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

402 works between 1979 and 2025
All (402) Journal Article (371) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (21) Other Outputs (4)

301 - 320 of 402 works

1997

Journal Article

Sigmosceptrins A-C: New norditerpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Sigmosceptrella sp.

Bassett, S, Ovenden, SPB, Gable, RW and Capon, RJ (1997). Sigmosceptrins A-C: New norditerpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Sigmosceptrella sp.. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 50 (12), 1137-1143. doi: 10.1071/C97090

Sigmosceptrins A-C: New norditerpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Sigmosceptrella sp.

1997

Journal Article

A new lipid from an Australian marine sponge, Callyspongia sp.

Urban, S and Capon, RJ (1997). A new lipid from an Australian marine sponge, Callyspongia sp.. Lipids, 32 (6), 675-677. doi: 10.1007/s11745-997-0086-0

A new lipid from an Australian marine sponge, Callyspongia sp.

1996

Journal Article

Deoxyspongiaquinones: New sesquiterpene quinones and hydroquinones from a southern Australian marine sponge Euryspongia sp

Urban, Sylvia and Capon, Robert J. (1996). Deoxyspongiaquinones: New sesquiterpene quinones and hydroquinones from a southern Australian marine sponge Euryspongia sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (5), 611-615.

Deoxyspongiaquinones: New sesquiterpene quinones and hydroquinones from a southern Australian marine sponge Euryspongia sp

1996

Journal Article

Hippospongins A to F : new furanoterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Hippospongia sp

Rochfort, Simone J., Atkin, Daniel, Hobbs, Lisa and Capon, Robert J. (1996). Hippospongins A to F : new furanoterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Hippospongia sp. Journal of natural products, 59 (11), 1024-1028. doi: 10.1021/np960511s

Hippospongins A to F : new furanoterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Hippospongia sp

1996

Journal Article

Absolute sterochemistry of puupehenone and related metabolites

Urban, Sylvia and Capon, Robert J. (1996). Absolute sterochemistry of puupehenone and related metabolites. Journal of natural products, 59 (9), 900-901. doi: 10.1021/np9603838

Absolute sterochemistry of puupehenone and related metabolites

1996

Journal Article

Parguerenes revisited: New brominated diterpenes from the southern Australian marine red alga, Laurencia filiformis

Rochfort, S. J. and Capon, R. J. (1996). Parguerenes revisited: New brominated diterpenes from the southern Australian marine red alga, Laurencia filiformis. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (1), 19-26. doi: 10.1071/CH9960019

Parguerenes revisited: New brominated diterpenes from the southern Australian marine red alga, Laurencia filiformis

1996

Journal Article

New chromenols from a southern Australian tunicate, Aplidium solidum

Rochfort, SJ, Metzger, R, Hobbs, L and Capon, RJ (1996). New chromenols from a southern Australian tunicate, Aplidium solidum. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (11), 1217-1219.

New chromenols from a southern Australian tunicate, Aplidium solidum

1996

Journal Article

Mirabilins (A to F): New alkaloids from a Great Australian Bight marine sponge, Arenochalina mirabilis

Barrow, R. A., Murray, L., Lim, T. K. and Capon, R. J. (1996). Mirabilins (A to F): New alkaloids from a Great Australian Bight marine sponge, Arenochalina mirabilis. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (7), 767-773. doi: 10.1071/CH9960767

Mirabilins (A to F): New alkaloids from a Great Australian Bight marine sponge, Arenochalina mirabilis

1996

Journal Article

Exploitation of ant chemical communication by a spider

Allan, R. A, Elgar, M. A. and Capon, R. J. (1996). Exploitation of ant chemical communication by a spider. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B., 263 (1366), 69-73.

Exploitation of ant chemical communication by a spider

1996

Journal Article

Dictyosphaerin: A novel bicyclic lipid from a southern Australian marine green algae, Dictyosphaeria sericea

Rochfort, SJ, Watson, R and Capon, RJ (1996). Dictyosphaerin: A novel bicyclic lipid from a southern Australian marine green algae, Dictyosphaeria sericea. Journal of Natural Products, 59 (12), 1154-1156. doi: 10.1021/np9605347

Dictyosphaerin: A novel bicyclic lipid from a southern Australian marine green algae, Dictyosphaeria sericea

1996

Journal Article

Exploitation of an ant chemical alarm signal by the zodariid spider Habronestes bradleyi Walckenaer

