australian and international collaborators, have acquired microbial diversity libraries, and have implemented an array of innovative high throughput (HTP) microbial cultivation and chemical profiling methodologies. In addition to isolating novel microbial natural products, many featuring complex and unique molecular structures, our research extends to the chemical synthesis and an exploration of the biosynthesis of high priority scaffolds, and the use of chemical ecology to activate silent biosynthetic gene clusters.

  • Chemical Ecology

    CHEMICAL ECOLOGY can be defined as the chemical exploration of natural molecules (natural products) that influence behavior within or between species, genera, phylla or even Kingdoms. Chemical ecology plays out within and between many living organisms, including microbes, plants, insects and animals. Our research seeks to explore and understand the ecological role of natural products, to gain knowledge, to develop protocols and tools, to enhance our efforts in microbial, pharmaceutical and agrochemical biodiscovery. For example, we study chemical ecology as it plays out between microbes, as well as between microbes and plants, microbes and animals, and microbes and insects, and the toxic chemicals used by both plants and animals to enhance survival. One particularly successful practical illustration is our investigation into the chemical ecology of the poisonous invasive pest species, the cane toad. This study led to the discovery, patenting, publishing and commercial development of an innovative pheromonal control solution whereby cane toad tadpoles are selectively attracted by a natural pheromonal bait into traps.

  • Pharmaceutical Biodiscovery

    PHARMACEUTICAL BIODISCOVERY can be defined as the search for bioactive natural products that inform the development of new human therapeutics (drugs), to improve and replace those that have become less effective, and to bring to the community safe and effective treatments for an ever-wider array of diseases. For example, our pharmaceutical biodiscovery research seeks to deliver new natural product inspired treatments for neurodegenerative and infectious diseases, including multi drug resistant pathogens (i.e. tuberculosis, VRE), as well as cancer, chronic inflammatory pain, anxiety and epilepsy.

  • Agrochemical Biodiscovery

    AGROCHEMICAL BIODISCOVERY can be defined as the search for bioactive natural products that inform the development of new animal health and/or crop protection products, to improve and replace those that have become less effective, and support the treatment of a wide array of commercially significant animal/crop diseases. For example, our agrochemical biodiscovery research seeks to deliver new natural product inspired anthelmintics to treat gastrointestinal infections (worms) in livestock, as well as new anti-infective solutions for controlling plant pathogens.

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

391 works between 1979 and 2024
All (391) Journal Article (361) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (21) Other Outputs (3)

261 - 280 of 391 works

2002

Journal Article

Mimicry of host cuticular hydrocarbons by salticid spider Cosmophasis bitaeniata that preys on larvae of tree ants Oecophylla smaragdina

Allan, Rachel A., Capon, Robert J., Brown, W. Vance and Elgar, Mark A. (2002). Mimicry of host cuticular hydrocarbons by salticid spider Cosmophasis bitaeniata that preys on larvae of tree ants Oecophylla smaragdina. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 28 (4), 835-848. doi: 10.1023/A:1015249012493

Mimicry of host cuticular hydrocarbons by salticid spider Cosmophasis bitaeniata that preys on larvae of tree ants Oecophylla smaragdina

2002

Journal Article

Equilibrating isomers: Bromoindoles and a seco-xanthine encountered during a study of nematocides from the southern Australian marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp.

Capon, Robert J., Skene, Colin, Vuong, Dat, Lacey, Ernest, Gill, Jennifer H., Heiland, Kirstin and Friedel, Thomas (2002). Equilibrating isomers: Bromoindoles and a seco-xanthine encountered during a study of nematocides from the southern Australian marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp.. Journal of Natural Products, 65 (3), 368-370. doi: 10.1021/np010337u

Equilibrating isomers: Bromoindoles and a seco-xanthine encountered during a study of nematocides from the southern Australian marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp.

