Dr Nicole Lawrence
Dr

Nicole Lawrence

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 36298

Background

My research focuses on using host defence molecules as the basis for designing peptide-based drugs with improved safety and reduced likelihood of drug resistance to combat infectious disease caused by pathogenic bacteria and malaria parasites. Zooming in to investigate molecular interactions at the cell surface and inside infected cells allows me to describe and refine how drug candidates overcome disease organisms to produce the next generation of antimicrobial drugs.

Availability

Dr Nicole Lawrence is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Microbiology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Developing next generation medicines from antimicrobial peptides

    Developing new drugs from natures host defence molecules - with improved safety and less likely to induce drug resistance.

Search Professor Nicole Lawrence’s works on UQ eSpace

52 works between 1994 and 2025
All (52) Journal Article (44) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (4) Other Outputs (3)

1 - 20 of 52 works

Featured

2024

Journal Article

Enhancing the intrinsic antiplasmodial activity and improving the stability and selectivity of a tunable peptide scaffold derived from human platelet factor 4

Lawrence, Nicole, Handley, Thomas N. G., de Veer, Simon J., Harding, Maxim D., Andraszek, Alicja, Hall, Lachlan, Raven, Karoline D., Duffy, Sandra, Avery, Vicky M., Craik, David J., Malins, Lara R. and McMorran, Brendan J. (2024). Enhancing the intrinsic antiplasmodial activity and improving the stability and selectivity of a tunable peptide scaffold derived from human platelet factor 4. ACS Infectious Diseases, 10 (8), 2899-2912. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00276

Enhancing the intrinsic antiplasmodial activity and improving the stability and selectivity of a tunable peptide scaffold derived from human platelet factor 4

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Development of antiplasmodial peptide–drug conjugates using a human protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide with selectivity for infected cells

Palombi, Isabella R., Lawrence, Nicole, White, Andrew M., Gare, Caitlin L., Craik, David J., McMorran, Brendan J. and Malins, Lara R. (2023). Development of antiplasmodial peptide–drug conjugates using a human protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide with selectivity for infected cells. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 34 (6), 1105-1113. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00147

Development of antiplasmodial peptide–drug conjugates using a human protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide with selectivity for infected cells

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Antimicrobial peptides provide wider coverage for targeting drug‐resistant bacterial pathogens

Amiss, Anna S., Henriques, Sónia Troeira and Lawrence, Nicole (2022). Antimicrobial peptides provide wider coverage for targeting drug‐resistant bacterial pathogens. Peptide Science, 114 (2) e24246, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/pep2.24246

Antimicrobial peptides provide wider coverage for targeting drug‐resistant bacterial pathogens

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells

Amiss, Anna S., von Pein, Jessica B., Webb, Jessica R., Condon, Nicholas D., Harvey, Peta J., Phan, Minh-Duy, Schembri, Mark A., Currie, Bart J., Sweet, Matthew J., Craik, David J., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Henriques, Sónia Troeira and Lawrence, Nicole (2021). Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 79 (1) 38, 38. doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-04041-z

Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells

Featured

2020

Journal Article

Cyclic peptide scaffold with ability to stabilize and deliver a helical cell-impermeable cargo across membranes of cultured cancer cells

Lawrence, Nicole, Philippe, Grégoire J.-B., Harvey, Peta J., Condon, Nicholas D., Benfield, Aurélie H., Cheneval, Olivier, Craik, David J. and Troeira Henriques, Sónia (2020). Cyclic peptide scaffold with ability to stabilize and deliver a helical cell-impermeable cargo across membranes of cultured cancer cells. RSC Chemical Biology, 1 (5), 405-420. doi: 10.1039/d0cb00099j

Cyclic peptide scaffold with ability to stabilize and deliver a helical cell-impermeable cargo across membranes of cultured cancer cells

Featured

2018

Journal Article

Defense peptides engineered from human platelet factor 4 kill Plasmodium by selective membrane disruption

Lawrence, Nicole, Dennis, Adelaide S. M., Lehane, Adele M., Ehmann, Anna, Harvey, Peta J., Benfield, Aurélie H., Cheneval, Olivier, Henriques, Sónia Troeira, Craik, David J. and McMorran, Brendan J. (2018). Defense peptides engineered from human platelet factor 4 kill Plasmodium by selective membrane disruption. Cell Chemical Biology, 25 (9), 1140-+. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.06.009

Defense peptides engineered from human platelet factor 4 kill Plasmodium by selective membrane disruption

