Overview
Availability
- Professor Glenn King is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
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.
Works
Search Professor Glenn King’s works on UQ eSpace
2013
Journal Article
A proteomics and transcriptomics investigation of the venom from the Barychelid spider Trittame loki (brush-foot trapdoor)
Undheim, Eivind A. B., Sunagar, Kartik, Herzig, Volker, Kely, Laurence, Low, Dolyce H. W., Jackson, Timothy N. W., Jones, Alun, Kurniawan, Nyoman, King, Glenn F., Ali, Syed A., Antunes, Agostino, Ruder, Tim and Fry, Bryan G. (2013). A proteomics and transcriptomics investigation of the venom from the Barychelid spider Trittame loki (brush-foot trapdoor). Toxins, 5 (12), 2488-2503. doi: 10.3390/toxins5122488
2013
Other Outputs
Isolation of an orally active insecticidal toxin from the venom of an Australian tarantula (Table S1)
Hardy, Margaret, Daly, Norelle L., Mobli, Mehdi , Morales, Rodrigo and King, Glenn F (2013). Isolation of an orally active insecticidal toxin from the venom of an Australian tarantula (Table S1). Figshare. (Dataset) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073136.s001
2013
Journal Article
Natural born insect killers: Spider-venom peptides and their potential for managing arthropod pests
Ikonomopoulou, Maria and King, Glenn (2013). Natural born insect killers: Spider-venom peptides and their potential for managing arthropod pests. Outlooks on Pest Management, 24 (1), 16-19. doi: 10.1564/v24_feb_05
2013
Book Chapter
The Neurotoxic Mode of Action of Venoms from the Spider Family Theraphosidae
Herzig, Volker and King, Glenn F. (2013). The Neurotoxic Mode of Action of Venoms from the Spider Family Theraphosidae. Spider Ecophysiology. (pp. 203-215) edited by Wolfgang Nentwig. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-33989-9_15
2013
Conference Publication
Harnessing high-throughput screening strategies for identification of selective hNav1.7 blockers for the treatment of chronic pain
Cardoso, F. C., Herzig, V., Hauke, T., King, G. F. and Lewis, R. J. (2013). Harnessing high-throughput screening strategies for identification of selective hNav1.7 blockers for the treatment of chronic pain. CASB Division Symposium 2013, Brisbane Australia, 7 November, 2013.
2013
Journal Article
From kinetics to imaging: An NMR odyssey-a festschrift symposium in honour of Philip William Kuchel
Vandenberg, Jamie L., Conigrave, Arthur, King, Glenn F. and Kirk, Kiaran (2013). From kinetics to imaging: An NMR odyssey-a festschrift symposium in honour of Philip William Kuchel. European Biophysical Journal, 42 (1), 1-2. doi: 10.1007/s00249-012-0883-8
2012
Journal Article
Recombinant expression of margatoxin and agitoxin-2 in Pichia pastoris: an efficient method for production of KV1.3 channel blockers
Anangi, Raveendra, Koshy, Shyny, Huq, Redwan, Beeton, Christine, Chuang, Woei-Jer and King, Glenn F. (2012). Recombinant expression of margatoxin and agitoxin-2 in Pichia pastoris: an efficient method for production of KV1.3 channel blockers. PLoS One, 7 (12) e52965, e52965.1-e52965.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052965
2012
Journal Article
Structural and molecular diversification of the Anguimorpha lizard mandibular venom gland system in the arboreal species Abronia graminea
Koludarov, Ivan, Sunagar, Kartik, Undheim, Eivind A. B., Jackson, Timothy N. W., Ruder, Tim, Whitehead, Darryl, Saucedo, Alejandro C., Roberto Mora, G., Alagon, Alejandro C., King, Glenn, Antunes, Agostinho and Fry, Bryan G. (2012). Structural and molecular diversification of the Anguimorpha lizard mandibular venom gland system in the arboreal species Abronia graminea. Journal of Molecular Evolution, 75 (5-6), 168-183. doi: 10.1007/s00239-012-9529-9
2012
Journal Article
Differential Evolution and Neofunctionalization of Snake Venom Metalloprotease Domains (vol 12, pg 651, 2013)
