
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
-
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.
Works
Search Professor Rob Capon’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Journal Article
Talarazines A-E: noncytotoxic iron(III) chelators from an Australian mud dauber wasp-associated fungus, Talaromyces sp. (CMB-W045)
Kalansuriya, Pabasara, Quezada, Michelle, Esposito, Breno P. and Capon, Robert J. (2017). Talarazines A-E: noncytotoxic iron(III) chelators from an Australian mud dauber wasp-associated fungus, Talaromyces sp. (CMB-W045). Journal of Natural Products, 80 (3), 609-615. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00889
2017
Journal Article
Small-molecule inhibitors of the SOX18 transcription factor
Fontaine, Frank, Overman, Jeroen, Moustaqil, Mehdi, Mamidyala, Sreeman, Salim, Angela, Narasimhan, Kamesh, Prokoph, Nina, Robertson, Avril A. B., Lua, Linda, Alexandrov, Kirill, Koopman, Peter, Capon, Robert J., Sierecki, Emma, Gambin, Yann, Jauch, Ralf, Cooper, Matthew A., Zuegg, Johannes and Francois, Mathias (2017). Small-molecule inhibitors of the SOX18 transcription factor. Chemistry Chemical Biology, 24 (3), 346-359. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.01.003
2017
Journal Article
Pharmacological targeting of the transcription factor SOX18 delays breast cancer in mice
Overman, Jeroen, Fontaine, Frank, Moustaqil, Mehdi, Mittal, Deepak, Sierecki, Emma, Sacilotto, Natalia, Zuegg, Johannes, Robertson, Avril A. B., Holmes, Kelly, Salim, Angela A., Mamidyala, Sreeman, Butler, Mark S., Robinson, Ashley S., Lesieur, Emmanuelle, Johnston, Wayne, Alexandrov, Kirill, Black, Brian L., Hogan, Benjamin M., De Val, Sarah, Capon, Robert J., Carroll, Jason S., Bailey, Timothy L., Koopman, Peter, Jauch, Ralf, Smyth, Mark J., Cooper, Matthew A., Gambin, Yann and Francois, Mathias (2017). Pharmacological targeting of the transcription factor SOX18 delays breast cancer in mice. eLife, 6 e21221. doi: 10.7554/eLife.21221
2017
Book Chapter
Nuclear magnetic resonance case studies in marine natural products
Salim, Angela A., Piggott, Andrew M. and Capon, Robert J. (2017). Nuclear magnetic resonance case studies in marine natural products. Modern NMR Approaches to the Structure Elucidation of Natural Products: Volume 2: Data Acquisition and Applications to Compound Classes. (pp. 403-439) edited by Antony J. Williams, Gary E. Martin and David Rovnyak. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry. doi: 10.1039/9781849734684-00403
2017
Journal Article
New weapons in the toad toolkit: a review of methods to control and mitigate the biodiversity impacts of invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina)
Tingley, Reid, Ward-Fear, Georgia, Schwarzkopf, Lin, Greenlees, Matthew J., Phillips, Benjamin L., Brown, Gregory, Clulow, Simon, Webb, Jonathan, Capon, Robert, Sheppard, Andy, Strive, Tanja, Tizard, Mark and Shine, Richard (2017). New weapons in the toad toolkit: a review of methods to control and mitigate the biodiversity impacts of invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). Quarterly Review of Biology, 92 (2), 123-149. doi: 10.1086/692167
2017
Conference Publication
2D C3 Marfey’s method for amino acid analysis and structure elucidation in peptidic natural products
Dewapriya, Pradeep, Prasad, Pritesh, Khalil, Zeinab G. and Capon, Robert J. (2017). 2D C3 Marfey’s method for amino acid analysis and structure elucidation in peptidic natural products. Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 27 November 2017.
2017
Book Chapter
Nuclear magnetic resonance case studies in microbial natural products
Piggott, Andrew M., Salim, Angela A. and Capon, Robert J. (2017). Nuclear magnetic resonance case studies in microbial natural products. Modern NMR Approaches to the Structure Elucidation of Natural Products: Volume 2: Data Acquisition and Applications to Compound Classes. (pp. 440-485) edited by Antony J. Williams, Gary E. Martin and David Rovnyak. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry. doi: 10.1039/9781849734684-00440
2017
Conference Publication
Talarolide A, a cyclic heptapeptide hydroxamate from an Australian marine tunicate-associated fungus, Talaromyces sp.
Dewapriya, Pradeep, Prasad, Pritesh, Damodar, Rakesh, Salim, Angela A. and Capon, Robert J. (2017). Talarolide A, a cyclic heptapeptide hydroxamate from an Australian marine tunicate-associated fungus, Talaromyces sp.. 2nd International Conference of Marine Fungal Natural Products, Kiel, Germany, 27-29 June 2017.