2025

Journal Article

Cell-penetrating cyclic and disulfide-rich peptides are privileged molecular scaffolds for intracellular targeting

Troeira Henriques, Sónia, Lawrence, Nicole, Kan, Meng-Wei, Malins, Lara R. and Craik, David J. (2025). Cell-penetrating cyclic and disulfide-rich peptides are privileged molecular scaffolds for intracellular targeting. Biochemistry, 64 (7), 1437-1449. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00845

Cell-penetrating cyclic and disulfide-rich peptides are privileged molecular scaffolds for intracellular targeting

2025

Journal Article

Exploring the utility of cell-penetrating peptides as vehicles for the delivery of distinct antimalarial drug cargoes

Gare, Caitlin L., Palombi, Isabella R., White, Andrew M., Chavchich, Marina, Edstein, Michael D., Lock, Aaron, Avery, Vicky M., Craik, David J., McMorran, Brendan J., Lawrence, Nicole and Malins, Lara Rebecca (2025). Exploring the utility of cell-penetrating peptides as vehicles for the delivery of distinct antimalarial drug cargoes. ChemMedChem, 20 (2) e202400637. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202400637

Exploring the utility of cell-penetrating peptides as vehicles for the delivery of distinct antimalarial drug cargoes

2025

Journal Article

Synthesis and Investigation of Peptide-Drug Conjugates Comprising Camptothecin and a Human Protein-Derived Cell-Penetrating Peptide

Palombi, Isabella R., White, Andrew M., Koda, Yasuko, Craik, David J., Lawrence, Nicole and Malins, Lara R. (2025). Synthesis and Investigation of Peptide-Drug Conjugates Comprising Camptothecin and a Human Protein-Derived Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 105 (1) e70051, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/cbdd.70051

Synthesis and Investigation of Peptide-Drug Conjugates Comprising Camptothecin and a Human Protein-Derived Cell-Penetrating Peptide

2025

Journal Article

Analogs of cyclic peptide mortiamide‐d from marine fungi have improved membrane permeability and kill drug‐resistant melanoma cells

Bergeron, Catherine, Bérubé, Christopher, Lamb, Henry, Koda, Yasuko, Craik, David J., Henriques, Sónia Troeira, Voyer, Normand and Lawrence, Nicole (2025). Analogs of cyclic peptide mortiamide‐d from marine fungi have improved membrane permeability and kill drug‐resistant melanoma cells. Peptide Science, 117 (1) e24380. doi: 10.1002/pep2.24380

Analogs of cyclic peptide mortiamide‐d from marine fungi have improved membrane permeability and kill drug‐resistant melanoma cells

2024

Journal Article

Cyclic tachyplesin I kills proliferative, non-proliferative and drug-resistant melanoma cells without inducing resistance

Benfield, Aurélie H., Vernen, Felicitas, Young, Reuben S. E., Nadal-Bufí, Ferran, Lamb, Henry, Hammerlindl, Heinz, Craik, David J., Schaider, Helmut, Lawrence, Nicole, Blanksby, Stephen J. and Henriques, Sónia Troeira (2024). Cyclic tachyplesin I kills proliferative, non-proliferative and drug-resistant melanoma cells without inducing resistance. Pharmacological Research, 207 107298. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107298

Cyclic tachyplesin I kills proliferative, non-proliferative and drug-resistant melanoma cells without inducing resistance

2024

Journal Article

Author Correction: Repurposing a plant peptide cyclase for targeted lysine acylation

Rehm, Fabian B. H., Tyler, Tristan J., Zhou, Yan, Huang, Yen-Hua, Wang, Conan K., Lawrence, Nicole, Craik, David J. and Durek, Thomas (2024). Author Correction: Repurposing a plant peptide cyclase for targeted lysine acylation. Nature Chemistry, 16 (9), 1565-1565. doi: 10.1038/s41557-024-01625-7

Author Correction: Repurposing a plant peptide cyclase for targeted lysine acylation

2024

Conference Publication

Peptide-drug conjugates as a novel approach to antimalarial therapeutics

Gare, Caitlin, Palombi, Isabella, White, Andrew, Lawrence, Nicole, Craik, David, McMorran, Brendan and Malins, Lara (2024). Peptide-drug conjugates as a novel approach to antimalarial therapeutics. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25–29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.