2002

Journal Article

Phoriospongin A and B: Two new nematocidal depsipeptides from the Australian marine sponges Phoriospongia sp and Callyspongia bilamellata

Capon, Robert J., Ford, Joanne, Lacey, Ernest, Gill, Jennifer H., Heiland, Kirstin and Friedel, Thomas (2002). Phoriospongin A and B: Two new nematocidal depsipeptides from the Australian marine sponges Phoriospongia sp and Callyspongia bilamellata. Journal of Natural Products, 65 (3), 358-363. doi: 10.1021/np010329d

Phoriospongin A and B: Two new nematocidal depsipeptides from the Australian marine sponges Phoriospongia sp and Callyspongia bilamellata

2001

Journal Article

The isolation and synthesis of novel nematocidal dithiocyanates from an Australian marine sponge, Oceanapia sp.

Capon, R. J., Skene, C., Liu, E. H. T., Lacey, E., Gill, J. H., Heiland, K. and Friedel, T. (2001). The isolation and synthesis of novel nematocidal dithiocyanates from an Australian marine sponge, Oceanapia sp.. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 66 (23), 7765-7769. doi: 10.1021/jo0106750

The isolation and synthesis of novel nematocidal dithiocyanates from an Australian marine sponge, Oceanapia sp.

2001

Journal Article

Onnamide F: A new nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer

Vuong, D., Capon, R. J., Lacey, E., Gill, J. H., Heiland, K. and Friedel, T. (2001). Onnamide F: A new nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer. Journal of Natural Products, 64 (5), 640-642. doi: 10.1021/np000474b

Onnamide F: A new nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer

2001

Journal Article

Marine bioprospecting - Trawling for treasure and pleasure

Capon, R. J. (2001). Marine bioprospecting - Trawling for treasure and pleasure. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2001 (4), 633-645. doi: 10.1002/1099-0690(200102)2001:4

Marine bioprospecting - Trawling for treasure and pleasure

2001

Journal Article

Mirabilin G: A new alkaloid from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species

Capon, R. J., Miller, M. and Rooney, F. (2001). Mirabilin G: A new alkaloid from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species. Journal of Natural Products, 64 (5), 643-644. doi: 10.1021/np000564g

Mirabilin G: A new alkaloid from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species

2001

Journal Article

Structure revision and assignment of absolute stereochemistry of a marine C-21 bisfuranoterpene

Capon, R. J., Jenkins, A., Rooney, F. and Ghisalberti, E. L. (2001). Structure revision and assignment of absolute stereochemistry of a marine C-21 bisfuranoterpene. Journal of Natural Products, 64 (5), 638-639. doi: 10.1021/np000477o

Structure revision and assignment of absolute stereochemistry of a marine C-21 bisfuranoterpene

2001

Journal Article

Phorbasin B and C: Novel diterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Phorbas species

McNally, M. and Capon, R. J. (2001). Phorbasin B and C: Novel diterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Phorbas species. Journal of Natural Products, 64 (5), 645-647. doi: 10.1021/np0005614

Phorbasin B and C: Novel diterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Phorbas species

2000

Journal Article

1,9-dimethylhypoxanthine from a southern Australian marine sponge Spongosorites species

Capon, RJ, Rooney, F and Murray, LM (2000). 1,9-dimethylhypoxanthine from a southern Australian marine sponge Spongosorites species. Journal of Natural Products, 63 (2), 261-262. doi: 10.1021/np990378e

1,9-dimethylhypoxanthine from a southern Australian marine sponge Spongosorites species

2000

Journal Article

Phorbasin A: A novel diterpene from a southern Australian marine sponge, phorbas species

Vuong, D and Capon, RJ (2000). Phorbasin A: A novel diterpene from a southern Australian marine sponge, phorbas species. Journal of Natural Products, 63 (12), 1684-1685. doi: 10.1021/np000239t

Phorbasin A: A novel diterpene from a southern Australian marine sponge, phorbas species

2000

Journal Article

Discorhabdin R: A new antibacterial Pyrroloiminoquinone from two latrunculiid marine sponges, Latrunculia sp and Negombata sp.

Ford, J and Capon, RJ (2000). Discorhabdin R: A new antibacterial Pyrroloiminoquinone from two latrunculiid marine sponges, Latrunculia sp and Negombata sp.. Journal of Natural Products, 63 (11), 1527-1528. doi: 10.1021/np000220q

Discorhabdin R: A new antibacterial Pyrroloiminoquinone from two latrunculiid marine sponges, Latrunculia sp and Negombata sp.

