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)

21 - 40 of 444 works

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

2024

Conference Publication

Characterisation of novel venom peptides from the underexplored Australian Wishbone Spider

Pinter, Michael, Wirth, Hayden, Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh, Muller, Jessica A. I., Nixon, Samantha, Walker, Andrew A., King, Glenn F. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Characterisation of novel venom peptides from the underexplored Australian Wishbone Spider. East Coast Protein Meeting by the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Coffs Coast, NSW, Australia, 17-19 July 2024.

Characterisation of novel venom peptides from the underexplored Australian Wishbone Spider

2024

Conference Publication

Characterisation of novel venom peptides from the underexplored Australian Wishbone Spider

Pinter, Michael, Wirth, Hayden, Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh, Muller, Jessica A.I., Nixon, Samantha, Walker, Andrew A., King, Glenn F. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Characterisation of novel venom peptides from the underexplored Australian Wishbone Spider. Institute for Molecular Bioscience Student Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 12 July 2024.

Characterisation of novel venom peptides from the underexplored Australian Wishbone Spider

2024

Journal Article

Shining a light on venom-peptide receptors: venom peptides as targeted agents for in vivo molecular imaging

Chow, Chun Yuen and King, Glenn F. (2024). Shining a light on venom-peptide receptors: venom peptides as targeted agents for in vivo molecular imaging. Toxins, 16 (7) 307, 307. doi: 10.3390/toxins16070307

Shining a light on venom-peptide receptors: venom peptides as targeted agents for in vivo molecular imaging

2024

Journal Article

Phylogeny, envenomation syndrome, and membrane permeabilising venom produced by Australia’s electric caterpillar Comana monomorpha

Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh H., Robinson, Samuel D., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Mitchell, Michela L., Cook, Lyn G., King, Glenn F. and Walker, Andrew A. (2024). Phylogeny, envenomation syndrome, and membrane permeabilising venom produced by Australia’s electric caterpillar Comana monomorpha. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 14172, 14172. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-65078-1

Phylogeny, envenomation syndrome, and membrane permeabilising venom produced by Australia’s electric caterpillar Comana monomorpha

2024

Journal Article

Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom

Walker, Andrew A., Chin, Yanni K.-Y., Guo, Shaodong, Jin, Jiayi, Wilbrink, Evienne, Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh Hedayati, Wirth, Hayden, Gordon, Eric, Weirauch, Christiane and King, Glenn F. (2024). Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom. Structure, 32 (9), 1348-1357.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2024.05.016

Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom

2024

Journal Article

Acid-sensing ion channel 1a blockade reduces myocardial injury in rodent models of myocardial infarction

Redd, Meredith A, Yoshikawa, Yusuke, Khan, Nemat, Waqar, Maleeha, Saez, Natalie J, Outhwaite, Jennifer E, Russell, Jake S, Hanna, Amy D, Chiu, Han S, Er, Sing Yan, Butcher, Neville J, Mardon, Karine, Fraser, John F, Smythe, Mark L, Rash, Lachlan D, Thomas, Walter G, King, Glenn F, Reichelt, Melissa E and Palpant, Nathan J (2024). Acid-sensing ion channel 1a blockade reduces myocardial injury in rodent models of myocardial infarction. European Heart Journal, 45 (17), 1571-1574. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad793

Acid-sensing ion channel 1a blockade reduces myocardial injury in rodent models of myocardial infarction

2024

Journal Article

Hi1a improves sensorimotor deficit following endothelin-1-induced stroke in rats but does not improve functional outcomes following filament-induced stroke in mice

Knezic, Adriana, Budusan, Elena, Saez, Natalie J., Broughton, Brad R. S., Rash, Lachlan D., King, Glenn F., Widdop, Robert E. and McCarthy, Claudia A. (2024). Hi1a improves sensorimotor deficit following endothelin-1-induced stroke in rats but does not improve functional outcomes following filament-induced stroke in mice. ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science, 7 (4), 1043-1054. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00328

Hi1a improves sensorimotor deficit following endothelin-1-induced stroke in rats but does not improve functional outcomes following filament-induced stroke in mice

2024

Journal Article

Coat protein of a whitefly-vectored plant virus as a delivery system to target whitefly

Jimenez, Jaime, Kemmerer, Mariah, King, Glenn F., Polston, Jane E. and Bonning, Bryony C. (2024). Coat protein of a whitefly-vectored plant virus as a delivery system to target whitefly. Microbial Biotechnology, 17 (4) e14468. doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.14468

Coat protein of a whitefly-vectored plant virus as a delivery system to target whitefly

2024

Journal Article

High-content fluorescence bioassay investigates pore formation, ion channel modulation and cell membrane lysis induced by venoms