Allan, RA, Elgar, MA and Capon, RJ (1996). Exploitation of an ant chemical alarm signal by the zodariid spider Habronestes bradleyi Walckenaer. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 263 (1366), 69-73. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1996.0012

Exploitation of an ant chemical alarm signal by the zodariid spider Habronestes bradleyi Walckenaer

1996

Journal Article

Mycalone: a New Steroidal Lactone from a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Mycale sp

Rochfort, Simone S., Gable, Robert W. and Capon, Robert J. (1996). Mycalone: a New Steroidal Lactone from a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Mycale sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (6), 715-718. doi: 10.1071/CH9960715

Mycalone: a New Steroidal Lactone from a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Mycale sp

1996

Journal Article

Lamellarin-S: A new aromatic metabolite from an Australian tunicate, Didemnum species

Urban, S. and Capon, R. J. (1996). Lamellarin-S: A new aromatic metabolite from an Australian tunicate, Didemnum species. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (6), 711-713. doi: 10.1071/CH9960711

Lamellarin-S: A new aromatic metabolite from an Australian tunicate, Didemnum species

1996

Journal Article

Deoxyspongiaquinones : new sesquiterpene/quinones and hydroquinones from a southern Australian marine sponge, Eurospongia sp.

Urban, S., Hobbs, L., Hooper, J. N. A and Capon, R. J. (1996). Deoxyspongiaquinones : new sesquiterpene/quinones and hydroquinones from a southern Australian marine sponge, Eurospongia sp.. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 49 (5), 611-615. doi: 10.1071/CH9960611

Deoxyspongiaquinones : new sesquiterpene/quinones and hydroquinones from a southern Australian marine sponge, Eurospongia sp.

1995

Journal Article

The effect of the marine natural product variabilin on contractile activity of the guinea-pig ileum

Beveridge, A. A., Hill, M., Anderson, A. P. and Capon, R. (1995). The effect of the marine natural product variabilin on contractile activity of the guinea-pig ileum. Pharmacology Communications, 5 (2), 127-135.

The effect of the marine natural product variabilin on contractile activity of the guinea-pig ileum

1995

Journal Article

A New Macrocyclic Gamma-Pyrone From a Southern Australian Marine Red Alga

Murray, L, Currie, G and Capon, RJ (1995). A New Macrocyclic Gamma-Pyrone From a Southern Australian Marine Red Alga. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 48 (8), 1485-1489. doi: 10.1071/CH9951485

A New Macrocyclic Gamma-Pyrone From a Southern Australian Marine Red Alga

1995

Journal Article

Isobromotopsentin: A new bis(indole) alkaloid from a deep-water marine sponge Spongosorites sp

Murray, LM, Lim, TK, Hooper, JNA and Capon, RJ (1995). Isobromotopsentin: A new bis(indole) alkaloid from a deep-water marine sponge Spongosorites sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 48 (12), 2053-2058. doi: 10.1071/CH9952053

Isobromotopsentin: A new bis(indole) alkaloid from a deep-water marine sponge Spongosorites sp

1995

Journal Article

New Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dictyodendrilla Sp

Tran, NH, Hooper, Jna and Capon, RJ (1995). New Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dictyodendrilla Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 48 (10), 1757-1760. doi: 10.1071/CH9951757

New Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dictyodendrilla Sp

1995

Journal Article

Lamellarin-Q and Lamellarin-R - New Aromatic Metabolites From An Australian Marine Sponge, Dendrilla-Cactos

Urban, S, Hobbs, L, Hooper, Jna and Capon, RJ (1995). Lamellarin-Q and Lamellarin-R - New Aromatic Metabolites From An Australian Marine Sponge, Dendrilla-Cactos. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 48 (8), 1491-1494. doi: 10.1071/CH9951491

Lamellarin-Q and Lamellarin-R - New Aromatic Metabolites From An Australian Marine Sponge, Dendrilla-Cactos

1995

Journal Article

A New Furanoditerpene From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Thorectandra Choanoides

Urban, S and Capon, RJ (1995). A New Furanoditerpene From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Thorectandra Choanoides. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 48 (11), 1903-1906. doi: 10.1071/CH9951903

A New Furanoditerpene From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Thorectandra Choanoides

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Novel antibacterials from nature targeting the bacterial cell envelope
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    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 - 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 - 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

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
  • 2021 - 2023
    Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Southeast Queensland
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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
  • 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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