Overview
Background
I lead the Technology-Driven Drug Discovery (Tech3D) Group at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ. We believe that the key to solving some of our world's biggest challenges, whether that be in medicine or agriculture, relies on the ability to precision engineer molecules at will. My group harnesses three technological pillars to engineer peptides and proteins, which are computational biology, molecular libraries, and nanotechnology. We aspire to design better drugs, creating next generation biotechnological agents that have real impact. These could be new cancer drugs that harness the body's immune system or new insecticides that are environmentally friendly. In these pursuits, we value advancement, fun, balance, respect, fairness, and integrity.
I have been involved in peptide and protein research for over two decades, and am highly experienced in bioinformatics, chemistry, structural characterization, biophysics, and biochemistry. I trained with experts in peptide and protein characterization: an Honours project with Professor Garry King at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (2004), an APA scholarship with Professor David Craik at the University of Queensland Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, Australia (2005-2009) and a NHMRC fellowship with Professor Mingjie Zhang at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China (2009-2011) and A/Professor Andreas Hofmann at Griffith University Eskitis Institute, Brisbane, Australia (2011-2012). I returned to the University of Queensland in 2012 to join an industry partnership funded by an ARC linkage grant. I currently hold an ARC Future Fellowship and am responsible for a team of research officers, assistants and postgraduate students.
My research output has been recognised by >30 prizes and awards for leadership, research translation and fundamental research excellence, as well as numerous invitations to speak at academic and pharmaceutical conferences. I have over 100 publications and have been cited by researchers from across the world.
Availability
- Dr Conan Wang is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering, University of New South Wales
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Drug Discovery and Protein/Peptide Engineeering
My group uses: 1) computational algorithms to predict drug properties with unprecedented accuracy; 2) molecular libraries capable of screening through billions of drug leads to design drugs efficiently; and 3) nano-sized reaction droplets to capture drug activity to make drugs that actually work.
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Cancer Therapeutics
My group is interested in developing new cancer therapeutics, particularly those that modulate the immune system or relevant to lung cancer.
Works
Search Professor Conan Wang’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
An integrated molecular grafting approach for the design of Keap1-targeted peptide inhibitors
Yin, Huawu, Huang, Yen-Hua, Best, Sarah A., Sutherland, Kate D., Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2021). An integrated molecular grafting approach for the design of Keap1-targeted peptide inhibitors. ACS Chemical Biology, 16 (7) acschembio.1c00388, 1276-1287. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00388
2021
Journal Article
Increased valency improves inhibitory activity of peptides targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
Tombling, Benjamin J., Lammi, Carmen, Bollati, Carlotta, Anoldi, Anna, Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2021). Increased valency improves inhibitory activity of peptides targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). ChemBioChem, 22 (12) cbic.202100103, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202100103
2021
Journal Article
Bioactive cyclization optimizes the affinity of a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) peptide inhibitor
Tombling, Benjamin J., Lammi, Carmen, Lawrence, Nicole, Gilding, Edward K., Grazioso, Giovanni, Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2021). Bioactive cyclization optimizes the affinity of a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) peptide inhibitor. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 64 (5) acs.jmedchem.0c01766, 2523-2533. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01766
2021
Journal Article
Yeast-based bioproduction of disulfide-rich peptides and their cyclization via asparaginyl endopeptidases
Yap, Kuok, Du, Junqiao, Rehm, Fabian B. H., Tang, Shyn Ric, Zhou, Yan, Xie, Jing, Wang, Conan K., de Veer, Simon J., Lua, Linda H. L., Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2021). Yeast-based bioproduction of disulfide-rich peptides and their cyclization via asparaginyl endopeptidases. Nature Protocols, 16 (3), 1-23. doi: 10.1038/s41596-020-00483-0
2021
Journal Article
Engineered EGF-A peptides with improved affinity for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
