 
    Overview
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
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Western Australia
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
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Marine BiodiscoveryMARINE 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. 
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Microbial BiodiscoveryMICROBIAL 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. 
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Chemical EcologyCHEMICAL 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. 
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Pharmaceutical BiodiscoveryPHARMACEUTICAL 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. 
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Agrochemical BiodiscoveryAGROCHEMICAL 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.
Works
Search Professor Rob Capon’s works on UQ eSpace
1993
Journal Article
Isopalinurin - a Mild Protein Phosphatase Inhibitor From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dysidea Sp
Murray, L, Sim, Atr, Rostas, Jap and Capon, RJ (1993). Isopalinurin - a Mild Protein Phosphatase Inhibitor From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dysidea Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 46 (8), 1291-1294. doi: 10.1071/CH9931291
1993
Journal Article
Spongiaquinone Revisited - Structural and Stereochemical Studies On Marine Sesquiterpene Quinones From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia Sp
Capon, RJ, Groves, DR, Urban, S and Watson, RG (1993). Spongiaquinone Revisited - Structural and Stereochemical Studies On Marine Sesquiterpene Quinones From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 46 (8), 1245-1253. doi: 10.1071/CH9931245
1993
Journal Article
The Structure of a New C25 Isoprenoid Alkene Biomarker From Diatomaceous Microbial Communities
Summons, RE, Barrow, RA, Capon, RJ, Hope, JM and Stranger, C (1993). The Structure of a New C25 Isoprenoid Alkene Biomarker From Diatomaceous Microbial Communities. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 46 (6), 907-915. doi: 10.1071/CH9930907
1993
Journal Article
Beyond Polygodial - New Drimane Sesquiterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dysidea Sp
Butler, MS and Capon, RJ (1993). Beyond Polygodial - New Drimane Sesquiterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Dysidea Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 46 (8), 1255-1267. doi: 10.1071/CH9931255
1993
Journal Article
Trunculin-F and Contrunculin-A and Contrunculin-B - Novel Oxygenated Norterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Latrunculia-Conulosa
Butler, MS and Capon, RJ (1993). Trunculin-F and Contrunculin-A and Contrunculin-B - Novel Oxygenated Norterpenes From a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Latrunculia-Conulosa. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 46 (9), 1363-1374. doi: 10.1071/CH9931363
1992
Journal Article
5-Epi-Isospongiaquinone, a New Sesquiterpene Quinone Antibiotic From An Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia-Hispida
Urban, S and Capon, RJ (1992). 5-Epi-Isospongiaquinone, a New Sesquiterpene Quinone Antibiotic From An Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia-Hispida. Journal of Natural Products, 55 (11), 1638-1642. doi: 10.1021/np50089a012
1992
Journal Article
The Chemistry of Notheia-Anomala .3. - 2 New Methylene-Interrupted Trisepoxylipids
Rochfort, S, Murray, L and Capon, RJ (1992). The Chemistry of Notheia-Anomala .3. - 2 New Methylene-Interrupted Trisepoxylipids. Journal of Natural Products, 55 (9), 1332-1335. doi: 10.1021/np50087a029
1992
Journal Article
Sulfolane as a Natural Product From the Sponge Tunicate Composite, Batzella Sp Lissoclinum Sp
Barrow, RA and Capon, RJ (1992). Sulfolane as a Natural Product From the Sponge Tunicate Composite, Batzella Sp Lissoclinum Sp. Journal of Natural Products, 55 (9), 1330-1331. doi: 10.1021/np50087a028
1992
Journal Article
Luffalactone and (4E,6E)-Dehydromanoalide From the Sponge Luffariella-Variabilis
Potts, Bcm, Capon, RJ and Faulkner, DJ (1992). Luffalactone and (4E,6E)-Dehydromanoalide From the Sponge Luffariella-Variabilis. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 57 (10), 2965-2967. doi: 10.1021/jo00036a043
1992
Journal Article
Chemotaxonomy of Marine Sponges: Families Microcionidae, Raspailiidae and Axinellidae, and their Relationships with other Families in the Orders Poecilosclerida and Axinellida (Porifera: Demospongiae)
Hooper, J. N.A., Capon, R. J., Keenan, C. P., Parry, D. L. and Smit, N. (1992). Chemotaxonomy of Marine Sponges: Families Microcionidae, Raspailiidae and Axinellidae, and their Relationships with other Families in the Orders Poecilosclerida and Axinellida (Porifera: Demospongiae). Invertebrate Systematics, 6 (2), 261-301. doi: 10.1071/IT9920261
1992
Journal Article
