
Overview
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
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Technische Universität Wien
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, Technische Universität Wien
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Neuropeptide Chemistry and Biology
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Biological and Medicinal Chemistry
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Peptide Drug Discovery and Development
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Oxytocin and Vasopressin Research
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Venom Peptide Drug Discovery
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Gastrointestinal Disorders
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Molecular Probe Development
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Intranasal Peptide Delivery
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Peptide Chemistry
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Gastrointestinal wound healing
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Breast Cancer
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Multivalent Peptide Dendrimers
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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.
Works
Search Professor Markus Muttenthaler’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
An Efficient Thiol‐ene Mediated Protocol for Thiolated Peptide Synthesis and On‐Resin Diversification
Ostrovitsa, Nikita, Williams, Conor, Raabe, Konstantin, McLean, Joshua T., Muttenthaler, Markus and Scanlan, Eoin M. (2025). An Efficient Thiol‐ene Mediated Protocol for Thiolated Peptide Synthesis and On‐Resin Diversification. Chemistry – A European Journal, 31 (36) e202501372, e202501372. doi: 10.1002/chem.202501372
2025
Other Outputs
Oxytocin receptor tracer
Perisic, Monika, Kalaba, Predrag, Gruber, Christian W., Keimpema, Erik and Muttenthaler, Markus (2025). Oxytocin receptor tracer. EP25181359.
2025
Journal Article
Effects of Arginine Vasopressin on Islet Cells in Pancreatic Tissue Slices: Glucose-Dependent Modulation of IP3 Receptor-Specific Responses
Kerčmar, Jasmina, Murko, Nastja, Bombek, Lidija Križančić, Leitgeb, Eva Paradiž, Pfabe, Johannes, Postić, Sandra, Huang, Ya-Chi, Stožer, Andraž, Korošak, Dean, Kozisek, Xaver, Perisic, Monika, Muttenthaler, Markus, Gruber, Christian W. and Kupnik, Marjan Slak (2025). Effects of Arginine Vasopressin on Islet Cells in Pancreatic Tissue Slices: Glucose-Dependent Modulation of IP3 Receptor-Specific Responses. BioRxiv, 1-33. doi: 10.1101/2025.03.03.641205
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
2025
Journal Article
Oxytocin receptor and HER2 interactions in breast cancer
Liu, Huiping, Liu, Liying, Möller, Andreas and Muttenthaler, Markus (2025). Oxytocin receptor and HER2 interactions in breast cancer. BioRxiv, 1-17. doi: 10.1101/2025.03.09.642136
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
2024
Journal Article
Introducing… Markus Muttenthaler
Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Introducing… Markus Muttenthaler. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition. doi: 10.1002/anie.202420694
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
2024
Journal Article
CME exam 1: gastrointestinal biofilms: endoscopic detection, disease relevance, and therapeutic strategies
Muttenthaler, M., Gasche, C., Baumgartner, M. and Jandl, B. (2024). CME exam 1: gastrointestinal biofilms: endoscopic detection, disease relevance, and therapeutic strategies. Gastroenterology, 167 (6), e1-e3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.08.019
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
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. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25– 29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.17952/37eps.2024.p1134
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
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. 22nd World Congress of the International-Society-of-Toxinology (IST), Singapore, 20-25 May 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
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
2024
Conference Publication
Advanced molecular tools to study the oxytocin receptor
Perisic, Monika, Kalaba, Predrag, Keimpema, Erik, Gruber, Christian W. and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Advanced molecular tools to study the oxytocin receptor. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25 - 29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Conference Publication
New avenues in oral peptide drug development for gut disorders
Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). New avenues in oral peptide drug development for gut disorders. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25 - 29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Conference Publication
Photocontrollable probes for the investigation of neuropeptide signalling
Raabe, Konstantin, Kalaba, Predrag, Yong, Xuan Ling Hilary, Keimpema, Erik, Anggono, Victor and Muttenthaler, Markus (2024). Photocontrollable probes for the investigation of neuropeptide signalling. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25 - 29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
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.
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Oxytocin and Vasopressin Research
Please contact Dr Muttenthaler directly for further details
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Venom peptide drug discovery
Please contact Dr Muttenthaler directly for further details.
-
Breast Cancer
Please contact Dr Muttenthaler directly for further details.
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Ligand design and chemical synthesis
Project for interns or summer student.
Please contact Dr Muttenthaler directly for further details.
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Gastrointestinal wound healing
Please contact Dr Muttenthaler directly for further details.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Targeting bacterial biofilms in patients with gastrointestinal disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich
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Doctor Philosophy
Venom-derived peptides to study heart function and treat cardiovasculardisease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nathan Palpant
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Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and development of highly stable venom-derived peptide drug leads.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Johan Rosengren
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Doctor Philosophy
Molecular probes to study the role of OTR in health and disease
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of venom-derived blood-brain barrier shuttles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Johan Rosengren
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Doctor Philosophy
Medicinal chemistry strategies to remove bacterial biofilms associated with gastrointestinal disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Venom Components as Analgesics and Pharmacological Tools to Elucidate Mammalian Pain Signalling Pathways
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fernanda Cardoso, Professor Glenn King
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Novel mechanistic insights into oxytocin receptor signalling in breast cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting the oxytocin receptor for breast cancer imaging
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Trefoil factor family: chemical synthesis, mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal disorders
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Mining for neuropeptides: A bioinformatic and biochemical approach to characterise neuropeptides in animal venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Detecting Oxytocin: Mass spectrometry and PET-tracer development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of the venom of the Estuarine Stonefish, Synanceia horrida
Associate Advisor
Media
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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