2000

Journal Article

Clathrins A-C: Metabolites from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species

Capon, RJ, Miller, M and Rooney, F (2000). Clathrins A-C: Metabolites from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species. Journal of Natural Products, 63 (6), 821-824. doi: 10.1021/np990644o

Clathrins A-C: Metabolites from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species

2000

Journal Article

Lorneamides A and B: Two new aromatic amides from a southern Australian marine actinomycete

Capon, RJ, Skene, C, Lacey, E, Gill, JH, Wicker, J, Heiland, K and Friedel, T (2000). Lorneamides A and B: Two new aromatic amides from a southern Australian marine actinomycete. Journal of Natural Products, 63 (12), 1682-1683. doi: 10.1021/np000241k

Lorneamides A and B: Two new aromatic amides from a southern Australian marine actinomycete

1999

Journal Article

Nuapapuin A and sigmosceptrellins D and E: New norterpene cyclic peroxides from a southern Australian marine sponge, Sigmosceptrella sp.

Ovenden, SPB and Capon, RJ (1999). Nuapapuin A and sigmosceptrellins D and E: New norterpene cyclic peroxides from a southern Australian marine sponge, Sigmosceptrella sp.. Journal of Natural Products, 62 (2), 214-218. doi: 10.1021/np980223r

Nuapapuin A and sigmosceptrellins D and E: New norterpene cyclic peroxides from a southern Australian marine sponge, Sigmosceptrella sp.

1999

Journal Article

Echinosulfonic acids A-C and echinosulfone A: Novel bromoindole sulfonic acids and a sulfone from a southern Australian marine sponge, Echinodictyum

Ovenden, SPB and Capon, RJ (1999). Echinosulfonic acids A-C and echinosulfone A: Novel bromoindole sulfonic acids and a sulfone from a southern Australian marine sponge, Echinodictyum. Journal of Natural Products, 62 (9), 1246-1249. doi: 10.1021/np9901027

Echinosulfonic acids A-C and echinosulfone A: Novel bromoindole sulfonic acids and a sulfone from a southern Australian marine sponge, Echinodictyum

1999

Journal Article

Amphilactams A-D: Novel nematocides from southern Australian marine sponges of the genus Amphimedon

Ovenden, SPB, Capon, RJ, Lacey, E, Gill, JH, Friedel, T and Wadsworth, D (1999). Amphilactams A-D: Novel nematocides from southern Australian marine sponges of the genus Amphimedon. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 64 (4), 1140-1144. doi: 10.1021/jo981377e

Amphilactams A-D: Novel nematocides from southern Australian marine sponges of the genus Amphimedon

1999

Journal Article

Geodin A magnesium salt: A novel nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Geodia

Capon, RJ, Skene, C, Lacey, E, Gill, JH, Wadsworth, D and Friedel, T (1999). Geodin A magnesium salt: A novel nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Geodia. Journal of Natural Products, 62 (9), 1256-1259. doi: 10.1021/np990144v

Geodin A magnesium salt: A novel nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Geodia

1998

Journal Article

Bioprospecting: plumbing the depths

Capon, R. J. (1998). Bioprospecting: plumbing the depths. Today's Life Science, 10 (4), 16-19.

Bioprospecting: plumbing the depths

1998

Journal Article

Mycaperoxides F and G and a related norterpene ketone from southern Australian marine sponges, Mycale species

Capon, RJ, Rochfort, SJ, Ovenden, SPB and Metzger, RP (1998). Mycaperoxides F and G and a related norterpene ketone from southern Australian marine sponges, Mycale species. Journal of Natural Products, 61 (4), 525-528. doi: 10.1021/np970484l

Mycaperoxides F and G and a related norterpene ketone from southern Australian marine sponges, Mycale species

Current funding

  • 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 - 2025
    Australian marine microbes as a source of next generation antiparasitics
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Australian Marine Bioproducts Program Leadership Services
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    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

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Decision tree for developing anti-inflammatory marine bioproducts
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Enhancing Australian biodiscovery molecule generation, storage and access (ARC LIEF administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Southeast Queensland
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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
    Logan City Council
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Cane Toad Challenge: Logan City
    Queensland National Parks & Wildlife Service
    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
  • 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:
Available for supervision

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

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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