2016
Journal Article
Double adjuvanting strategy for peptide-based vaccines: trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles for lipopeptide delivery
Marasini, Nirmal, Giddam, Ashwini K., Khalil, Zeinab G., Hussein, Waleed M., Capon, Robert J., Batzloff, Michael R., Good, Michael F., Toth, Istvan and Skwarczynski, Mariusz (2016). Double adjuvanting strategy for peptide-based vaccines: trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles for lipopeptide delivery. Nanomedicine, 11 (24), 3223-3235. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2016-0291
2016
Journal Article
AMPK and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling regulates K-Ras plasma membrane interactions via cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase 2
Cho, Kwang-Jin, Casteel, Darren E., Prakash, Priyanka, Tan, Lingxiao, van der Hoeven, Dharini, Angela Salim, Kim, Choel, Capon, Robert J., Lacey, Ernest, Cunha, Shane R., Gorfe, Alemayehu A. and Hancock, John F. (2016). AMPK and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling regulates K-Ras plasma membrane interactions via cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase 2. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 36 (24), 3086-3099. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00365-16
2016
Journal Article
Lipid core peptide/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as a highly potent intranasal vaccine delivery system against Group A streptococcus
Marasini, Nirmal, Khalil, Zeinab G., Giddam, Ashwini K., Abdul Ghaffar, Khairunnisa, Hussein, Waleed M., Capon, Robert J., Batzloff, Michael R., Good, Michael F., Skwarczynski, Mariusz and Toth, Istvan (2016). Lipid core peptide/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as a highly potent intranasal vaccine delivery system against Group A streptococcus. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 513 (1-2), 410-420. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.09.057
2016
Journal Article
Linear and branched polyacrylates as a delivery platform for peptide-based vaccines
Chandrudu, Saranya, Bartlett, Stacey, Khalil, Zeinab G., Jia, Zhongfan, Hussein, Waleed M., Capon, Robert J., Batzloff, Michael R., Good, Michael F., Monteiro, Michael J., Skwarczynski, Mariusz and Toth, Istvan (2016). Linear and branched polyacrylates as a delivery platform for peptide-based vaccines. Therapeutic Delivery, 7 (9), 601-609. doi: 10.4155/tde-2016-0037
2016
Journal Article
Structure revision of the Penicillium alkaloids haenamindole and citreoindole
Song, Fuhang, He, Hongtao, Ma, Rong, Xiao, Xue, Wei, Qi, Wang, Qinqin, Ji, Zengchun, Dai, Huanqin, Zhang, Lixin and Capon, Robert J. (2016). Structure revision of the Penicillium alkaloids haenamindole and citreoindole. Tetrahedron Letters, 57 (34), 3851-3852. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2016.07.049
2016
Journal Article
Variation in chemical defense among natural populations of common toad, Bufo bufo, tadpoles: the role of environmental factors
Bokony, Veronika, Moricz, Agnes M., Toth, Zsofia, Gal, Zoltan, Kurali, Aniko, Miko, Zsanett, Pasztor, Katalin, Szederkenyi, Mark, Toth, Zoltan, Ujszegi, Janos, Uveges, Balint, Kruzselyi, Daniel, Capon, Robert J., Hoi, Herbert and Hettyey, Attila (2016). Variation in chemical defense among natural populations of common toad, Bufo bufo, tadpoles: the role of environmental factors. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 42 (4), 329-338. doi: 10.1007/s10886-016-0690-2
2016
Journal Article
Choose your weaponry: selective storage of a single toxic compound, Latrunculin A, by closely related nudibranch molluscs
Cheney, Karen L., White, Andrew, Mudianta, I. Wayan, Winters, Anne E., Quezada, Michelle, Capon, Robert J., Mollo, Ernesto and Garson, Mary J. (2016). Choose your weaponry: selective storage of a single toxic compound, Latrunculin A, by closely related nudibranch molluscs. PLoS One, 11 (1) A1222, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145134
2016
Journal Article
Synchronous intramolecular cycloadditions of the polyene macrolactam polyketide heronamide C
Booth, Thomas J., Alt, Silke, Capon, Robert J. and Wilkinson, Barrie (2016). Synchronous intramolecular cycloadditions of the polyene macrolactam polyketide heronamide C. Chemical Communications, 52 (38), 6383-6386. doi: 10.1039/c6cc01930g
2015
Journal Article
New PKS-NRPS tetramic acids and pyridinone from an Australian marine-derived fungus, Chaunopycnis sp.
Shang, Zhuo, Li, Li, Esposito, Breno P., Salim, Angela A., Khalil, Zeinab G., Quezada, Michelle, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Capon, Robert J. (2015). New PKS-NRPS tetramic acids and pyridinone from an Australian marine-derived fungus, Chaunopycnis sp.. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 13 (28), 7795-7802. doi: 10.1039/c5ob01058f
2015
Journal Article
Aranciamycins I and J, Antimycobacterial Anthracyclines from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.
