Professor Glenn King
Professor

Glenn King

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62025

Availability

Professor Glenn King is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Sydney
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney

Research interests

  • Bugs and drugs

    Our research harnesses the chemistry of venoms from arthropod predators, such as spiders, scorpions and centipedes, to develop novel pharmaceuticals to treat chronic pain, epilepsy and stroke. Stroke is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. In addition, it causes an extremely high incidence of disability in surviving victims due to the brain damage suffered during stroke. Likewise, chronic pain is a huge medical problem that affects one in five adults. There are few drugs available for treating chronic pain, and many of these have limited efficacy and dose-limiting side effects. Animal venoms are a rich source of stable natural peptides that potently modulate the activity of a wide range of neuronal ion channels and receptors. We have the largest collection of arthropod venoms in the world, a high-throughput pipeline for venoms-based drug discovery, protocols for rapid protein expression and structure determination, and links to key laboratories for testing the efficacy of lead molecules in rodent models of pain, epilepsy and stroke. We are using these world-class resources to move us closer to achieving our aim of developing novel analgesics for pain relief, novel drugs for treating severe paediatric epilepsies, and novel neuroprotective agents for treating stroke victims. An equally important focus of our research is on helping to safeguard Australia’s agricultural crops and reduce the spread of disease from insect pests by discovering new environmentally friendly insecticides. Currently, arthropod pests destroy approximately 15 per cent of the world’s food supply and spread pernicious diseases such as dengue and malaria. Our work is finding better, safer ways to control disease-spreading pests and protect crops.

Search Professor Glenn King’s works on UQ eSpace

444 works between 1983 and 2025
All (444) Book (2) Journal Article (358) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (63) Book Chapter (19)

1 - 20 of 444 works

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Spider-venom peptides: structure, pharmacology, and potential for control of insect pests

King, Glenn F. and Hardy, Margaret C. (2013). Spider-venom peptides: structure, pharmacology, and potential for control of insect pests. Annual Review of Entomology, 58, 475-496. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153650

Spider-venom peptides: structure, pharmacology, and potential for control of insect pests

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Venoms as a platform for human drugs: Translating toxins into therapeutics

King, Glenn F. (2011). Venoms as a platform for human drugs: Translating toxins into therapeutics. Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 11 (11), 1469-1484. doi: 10.1517/14712598.2011.621940

Venoms as a platform for human drugs: Translating toxins into therapeutics

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Unique scorpion toxin with a putative ancestral fold provides insight into evolution of the inhibitor cystine knot motif

Smith, Jennifer J., Hill, Justine M., Little, Michelle J., Nicholson, Graham M., King, Glenn F. and Alewood, Paul F. (2011). Unique scorpion toxin with a putative ancestral fold provides insight into evolution of the inhibitor cystine knot motif. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 (26), 10478-10483. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1103501108

Unique scorpion toxin with a putative ancestral fold provides insight into evolution of the inhibitor cystine knot motif

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Phox homology band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-like proteins function as molecular scaffolds that interact with cargo receptors and Ras GTPases

Ghai, Rajesh, Mobli, Mehdi, Norwood, Suzanne J., Bugarcic, Andrea, Teasdale, Rohan D., King, Glenn F. and Collins, Brett M. (2011). Phox homology band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-like proteins function as molecular scaffolds that interact with cargo receptors and Ras GTPases. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 (19), 7763-7768. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1017110108

Phox homology band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-like proteins function as molecular scaffolds that interact with cargo receptors and Ras GTPases

Featured

2010

Journal Article

The structural basis for autonomous dimerization of the pre-T-cell antigen receptor

Pang, Siew Siew, Berry, Richard, Chen, Zhenjun, Kjer-Nielsen, Lars, Perugini, Matthew A., King, Glenn F., Wang, Christina, Chew, Sock Hui, La Gruta, Nicole L., Williams, Neil K., Beddoe, Travis, Tiganis, Tony, Cowieson, Nathan P., Godfrey, Dale I., Purcell, Anthony W., Wilce, Matthew C. J., McCluskey, James and Rossjohn, Jamie (2010). The structural basis for autonomous dimerization of the pre-T-cell antigen receptor. Nature, 467 (7317), 844-848. doi: 10.1038/nature09448

The structural basis for autonomous dimerization of the pre-T-cell antigen receptor

Featured

2009

Journal Article

Direct Visualization of Disulfide Bonds through Diselenide Proxies Using Se-77 NMR Spectroscopy

Mobli, M., Dantas de Araujo, A., Lambert, L. K., Pierens, G. K., Windley, M. J., Nicholson, G. M., Alewood, P. F. and King, G. E. (2009). Direct Visualization of Disulfide Bonds through Diselenide Proxies Using Se-77 NMR Spectroscopy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 48 (49), 9312-9314. doi: 10.1002/anie.200905206

Direct Visualization of Disulfide Bonds through Diselenide Proxies Using Se-77 NMR Spectroscopy