A New Sesterterpene Tetronic Acid and a Pentaprenylated Para-Quinol From An Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia Sp
Lumsdon, D, Capon, RJ, Thomas, SG and Beveridge, AA (1992). A New Sesterterpene Tetronic Acid and a Pentaprenylated Para-Quinol From An Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 45 (8), 1321-1325. doi: 10.1071/CH9921321
1992
Journal Article
The Luffarins (a-Z), Novel Terpenes From An Australian Marine Sponge, Luffariella-Geometrica
Butler, MS and Capon, RJ (1992). The Luffarins (a-Z), Novel Terpenes From An Australian Marine Sponge, Luffariella-Geometrica. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 45 (10), 1705-1743. doi: 10.1071/CH9921705
1992
Journal Article
Psammopemmins (a-C), Novel Brominated 4-Hydroxyindole Alkaloids From An Antarctic Sponge, Psammopemma Sp
Butler, MS, Capon, RJ and Lu, CC (1992). Psammopemmins (a-C), Novel Brominated 4-Hydroxyindole Alkaloids From An Antarctic Sponge, Psammopemma Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 45 (11), 1871-1877. doi: 10.1071/CH9921871
1992
Journal Article
Conulosins (A and B): Novel norsesterterpene acids from an australian marine sponge, latrunculia conulosa
Butler, Mark S. and Capon, Robert J. (1992). Conulosins (A and B): Novel norsesterterpene acids from an australian marine sponge, latrunculia conulosa. Natural Product Letters, 1 (3), 171-178. doi: 10.1080/10575639208048908
1992
Journal Article
Cometins (A-C), New Furanosesterterpenes From An Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia Sp
Urban, S and Capon, RJ (1992). Cometins (A-C), New Furanosesterterpenes From An Australian Marine Sponge, Spongia Sp. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 45 (8), 1255-1263. doi: 10.1071/CH9921255
1991
Journal Article
A New Brominated Biindole From An Australian Cyanobacterium, Rivularia-Firma
Hodder, AR and Capon, RJ (1991). A New Brominated Biindole From An Australian Cyanobacterium, Rivularia-Firma. Journal of Natural Products, 54 (6), 1661-1663. doi: 10.1021/np50078a028
1991
Journal Article
A Novel Brominated Lipid From An Australian Cyanobacterium, Lyngbya Sp
Hodder, AR and Capon, RJ (1991). A Novel Brominated Lipid From An Australian Cyanobacterium, Lyngbya Sp. Journal of Natural Products, 54 (6), 1668-1671. doi: 10.1021/np50078a030
1991
Journal Article
Identification and Significance of 3-Beta-Ethyl Steranes in Sediments and Petroleum
Summons, RE and Capon, RJ (1991). Identification and Significance of 3-Beta-Ethyl Steranes in Sediments and Petroleum. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 55 (8), 2391-2395. doi: 10.1016/0016-7037(91)90116-M
1991
Journal Article
Aromatic Bisabolenes From An Australian Marine Sponge, Arenochalina Sp
Butler, MS, Capon, RJ, Nadeson, R and Beveridge, AA (1991). Aromatic Bisabolenes From An Australian Marine Sponge, Arenochalina Sp. Journal of Natural Products, 54 (2), 619-623. doi: 10.1021/np50074a048
1991
Journal Article
Alkyl and Alkenyl Resorcinols From An Australian Marine Sponge, Haliclona Sp (Haplosclerida, Haliclonidae)
Barrow, RA and Capon, RJ (1991). Alkyl and Alkenyl Resorcinols From An Australian Marine Sponge, Haliclona Sp (Haplosclerida, Haliclonidae). Australian Journal of Chemistry, 44 (10), 1393-1405. doi: 10.1071/CH9911393
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Rob Capon is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy The discovery of new antibiotics to combat drug resistancePrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Dr Jianying Han 
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Doctor Philosophy Medicinal chemistry of new Nature-inspired treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)Principal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Associate Professor Jakob Begun 
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Doctor Philosophy Novel assays for antibiotic discoveryAssociate Advisor Other advisors: Professor Waldemar Vollmer 
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Doctor Philosophy Novel antibacterials from nature targeting the bacterial cell envelopeAssociate Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil, Professor Waldemar Vollmer 
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Master Philosophy Exploring Australian marine microbes for novel natural productsAssociate Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil, Dr Angela Salim 
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Doctor Philosophy Dissecting the bacterial cell envelope for antibiotic drug discoveryAssociate Advisor Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti, Professor Waldemar Vollmer 
Completed supervision