Khalil, Zeinab G., Raju, Ritesh, Piggott, Andrew M., Salim, Angela A., Blumenthal, Antje and Capon, Robert J. (2015). Aranciamycins I and J, Antimycobacterial Anthracyclines from an Australian marine-derived Streptomyces sp.. Journal of Natural Products, 78 (4), 949-952. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00095
2015
Journal Article
Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-dragmacidin D reveals unexpected stereocomplexity
Zhang, Fengying, Wang, Bin, Prasad, Pritesh, Capon, Robert J. and Jia, Yanxing (2015). Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-dragmacidin D reveals unexpected stereocomplexity. Organic Letters, 17 (6), 1529-1532. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5b00327
2015
Journal Article
Atropselective syntheses of (-) and (+) rugulotrosin A utilizing point-to-axial chirality transfer
Qin, Tian, Skraba-Joiner, Sarah L., Khalil, Zeinab G., Johnson, Richard P., Capon, Robert J. and Porco, John A. Jr (2015). Atropselective syntheses of (-) and (+) rugulotrosin A utilizing point-to-axial chirality transfer. Nature Chemistry, 7 (3), 234-240. doi: 10.1038/nchem.2173
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
The discovery of new antibiotics to combat drug resistance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Dr Jianying Han
-
Doctor Philosophy
Medicinal chemistry of new Nature-inspired treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Dr Zeinab Khalil, Associate Professor Jakob Begun
-
Doctor Philosophy
New antiparasitics to protect Australian livestock
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
Doctor Philosophy
New antiparasitics to protect Australian livestock
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
Doctor Philosophy
Dissecting the bacterial cell envelope for antibiotic drug discovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Ariotti, Professor Waldemar Vollmer
-
Master Philosophy
Exploring Australian Marine Microbial Bioresources for Novel Therapeutic Agent
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil, Dr Angela Salim
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel assays for antibiotic discovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Waldemar Vollmer
-
Doctor Philosophy
Towards the sustainable discovery and development of new antibiotics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim, Dr Zeinab Khalil
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Biodiscovery: Exploring the Natural Products of Australian microorganisms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Applying Advanced Molecular Networking Techniques to Explore Chemical Diversity of Australian Microbes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial biodiscovery from Australian marine-derived and Venezuelan quartz-rich cave-derived microorganisms.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Biodiversity: Expanding acess to microbial chemical diversity using new techniques
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Global Natural Product Social Molecular Network Guided Australian Microbial Biodiscovery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Biodiscovery: Integrated technologies to explore chemical potential of Australian microbes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Biodiversity: Exploring Australian Microbial Natural Products
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Applying Molecular Networking to Natural Products Chemistry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Natural Products of Australian Sheep Coprophilous Fungi
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Fungal Biodiscovery: Strategies to Explore Fungal Secondary Metabolite Potential
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Adventures in Australian Microbial Biodiscovery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Marine Biodiversity: Exploring Bioactive Chemical Space
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Chemical Diversity: Strategies to Stimulate Microbial Secondary Metabolite Potential
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Unveiling the Chemical Diversity of Marine Intertidal Fungal Communities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial biodiscovery: Exploring venomous animal associated microbes as sources of new chemical diversity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Salim
-
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery of Novel, Potent and Selective Glycine Receptor Modulators from Southern Australian Marine Sponges
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Innovations in Microbial Biodiscovery, Targeting Silent Metabolism and New Chemical Diversity
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiscovery Search for Marine-Derived Inhibitors of P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 as a Means to Improve Cancer Chemotherapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton, Dr Angela Salim
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Bioassay-Guided and Computer-Aided Investigation of Marine-Derived Kinase Inhibitors: Applications to Control Neurodegenerative Disorders.
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Technology and Biodiscovery: Using Modern Technologies and Methods to Tackle the challenges of Biodiscovery
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis and Stereochemical studies towards Bioactive Marine Scaffolds
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Chemical Diversity of Australian and Fijian Marine Microbes
Principal Advisor
-
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
STUDIES ON THE CHEMISTRY OF AUSTRALIAN MICROBES
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
CHEMISTRY AND BIOACTIVITY STUDIES OF AUSTRALIAN MICROORGANISMS
Principal Advisor
-
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiscovery of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their role in plant-microbe interactions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zeinab Khalil, Dr Lilia Carvalhais
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and Characterization of New Compounds Targeting Glycine Receptor Chloride Channels in Pain Sensory Pathways
Associate Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Developing a sense of self: exploring the evolution of immune and allorecognition mechanisms in metazoans, using the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Associate 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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: