Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler
Associate Professor

Markus Muttenthaler

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62982

Background

Associate Professor Muttenthaler is a medicinal chemist working at the interface of chemistry and biology with a strong passion for translational research. His research focuses on bioactive peptides and exploring Nature's biodiversity to develop advanced molecular tools, diagnostics, and therapeutics. His background in drug discovery and development, as well as his interdisciplinary training in the fields of chemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology, assist him in characterising these often highly potent and selective compounds to study their interactions with human physiology for medical innovations in pain, cancer, gut disorders and neurological diseases.

Availability

Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biochemistry and cell biology Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Chemical Sciences Medical biochemistry - amino acids and metabolites Medical biochemistry - proteins and peptides (incl. medical proteomics) Medical biochemistry and metabolomics Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemical synthesis Organic chemistry Proteins and peptides Receptors and membrane biology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Technische Universität Wien
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, Technische Universität Wien
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Neuropeptide Chemistry and Biology

  • Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

  • Peptide Drug Discovery and Development

  • Oxytocin and Vasopressin Research

  • Venom Peptide Drug Discovery

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • Molecular Probe Development

  • Intranasal Peptide Delivery

  • Peptide Chemistry

  • Gastrointestinal wound healing

  • Breast Cancer

  • Multivalent Peptide Dendrimers

  • Selenochemistry

Research impacts

Peptides are key mediators in many biological functions and understanding of their interaction with target proteins is fundamental to unravel the underlying mechanism of diseases. Over the years, an increasing number of bioactive peptides from animals, plants, and bacteria have been characterised, with the overwhelming realisation that these molecules often show better therapeutic performance than their human counterparts, particularly in terms of in vivo stability. The main research efforts situated in this field of Chemical Biology focus on the exploration and translation of these vast and untapped natural libraries towards the development of useful research tools and therapeutics. Solid-phase peptide synthesis, the main tool to access these compounds, is a powerful technology for the assembly and chemical modification of these highly chiral and structurally complex peptides. This complexity is also responsible for their remarkable selectivity and potency as well as for their low side effect profile observed in the clinic.

Search Professor Markus Muttenthaler’s works on UQ eSpace

86 works between 2005 and 2025
All (86) Journal Article (61) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (20) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 86 works

2025

Journal Article

The structural integrity of human TFF1 under reducing conditions

Elmaci, Dilsah Nur, Hopping, Gene, Hoffmann, Werner, Muttenthaler, Markus and Stein, Matthias (2025). The structural integrity of human TFF1 under reducing conditions. Redox Biology, 81 103534, 103534. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2025.103534

The structural integrity of human TFF1 under reducing conditions

2024

Journal Article

Oxytocin analogues for the oral treatment of abdominal pain

Kremsmayr, Thomas, Schober, Gudrun, Kaltenböck, Matthias, Hoare, Bradley L, Brierley, Stuart M and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Oxytocin analogues for the oral treatment of abdominal pain. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63 (52) e202415333, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/anie.202415333

Oxytocin analogues for the oral treatment of abdominal pain

2024

Journal Article

Introducing… Markus Muttenthaler

Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Introducing… Markus Muttenthaler. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition. doi: 10.1002/anie.202420694

Introducing… Markus Muttenthaler

2024

Journal Article

Oxytocin Verbindungen zur oralen Behandlung von Bauchschmerzen

Kremsmayr, Thomas, Schober, Gudrun, Kaltenböck, Matthias, Hoare, Bradley L., Brierley, Stuart M. and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Oxytocin Verbindungen zur oralen Behandlung von Bauchschmerzen. Angewandte Chemie, 136 (52). doi: 10.1002/ange.202415333

Oxytocin Verbindungen zur oralen Behandlung von Bauchschmerzen

2024

Book Chapter

Recent trends in peptide drug discovery and development

Madge, H. Y. R. and Muttenthaler, M. (2024). Recent trends in peptide drug discovery and development. Sustainability in tides chemistry. (pp. 23-49) edited by Alessandra Tolomelli, Lucia Ferrazzano and Walter Cabri. London, United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry. doi: 10.1039/9781837674541-00023

Recent trends in peptide drug discovery and development

2024

Conference Publication

Development of gut-restricted antibiofilm peptides to target gastrointestinal biofilms

Jandl, B., Lang, M., Makristathis, A., Gasche, C. and Muttenthaler, M. (2024). Development of gut-restricted antibiofilm peptides to target gastrointestinal biofilms. HOBOKEN: The European Peptide Society. doi: 10.17952/37eps.2024.p1134

Development of gut-restricted antibiofilm peptides to target gastrointestinal biofilms

2024

Conference Publication

Chemical strategies to tune potency, selectivity and stability of venom peptides

Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Chemical strategies to tune potency, selectivity and stability of venom peptides. IST World Congress 2024, Singapore, 20 - 25 May 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108028

Chemical strategies to tune potency, selectivity and stability of venom peptides

2024

Journal Article

Novel Diacyl-hydrazide Compounds as Potential Therapeutics for Visceral Leishmaniasis

Jandl, Bernhard, Zheng, Rebecca, Muttenthaler, Markus and Baell, Jonathan (2024). Novel Diacyl-hydrazide Compounds as Potential Therapeutics for Visceral Leishmaniasis. ACS Omega, 9 (35), 37170-37182. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.4c04517

Novel Diacyl-hydrazide Compounds as Potential Therapeutics for Visceral Leishmaniasis

2024

Conference Publication

Development of an equipotent NaV1.1 and NaV1.7 inhibitor for the treatment of chronic visceral pain

Eagles, David, King, Glenn, Cardoso, Fernanda, Muttenthaler, Markus and Brierley, Stuart (2024). Development of an equipotent NaV1.1 and NaV1.7 inhibitor for the treatment of chronic visceral pain. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25 - 29 August 2024. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley.

Development of an equipotent NaV1.1 and NaV1.7 inhibitor for the treatment of chronic visceral pain

2024

Journal Article

Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities

Jandl, Bernhard, Dighe, Satish, Gasche, Christoph, Makristathis, Athanasios and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 37 (3) e0013323, e0013323. doi: 10.1128/cmr.00133-23

Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities

2024

Journal Article

Gastrointestinal biofilms – Endoscopic detection, disease relevance and therapeutic strategies

Jandl, Bernhard, Dighe, Satish, Baumgartner, Maximillian, Makristathis, Athanasios, Gasche, Christoph and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Gastrointestinal biofilms – Endoscopic detection, disease relevance and therapeutic strategies. Gastroenterology, 167 (6), 1098-1112. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.04.032

Gastrointestinal biofilms – Endoscopic detection, disease relevance and therapeutic strategies

2024

Journal Article

Oxytocin and vasopressin signaling in health and disease

Perisic, Monika, Woolcock, Katrina, Hering, Anke, Mendel, Helen and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Oxytocin and vasopressin signaling in health and disease. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 49 (4), 361-377. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.010

Oxytocin and vasopressin signaling in health and disease

2024

Journal Article

Targeting the oxytocin receptor for breast cancer management: a niche for peptide tracers

Kalaba, Predrag, Sanchez de la Rosa, Cristina, Möller, Andreas, Alewood, Paul F. and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Targeting the oxytocin receptor for breast cancer management: a niche for peptide tracers. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67 (3), 1625-1640. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01089

Targeting the oxytocin receptor for breast cancer management: a niche for peptide tracers

2024

Journal Article

Archaea influence composition of endoscopically visible ileocolonic biofilms

Orgler, Elisabeth, Baumgartner, Maximilian, Duller, Stefanie, Kumptisch, Christina, Hausmann, Bela, Moser, Doris, Khare, Vineeta, Lang, Michaela, Köcher, Thomas, Frick, Adrian, Muttenthaler, Markus, Makristathis, Athanasios, Moissl-Eichinger, Christine and Gasche, Christoph (2024). Archaea influence composition of endoscopically visible ileocolonic biofilms. Gut Microbes, 16 (1) 2359500. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2359500

Archaea influence composition of endoscopically visible ileocolonic biofilms

2023

Journal Article

Design and structural validation of peptide–drug conjugate ligands of the kappa-opioid receptor

Muratspahić, Edin, Deibler, Kristine, Han, Jianming, Tomašević, Nataša, Jadhav, Kirtikumar B., Olivé-Marti, Aina-Leonor, Hochrainer, Nadine, Hellinger, Roland, Koehbach, Johannes, Fay, Jonathan F., Rahman, Mohammad Homaidur, Hegazy, Lamees, Craven, Timothy W., Varga, Balazs R., Bhardwaj, Gaurav, Appourchaux, Kevin, Majumdar, Susruta, Muttenthaler, Markus, Hosseinzadeh, Parisa, Craik, David J., Spetea, Mariana, Che, Tao, Baker, David and Gruber, Christian W. (2023). Design and structural validation of peptide–drug conjugate ligands of the kappa-opioid receptor. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 8064, 1-17. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-43718-w