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2025 Doctor Philosophy New antiparasitics to protect Australian livestockPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2024 Doctor Philosophy Microbial Biodiscovery: Exploring the Natural Products of Australian microorganismsPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2023 Doctor Philosophy Applying Advanced Molecular Networking Techniques to Explore Chemical Diversity of Australian MicrobesPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2023 Doctor Philosophy Microbial biodiscovery from Australian marine-derived and Venezuelan quartz-rich cave-derived microorganisms.Principal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2022 Doctor Philosophy Microbial Biodiversity: Expanding acess to microbial chemical diversity using new techniquesPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2022 Doctor Philosophy Global Natural Product Social Molecular Network Guided Australian Microbial BiodiscoveryPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2022 Doctor Philosophy Microbial Biodiscovery: Integrated technologies to explore chemical potential of Australian microbesPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2021 Doctor Philosophy Microbial Biodiversity: Exploring Australian Microbial Natural ProductsPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2021 Doctor Philosophy Applying Molecular Networking to Natural Products ChemistryPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2019 Doctor Philosophy Exploring the Natural Products of Australian Sheep Coprophilous FungiPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2019 Doctor Philosophy Fungal Biodiscovery: Strategies to Explore Fungal Secondary Metabolite PotentialPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2019 Doctor Philosophy Adventures in Australian Microbial BiodiscoveryPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2017 Doctor Philosophy Marine Biodiversity: Exploring Bioactive Chemical SpacePrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2016 Doctor Philosophy Microbial Chemical Diversity: Strategies to Stimulate Microbial Secondary Metabolite PotentialPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil 
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2016 Doctor Philosophy Unveiling the Chemical Diversity of Marine Intertidal Fungal CommunitiesPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2016 Doctor Philosophy Microbial biodiscovery: Exploring venomous animal associated microbes as sources of new chemical diversityPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim 
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2014 Doctor Philosophy Discovery of Novel, Potent and Selective Glycine Receptor Modulators from Southern Australian Marine SpongesPrincipal Advisor 
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2013 Doctor Philosophy Biodiscovery Search for Marine-Derived Inhibitors of P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 as a Means to Improve Cancer ChemotherapyPrincipal Advisor Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton, Dr Angela Salim 
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2013 Doctor Philosophy Innovations in Microbial Biodiscovery, Targeting Silent Metabolism and New Chemical DiversityPrincipal Advisor 
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2012 Doctor Philosophy Technology and Biodiscovery: Using Modern Technologies and Methods to Tackle the challenges of BiodiscoveryPrincipal Advisor 
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2012 Doctor Philosophy Bioassay-Guided and Computer-Aided Investigation of Marine-Derived Kinase Inhibitors: Applications to Control Neurodegenerative Disorders.Principal Advisor 
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2012 Doctor Philosophy Synthesis and Stereochemical studies towards Bioactive Marine ScaffoldsPrincipal Advisor 
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2011 Doctor Philosophy Exploring the Chemical Diversity of Australian and Fijian Marine MicrobesPrincipal Advisor 
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2006 Doctor Philosophy STUDIES ON THE CHEMISTRY OF AUSTRALIAN MICROBESPrincipal Advisor 
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Doctor Philosophy CHEMISTRY AND BIOACTIVITY STUDIES OF AUSTRALIAN MICROORGANISMSPrincipal Advisor 
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2016 Doctor Philosophy Biodiscovery of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their role in plant-microbe interactionsAssociate Advisor Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil, Dr Lilia Carvalhais 
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2011 Doctor Philosophy Identification and Characterization of New Compounds Targeting Glycine Receptor Chloride Channels in Pain Sensory PathwaysAssociate Advisor 
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2010 Doctor Philosophy Developing a sense of self: exploring the evolution of immune and allorecognition mechanisms in metazoans, using the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandicaAssociate Advisor Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barnes, Professor Bernard Degnan 
Media
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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