Tombling, Benjamin J., Lammi, Carmen, Lawrence, Nicole, Li, Jianqiang, Arnoldi, Anna, Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2021). Engineered EGF-A peptides with improved affinity for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). ACS Chemical Biology, 16 (2) acschembio.0c00991, 429-439. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00991
2021
Journal Article
Linking molecular evolution to molecular grafting
Wang, Conan K. and Craik, David J. (2021). Linking molecular evolution to molecular grafting. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 296 100425, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100425
2020
Journal Article
Cyclotide structures revealed by NMR, with a little help from X-ray crystallography
Handley, Thomas N. G., Harvey, Peta J., Wang, Conan K., Lawrence, Nicole and Craik, David (2020). Cyclotide structures revealed by NMR, with a little help from X-ray crystallography. Chembiochem, 21 (24) cbic.202000315, 3463-3475. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202000315
2020
Journal Article
Front Cover: Cyclotide Structures Revealed by NMR, with a Little Help from X‐ray Crystallography (ChemBioChem 24/2020)
Handley, Thomas N. G., Wang, Conan K., Harvey, Peta J., Lawrence, Nicole and Craik, David J. (2020). Front Cover: Cyclotide Structures Revealed by NMR, with a Little Help from X‐ray Crystallography (ChemBioChem 24/2020). ChemBioChem, 21 (24), 3449-3449. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202000778
2020
Journal Article
Structure-activity analysis of truncated albumin-binding domains suggests new lead constructs for potential therapeutic delivery
Wang, Conan K., Amiss, Anna S., Weidmann, Joachim and Craik, David J. (2020). Structure-activity analysis of truncated albumin-binding domains suggests new lead constructs for potential therapeutic delivery. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 295 (34), 12143-12152. doi: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014168
2020
Journal Article
EGF‐artige und andere disulfidreiche Mikrodomänen als therapeutische Molekülgerüste
Tombling, Benjamin J., Wang, Conan K. and Craik, David J. (2020). EGF‐artige und andere disulfidreiche Mikrodomänen als therapeutische Molekülgerüste. Angewandte Chemie, 132 (28) ange.201913809, 11314-11328. doi: 10.1002/ange.201913809
2020
Journal Article
An environmentally sustainable biomimetic production of cyclic disulfide-rich peptides
Yap, Kuok, Du, Junqiao, Looi, Fong Yang, Tang, Shyn Ric, de Veer, Simon J., Bony, Anuja R., Rehm, Fabian B. H., Xie, Jing, Chan, Lai Yue, Wang, Conan K., Adams, David J., Lua, Linda H. L., Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2020). An environmentally sustainable biomimetic production of cyclic disulfide-rich peptides. Green Chemistry, 22 (15), 5002-5016. doi: 10.1039/d0gc01366h
2020
Journal Article
Inside Cover: Application and Structural Analysis of Triazole‐Bridged Disulfide Mimetics in Cyclic Peptides (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 28/2020)
White, Andrew M., Veer, Simon J., Wu, Guojie, Harvey, Peta J., Yap, Kuok, King, Gordon J., Swedberg, Joakim E., Wang, Conan K., Law, Ruby H. P., Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2020). Inside Cover: Application and Structural Analysis of Triazole‐Bridged Disulfide Mimetics in Cyclic Peptides (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 28/2020). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59 (28), 11162-11162. doi: 10.1002/anie.202006713
2020
Journal Article
Innentitelbild: Application and Structural Analysis of Triazole‐Bridged Disulfide Mimetics in Cyclic Peptides (Angew. Chem. 28/2020)
White, Andrew M., Veer, Simon J., Wu, Guojie, Harvey, Peta J., Yap, Kuok, King, Gordon J., Swedberg, Joakim E., Wang, Conan K., Law, Ruby H. P., Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2020). Innentitelbild: Application and Structural Analysis of Triazole‐Bridged Disulfide Mimetics in Cyclic Peptides (Angew. Chem. 28/2020). Angewandte Chemie, 132 (28), 11258-11258. doi: 10.1002/ange.202006713
2020
Journal Article
Application and structural analysis of triazole‐bridged disulfide mimetics in cyclic peptides
White, Andrew M., Veer, Simon J., Wu, Guojie, Harvey, Peta J., Yap, Kuok, King, Gordon J., Swedberg, Joakim E., Wang, Conan K., Law, Ruby H. P., Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2020). Application and structural analysis of triazole‐bridged disulfide mimetics in cyclic peptides. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 132 (28) anie.202003435, 11369-11373. doi: 10.1002/anie.202003435
2020
Journal Article
Cellular uptake and cytosolic delivery of a cyclic cystine knot scaffold
Yin, Huawu, Huang, Yen-Hua, Deprey, Kirsten, Condon, Nicholas D., Kritzer, Joshua A., Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2020). Cellular uptake and cytosolic delivery of a cyclic cystine knot scaffold. ACS Chemical Biology, 15 (6), 1650-1661. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00297
2020
Conference Publication
Challenging the chirality paradigm in peptide-lipid interactions