Peptide-drug conjugates as a novel approach to antimalarial therapeutics

2024

Journal Article

Repurposing a plant peptide cyclase for targeted lysine acylation

Rehm, Fabian B. H., Tyler, Tristan J., Zhou, Yan, Huang, Yen-Hua, Wang, Conan K., Lawrence, Nicole, Craik, David J. and Durek, Thomas (2024). Repurposing a plant peptide cyclase for targeted lysine acylation. Nature Chemistry, 2024 (9), 1-1. doi: 10.1038/s41557-024-01520-1

Repurposing a plant peptide cyclase for targeted lysine acylation

2024

Journal Article

Deciphering the structure and mechanism‐of‐action of computer‐designed mastoparan peptides

Oshiro, Karen G. N., Freitas, Carlos D. P., Rezende, Samilla B., Orozco, Raquel M. Q., Chan, Lai Y., Lawrence, Nicole, Lião, Luciano M., Macedo, Maria L. R., Craik, David J., Cardoso, Marlon H. and Franco, Octávio L. (2024). Deciphering the structure and mechanism‐of‐action of computer‐designed mastoparan peptides. The FEBS Journal, 291 (5), 865-883. doi: 10.1111/febs.17010

Deciphering the structure and mechanism‐of‐action of computer‐designed mastoparan peptides

2023

Conference Publication

Structure, function, and evolution of nettle caterpillar venom toxins

Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh H., Robinson, Samuel, Cardoso, Fernanda C., Lawrence, Nicole, Eagles, David, Chin, Y., King, Glenn F. and Walker, Andrew A. (2023). Structure, function, and evolution of nettle caterpillar venom toxins. V2D 2023: 8th Venoms to Drugs Conference, Moreton Island, QLD Australia, 9-13 October 2023.

Structure, function, and evolution of nettle caterpillar venom toxins

2023

Journal Article

The circular bacteriocin enterocin NKR-5-3B has an improved stability profile over nisin

Wang, Conan K., Huang, Yen-Hua, Shabbir, Fatima, Pham, Huong T., Lawrence, Nicole, Benfield, Aurélie H., van der Donk, Wilfred, Henriques, Sónia T., Turner, Mark S. and Craik, David J. (2023). The circular bacteriocin enterocin NKR-5-3B has an improved stability profile over nisin. Peptides, 167 171049, 171049. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171049

The circular bacteriocin enterocin NKR-5-3B has an improved stability profile over nisin

2022

Conference Publication

Activating the p53 pathway with peptide conjugates: synthesis, structure, activity and cellular uptake

Philippe, Gregoire, Huang, Yen-Hua, Mittermeier, Anna, Brown, Christopher, Wang, Conan, Kaas, Quentin, Lawrence, Nicole, Condon, Nicholas, Lane, David, Loewer, Alexander, Craik, David and Henriques, Sonia (2022). Activating the p53 pathway with peptide conjugates: synthesis, structure, activity and cellular uptake. 36th European Peptide Symposium 12th International Peptide Symposium, Barcelona, Spain, 28 August - 2 September 2022. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/psc.3445

Activating the p53 pathway with peptide conjugates: synthesis, structure, activity and cellular uptake

2022

Conference Publication

Structure, function, and evolution of nettle caterpillar venom toxins

Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh H., Robinson, Samuel D., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Lawrence, Nicole, Chin, Yanni, King, Glenn F. and Walker, Andrew A. (2022). Structure, function, and evolution of nettle caterpillar venom toxins. Pathogens and Natural Toxins e-Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1 July - 31 August 2022.

Structure, function, and evolution of nettle caterpillar venom toxins

2021

Other Outputs

Modified defence peptides from horseshoe crab target and kill bacteria inside host cells

Amiss, Anna S., von Pein, Jessica B., Webb, Jessica R., Condon, Nicholas D., Harvey, Peta J., Phan, Minh-Duy, Schembri, Mark A., Currie, Bart J., Sweet, Matthew J., Craik, David J., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Henriques, Sónia Troeira and Lawrence, Nicole (2021). Modified defence peptides from horseshoe crab target and kill bacteria inside host cells. doi: 10.1101/2021.06.27.450110

Modified defence peptides from horseshoe crab target and kill bacteria inside host cells

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2026
    Next-generation peptide-based medicines for malaria
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Developing FXIIa inhibitors as next-generation anticoagulants
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Developing targeted antimalarial drug leads from host defence peptide-drug conjugates (NHMRC Ideas Grant led by ANU)
    Australian National University
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Nicole Lawrence is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Nicole Lawrence directly for media enquiries about:

  • drug design
  • drug-resistant bacteria
  • malaria
  • peptides
  • tropical health

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