Kramer, Simon, Kotapati, Charan, Cao, Yuanzhao, Fry, Bryan G., Palpant, Nathan J., King, Glenn F. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). High-content fluorescence bioassay investigates pore formation, ion channel modulation and cell membrane lysis induced by venoms. Toxicon: X, 21 100184, 100184. doi: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2024.100184

High-content fluorescence bioassay investigates pore formation, ion channel modulation and cell membrane lysis induced by venoms

2024

Book Chapter

Plant and animal toxins

Welch, Kevin D., King, Glenn F., White, Julian, Pearson, Leanne A., Neilan, Brett A. and Cook, Daniel (2024). Plant and animal toxins. Hayes’ principles and methods of toxicology: volume I. (pp. 755-830) edited by A. Wallace Hayes and Tetyana Kobets. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003390008-17

Plant and animal toxins

2024

Journal Article

Peptide toxins that target vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels underly the painful stings of harvester ants

Robinson, Samuel D., Deuis, Jennifer R., Niu, Pancong, Touchard, Axel, Mueller, Alexander, Schendel, Vanessa, Brinkwirth, Nina, King, Glenn F., Vetter, Irina and Schmidt, Justin O. (2024). Peptide toxins that target vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels underly the painful stings of harvester ants. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 300 (1) 105577, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105577

Peptide toxins that target vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels underly the painful stings of harvester ants

2023

Journal Article

Genomic, functional and structural analyses elucidate evolutionary innovation within the sea anemone 8 toxin family

Ashwood, Lauren M., Elnahriry, Khaled A., Stewart, Zachary K., Shafee, Thomas, Naseem, Muhammad Umair, Szanto, Tibor G., van der Burg, Chloé A., Smith, Hayden L., Surm, Joachim M., Undheim, Eivind A. B., Madio, Bruno, Hamilton, Brett R., Guo, Shaodong, Wai, Dorothy C. C., Coyne, Victoria L., Phillips, Matthew J., Dudley, Kevin J., Hurwood, David A., Panyi, Gyorgy, King, Glenn F., Pavasovic, Ana, Norton, Raymond S. and Prentis, Peter J. (2023). Genomic, functional and structural analyses elucidate evolutionary innovation within the sea anemone 8 toxin family. BMC Biology, 21 (1) 121, 121. doi: 10.1186/s12915-023-01617-y

Genomic, functional and structural analyses elucidate evolutionary innovation within the sea anemone 8 toxin family

2023

Journal Article

Acute inhibition of acid sensing ion channel 1a after spinal cord injury selectively affects excitatory synaptic transmission, but not intrinsic membrane properties, in deep dorsal horn interneurons

Foster, Victoria S., Saez, Natalie, King, Glenn F. and Rank, Michelle M. (2023). Acute inhibition of acid sensing ion channel 1a after spinal cord injury selectively affects excitatory synaptic transmission, but not intrinsic membrane properties, in deep dorsal horn interneurons. PLoS One, 18 (11 November) e0289053, 1-23. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289053

Acute inhibition of acid sensing ion channel 1a after spinal cord injury selectively affects excitatory synaptic transmission, but not intrinsic membrane properties, in deep dorsal horn interneurons

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

Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins

Walker, Andrew A., Perkins, Lynda E., Battisti, Andrea, Zalucki, Myron P. and King, Glenn F. (2023). Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins. Proteomics, 23 (20) 2300204, e2300204. doi: 10.1002/pmic.202300204

Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins

2023

Journal Article

From squid giant axon to automated patch-clamp: electrophysiology in venom and antivenom research

Ahmadi, Shirin, Benard-Valle, Melisa, Boddum, Kim, Cardoso, Fernanda C., King, Glenn F., Laustsen, Andreas Hougaard and Ljungars, Anne (2023). From squid giant axon to automated patch-clamp: electrophysiology in venom and antivenom research. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14 1249336, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1249336

From squid giant axon to automated patch-clamp: electrophysiology in venom and antivenom research

2023

Journal Article

Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Pinto, Ciro P. G., Walker, Andrew A., King, Glenn F. and Rossi, Guilherme D. (2023). Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Insect Science, 30 (4), 1105-1117. doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.13154

Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

2023

Journal Article

Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae)

Walker, Andrew A., Robinson, Samuel D., Merritt, David J., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh Hedayati, Mercedes, Raine S., Eagles, David A., Cooper, Paul, Zdenek, Christina N., Fry, Bryan G., Hall, Donald W., Vetter, Irina and King, Glenn F. (2023). Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (29) e2305871120, e2305871120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2305871120

Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae)

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

    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

  • 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

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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