Henriques, Sonia Troeira, Peacock, Hayden, Benfield, Aurelie H., Wang, Conan K. and Craik, David (2020). Challenging the chirality paradigm in peptide-lipid interactions. 64th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, San Diego, CA, United States, 15-19 February 2020. St. Louis, MO, United States: Cell Press. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.11.1983
2019
Journal Article
Is the mirror image a true reflection? Intrinsic membrane chirality modulates peptide binding
Troeira Henriques, Sónia, Peacock, Hayden, Benfield, Aurelie, Wang, Conan K and Craik, David J (2019). Is the mirror image a true reflection? Intrinsic membrane chirality modulates peptide binding. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 141 (51) jacs.9b11194, 20460-20469. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b11194
2019
Journal Article
EGF-like and other disulfide-rich microdomains as therapeutic scaffolds
Tombling, Benjamin J., Wang, Conan K. and Craik, David J. (2019). EGF-like and other disulfide-rich microdomains as therapeutic scaffolds. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59 (28), 11218-11232. doi: 10.1002/anie.201913809
2019
Journal Article
Anchor residues guide form and function in grafted peptides
Yin, Huawu, Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2019). Anchor residues guide form and function in grafted peptides. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 58 (23), 7652-7656. doi: 10.1002/anie.201901572
2019
Journal Article
Insecticidal spider toxins are high affinity positive allosteric modulators of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Chambers, Chris, Cutler, Penny, Huang, Yen-Hua, Goodchild, James A., Blythe, Judith, Wang, Conan K., Bigot, Aurélien, Kaas, Quentin, Craik, David J., Sabbadin, Davide and Earley, Fergus G. (2019). Insecticidal spider toxins are high affinity positive allosteric modulators of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. FEBS Letters, 593 (12) 1873-3468.13435, 1336-1350. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.13435
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Conan Wang is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Molecular design of drugs for cancer diagnosis, imaging and therapy.
In this industry-linked project, an exceptional opportunity awaits a highly motivated PhD candidate interested in discovery and engineering of peptide drugs to combat cancer.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and Development of Substrate-Based Peptide Kinase Inhibitors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yen-Hua Crystal Huang, Professor David Craik
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Doctor Philosophy
A new molecular technology platform for design and production of ultra-stable peptides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik
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Doctor Philosophy
Next-generation IL-2 mimics for immunotherapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik, Professor Di Yu
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Doctor Philosophy
Patient-friendly peptide tracers for improving immunotherapy outcomes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yen-Hua Crystal Huang
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of a new class of ligase enzymes for protein engineering and drug development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik, Dr Thomas Durek
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of commercially viable cyclic peptide production for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik, Dr Thomas Durek, Professor Linda Lua
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of peptide-based inhibitors for crop protection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins, Professor David Craik
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The development of peptide-based cholesterol-lowering therapeutics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery, production, and development of disulfide-rich peptides for drug design and development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik, Dr Thomas Durek
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Structural Modifications to Optimise the Oxidative Folding and Activity of Cyclotides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simon de Veer, Professor David Craik
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the crown-of-thorns starfish secretome to identify factors for future biocontrol systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sandie Degnan, Professor Bernard Degnan
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating approaches for the design and delivery of disulfide-rich peptide therapeutics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yen-Hua Crystal Huang, Professor David Craik
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Structure-activity relationships and development of disulfide-rich cyclic peptides as pharmaceutical templates
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik
Media
Enquiries
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