2025

Journal Article

A Comprehensive Review of the Pathophysiology of Neonatal Stroke and a Critique of Current and Future Therapeutic Strategies

Mondal, Victor, Ross-Munro, Emily, Balasuriya, Gayathri K., Kumari, Ritu, Hossen, Md. Munnaf, Ageeli, Mohammed, Firipis, Kate, Nisbet, David R., King, Glenn F., Williams, Richard J., Gressens, Pierre, Cheong, Jeanie L. Y., Wong, Flora Y., Walker, David W., Tolcos, Mary and Fleiss, Bobbi (2025). A Comprehensive Review of the Pathophysiology of Neonatal Stroke and a Critique of Current and Future Therapeutic Strategies. Cells, 14 (12) 910, 910-12. doi: 10.3390/cells14120910

A Comprehensive Review of the Pathophysiology of Neonatal Stroke and a Critique of Current and Future Therapeutic Strategies

2025

Journal Article

Innovative Hydrogel-Based Treatments for Neonatal Stroke

Mondal, Victor, Ross-Munro, Emily, Firipis, Kate, Balasuriya, Gayathri K., Kumari, Ritu, Hossen, Md. Munnaf, Nisbet, David R., King, Glenn F., Williams, Richard J., Walker, David W., Tolcos, Mary and Fleiss, Bobbi (2025). Innovative Hydrogel-Based Treatments for Neonatal Stroke. Stroke, 56 (8), 2337-2347. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.124.050139

Innovative Hydrogel-Based Treatments for Neonatal Stroke

2025

Journal Article

Shining a light on the photochemical stability of peptidic bioinsecticides

Herzig, Volker, Ahabh, Andrew, Jones, Alun and King, Glenn F. (2025). Shining a light on the photochemical stability of peptidic bioinsecticides. Toxicon, 262 108381. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108381

Shining a light on the photochemical stability of peptidic bioinsecticides

2024

Journal Article

Prey specificity of predatory venoms

Michálek, Ondřej, King, Glenn F. and Pekár, Stano (2024). Prey specificity of predatory venoms. Biological Reviews, 99 (6), 2253-2273. doi: 10.1111/brv.13120

Prey specificity of predatory venoms

2024

Journal Article

Taking the sting out of scorpions: electrophysiological investigation of the relative efficacy of three antivenoms against medically significant Centruroides species

Campbell, Sam I. D., Chow, Chun Yuen, Neri-Castro, Edgar, Alagón, Alejandro, Gómez, Aarón, Soria, Raúl, King, Glenn F. and Fry, Bryan G. (2024). Taking the sting out of scorpions: electrophysiological investigation of the relative efficacy of three antivenoms against medically significant Centruroides species. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 283 109977, 109977. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109977

Taking the sting out of scorpions: electrophysiological investigation of the relative efficacy of three antivenoms against medically significant Centruroides species

2024

Conference Publication

Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution

Dutta, Sanjay, Villanueva, Jeanette E., Gao, Ling, Doyle, Aoife, Palpant, Nathan, King, Glenn and Macdonald, Peter S. (2024). Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution. 30th International Congress of The Transplantation-Society (TTS), Istanbul, Turkey, 22-25 September 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution

2024

Conference Publication

Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution

Dutta, Sanjay, Villanueva, Jeanette E., Gao, Ling, Doyle, Aoife, Palpant, Nathan, King, Glenn and Macdonald, Peter S. (2024). Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution. 30th International Congress of the Transplantation Society, Istanbul, Turkey, 22-25 September 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1097/01.tp.0001066648.27486.ce

Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution

2024

Conference Publication

Venomic Adaptations Of Prey Specialised Spiders

Michalek, Ondrej, Walker, Andrew A., Sedo, Ondrej, Zdrahal, Zbynek, King, Glenn F. and Pekar, Stano (2024). Venomic Adaptations Of Prey Specialised Spiders. 22nd World Congress of the International Society of Toxinology (IST), Singapore, 20-25 May 2024. OXFORD: Elsevier.

Venomic Adaptations Of Prey Specialised Spiders

2024

Conference Publication

Venomic adaptations of prey specialised spiders

Michálek, Ondřej, Walker, Andrew A., Šedo, Ondrej, Zdráhal, Zbyněk, King, Glenn F. and Pekár, Stano (2024). Venomic adaptations of prey specialised spiders. 22nd World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology, Singapore, 20-25 May 2024. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107976

Venomic adaptations of prey specialised spiders

2024

Conference Publication

Deadly Cures: A Drug Candidate To Treat Ischemic Injuries The Heart And Brain From Venom Of The Lethal Australian Funnel-web Spider

King, Glenn (2024). Deadly Cures: A Drug Candidate To Treat Ischemic Injuries The Heart And Brain From Venom Of The Lethal Australian Funnel-web Spider. 22nd World Congress of the International Society of Toxinology (IST), Singapore, 20-25 May 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.