Design and structural validation of peptide–drug conjugate ligands of the kappa-opioid receptor

2023

Journal Article

Photoswitchable probes of oxytocin and vasopressin

Wirth, Ulrike, Raabe, Konstantin, Kalaba, Predrag, Keimpema, Erik, Muttenthaler, Markus and König, Burkhard (2023). Photoswitchable probes of oxytocin and vasopressin. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (21), 14853-14865. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01415

Photoswitchable probes of oxytocin and vasopressin

2023

Conference Publication

Development and application of fluorescent oxytocin receptor tracers

Perisic, Ms Monika, Kalaba, Predrag, Keimpema, Erik, Muttenthaler, Markus and Gruber, Christian (2023). Development and application of fluorescent oxytocin receptor tracers. 19th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP), Glasgow Scotland, Jul 02-07, 2023. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

Development and application of fluorescent oxytocin receptor tracers

2022

Journal Article

Expanding the versatility and scope of the oxime ligation: rapid bioconjugation to disulfide-rich peptides

Hering, Anke, Braga Emidio, Nayara and Muttenthaler, Markus (2022). Expanding the versatility and scope of the oxime ligation: rapid bioconjugation to disulfide-rich peptides. Chemical Communications, 58 (65), 9100-9103. doi: 10.1039/d2cc03752a

Expanding the versatility and scope of the oxime ligation: rapid bioconjugation to disulfide-rich peptides

2022

Journal Article

High oxytocin receptor expression linked to increased cell migration and reduced survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Liu, Huiping and Muttenthaler, Markus (2022). High oxytocin receptor expression linked to increased cell migration and reduced survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Biomedicines, 10 (7) 1595, 1-20. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10071595

High oxytocin receptor expression linked to increased cell migration and reduced survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

2022

Journal Article

Approaches to improve the quantitation of oxytocin in human serum by mass spectrometry

Hering, Anke, Jieu, Beverly, Jones, Alun and Muttenthaler, Markus (2022). Approaches to improve the quantitation of oxytocin in human serum by mass spectrometry. Frontiers in Chemistry, 10 889154, 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2022.889154

Approaches to improve the quantitation of oxytocin in human serum by mass spectrometry

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Intestinal Biofilms - New opportunities in diagnosing and treating gut disorders
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Super-resolution platform to accelerate biological and molecular research
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Investigating gastrointestinal biofilms regarding biochemistry and links with clinical manifestations (2023 MSHRSS Co-funded Collaboration Grant led by MSH)
    Metro South Research Support Scheme Co-funded Collaboration Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Venom-derived blood-brain-barrier shuttles
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019
    Chemical Purification Network
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    In vivo imaging system for tracking inflammation, infection, cancer, pain and bioactive molecules
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Development of oxytocin receptor specific tracers for improved breast cancer management
    Cancer Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Development of oxytocin receptor specific tracers for improved breast cancer management
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Multichannel peptide synthesiser to accelerate UQ's biodiscovery pipeline and peptide drug development programs
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    Understanding biological pathways underlying social behaviour in humans (ARC Linkage Project administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Novel therapeutic approaches to improve gastrointestinal wound healing - GUTPEPTIDES
    University of Vienna
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Mapping the location and function of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors throughout the gut
    Ferring Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Gastrointestinal wound healing as a therapeutic approach to treat gastrointestinal disorders
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Intranasal Oxytocin - does it reach the central nervous system ?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Individual function and social role of oxytocin-like neuropeptides in ants
    Medical University of Vienna
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of venom-derived blood-brain barrier shuttles

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Johan Rosengren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Medicinal chemistry strategies to remove bacterial biofilms associated with gastrointestinal disorders

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Targeting bacterial biofilms in patients with gastrointestinal disorders

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Venom-derived peptides to study heart function and treat cardiovasculardisease

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Nathan Palpant

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Discovery and development of highly stable venom-derived peptide drug leads.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Johan Rosengren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular probes to study the role of OTR in health and disease

    Principal Advisor

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler directly for media enquiries about:

  • bioactive peptides
  • chemical biology
  • cone snails
  • conotoxins
  • drug discovery and development
  • medicinal chemistry
  • neuropeptides
  • oxytocin
  • peptide and protein synthesis
  • vasopressin
  • venoms

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