Deadly Cures: A Drug Candidate To Treat Ischemic Injuries The Heart And Brain From Venom Of The Lethal Australian Funnel-web Spider

2024

Conference Publication

In-silico application of structure prediction to peptide mechanism of action

Tucker, Isaac, King, Glenn, Saez, Natalie, Deplazes, Evelyne, Rash, Lachlan, Cristofori-Armstrong, Ben and Budusan, Elena (2024). In-silico application of structure prediction to peptide mechanism of action. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25-29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.

In-silico application of structure prediction to peptide mechanism of action

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

Conference Publication

In vitro evolution of cyclic peptide inhibitors of acid-sensing ion channel 1a for neuroprotective applications during stroke

Biggs, Kimberley, Passioura, Toby, Eagles, David and King, Glenn (2024). In vitro evolution of cyclic peptide inhibitors of acid-sensing ion channel 1a for neuroprotective applications during stroke. 37th European Peptide Symposium 14th International Peptide Symposium, Florence, Italy, 25-29 August 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.

In vitro evolution of cyclic peptide inhibitors of acid-sensing ion channel 1a for neuroprotective applications during stroke

2024

Journal Article

Venom exaptation and adaptation during the trophic switch to blood-feeding by kissing bugs

Zdenek, Christina N., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Robinson, Samuel D., Mercedes, Raine S., Raidjõe, Enriko R., Hernandez-Vargas, María José, Jin, Jiayi, Corzo, Gerardo, Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn F., Fry, Bryan G. and Walker, Andrew A. (2024). Venom exaptation and adaptation during the trophic switch to blood-feeding by kissing bugs. iScience, 27 (9) 110723, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110723

Venom exaptation and adaptation during the trophic switch to blood-feeding by kissing bugs

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Venoms to drugs: translating venom peptides into human therapeutics
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Therapies for pain relief
    Golden Casket Lottery Corporation Ltd
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Studying the basis of and developing new therapies to treat heart disease
    IPF Healthy - Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Developing a first-in-class therapeutic for chronic visceral pain using venom derived peptides (NHMRC Development Grant administered by SAHMRI)
    South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Donation for stroke research
    Golden Casket Lottery Corporation Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Imaging Mass Spectrometry at Higher Mass Resolution
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Venoms to drugs: translating venom peptides into human therapeutics
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Evaluation of the stability of Nav1.1 activating peptides for treatment of Dravet Syndrome
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Unravelling the molecular diversity and evolution of centipede venoms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Voltage-dependent structural changes in voltage-gated sodium channels
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    A novel therapeutic intervention for Dravet syndrome
    Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Evaluation of insecticidal spider peptides
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Tailoring plant protease inhibitors for control of the crop pest Helicoverpa armigera
    Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Ion channel modulators of pain pathways
    NHMRC Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Discovery and characterisation of novel spider-venom peptides targeting the human Nav1.7 channel
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Development of selective blockers of acid sensing ion channel 1a for the treatment of stroke
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    A novel approach for controlling insect vectors of human disease
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    NHMRC Research Fellowship: Venoms to drugs: translating venom peptides into therapeutics
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Development of novel analgesics for the treatment of chronic pain
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Development of environmentally-friendly bioinsecticides for control of Australian crop pests
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Development of potent and specific modulators of the human sodium channel Nav1.7
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Discovery of New P2X7 Blockers from Spider Venoms as Potential Analgesics
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Peptidic spider toxins: a novel paradigm for control of insect pests
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Development of environmentally-friendly insecticides for the Australian livestock industry
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Dissecting the divisome: development of antibacterial agents that inhibit bacterial cytokinesis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Inhibition of histidine kinase signal sensing: a novel paradigm for antimicrobial development
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Orally active spider toxins: a novel paradigm for control of insect pests
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Infrastructure start-up package for Professor Glenn King
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Safeguarding Australia against invasive arthropod pests
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Glenn King is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Venom-derived antiseizure medications for treatment of KCNT1 epilepsy

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Lata Vadlamudi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Venom-derived drugs for targeting ion channels involved in genetic epilepsies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Lata Vadlamudi, Dr Natalie Saez

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluation of Phylogenetic Patterns of Scorpion Pathophysiological Effects and Effectiveness of Next-Generation Antivenoms

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sam Robinson, Professor Bryan Fry

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Salivary Adaptations in Australian Blood-feeding Arthropods: Insights from Tabanid Flies and the Australian Paralysis Tick

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Using genetics to predict drug efficacy and on-target side effects of pharmacological agents

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Shah, Professor David Evans

  • Master Philosophy

    Towards understanding the venom toxins of Ochrogaster lunifer, a caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Selective modulation voltage gated sodium channels to investigate pathophysiology and treatment for motor neuron disease

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Fernanda Cardoso

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Glenn King directly for media enquiries about:

  • Chronic pain
  • Dravet syndrome
  • drug discovery
  • epilepsy
  • Insecticides
  • Ion channel drugs
  • NMR spectroscopy
  • pain drugs
  • painkillers
  • peptide drugs
  • Protein structure
  • Stroke
  • Venomous animals

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