Brust, Andreas, Sunagar, Kartik, Undheim, Eivind A. B., Vetter, Irina, Yang, Daryl C., Casewell, Nicholas R., Jackson, Timothy N. W., Koludarov, Ivan, Alewood, Paul F., Hodgson, Wayne C., Lewis, Richard J., King, Glenn F., Antunes, Agostinho, Hendrikx, Iwan and Fry, Bryan G. (2012). Differential Evolution and Neofunctionalization of Snake Venom Metalloprotease Domains (vol 12, pg 651, 2013). Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 12 (5), 1488-1488. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M112.023135
2012
Journal Article
Cyclization of peptides by using selenolanthionine bridges
Dantas de Araujo, Aline, Mobli, Mehdi, King, Glenn F. and Alewood, Paul F. (2012). Cyclization of peptides by using selenolanthionine bridges. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51 (41), 10298-10302. doi: 10.1002/anie.201204229
2012
Journal Article
Development of a rational nomenclature for naming peptide and protein toxins from sea anemones
Oliveira, Joacir Stolarz, Fuentes-Silva, Deyanira and King, Glenn F. (2012). Development of a rational nomenclature for naming peptide and protein toxins from sea anemones. Toxicon, 60 (4), 539-550. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.020
2012
Journal Article
Spider-venom peptides that target voltage-gated sodium channels: pharmacological tools and potential therapeutic leads
Klint, Julie K., Senff, Sebastian, Rupasinghe, Darshani B., Er, Sing Yan, Herzig, Volker, Nicholson, Graham M. and King, Glenn F. (2012). Spider-venom peptides that target voltage-gated sodium channels: pharmacological tools and potential therapeutic leads. Toxicon, 60 (4), 478-491. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.04.337
2012
Journal Article
Chemical punch packed in venoms makes centipedes excellent predators
Yang, Shilong, Liu, Zhonghua, Xiao, Yao, Li, Yuan, Rong, Mingqiang, Liang, Songping, Yu, Haining, King, Glenn F., Lai, Ren and Zhang, Zhiye (2012). Chemical punch packed in venoms makes centipedes excellent predators. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 11 (9), 640-650. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M112.018853
2012
Journal Article
The lethal toxin from Australian funnel-web spiders is encoded by an intronless gene
Pineda, Sandy Steffany, Wilson, David, Mattick, John S. and King, Glenn F. (2012). The lethal toxin from Australian funnel-web spiders is encoded by an intronless gene. PLoS One, 7 (8) e43699, E43699.1-E43699.8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043699
2012
Journal Article
Proteomics and deep sequencing comparison of seasonally active venom glands in the platypus reveals novel venom peptides and distinct expression profiles
Wong, Emily S. W., Morgenstern, David, Mofiz, Ehtesham, Gombert, Sara, Morris, Katrina M., Temple-Smith, Peter, Renfree, M.B., Whittington, Camilla M., King, Glenn F., Warren, Wesley C., Papenfuss, Anthony T. and Belov, Katherine (2012). Proteomics and deep sequencing comparison of seasonally active venom glands in the platypus reveals novel venom peptides and distinct expression profiles. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 11 (11), 1354-1364. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M112.017491
2012
Journal Article
Functional expression in Escherichia coli of the disulfide-rich sea anemone peptide APETx2, a potent blocker of acid-sensing ion channel 3
Anangi, Raveendra, Rash, Lachlan D., Mobli, Mehdi and King, Glenn F. (2012). Functional expression in Escherichia coli of the disulfide-rich sea anemone peptide APETx2, a potent blocker of acid-sensing ion channel 3. Marine Drugs, 10 (7), 1605-1618. doi: 10.3390/md10071605
2012
Journal Article
Cyclisation increases the stability of the sea anemone peptide APETx2 but decreases its activity at acid-sensing ion channel 3
Jensen, Jonas E., Mobli, Mehdi, Brust, Andreas, Alewood, Paul F., King, Glenn F. and Rash, Lachlan D. (2012). Cyclisation increases the stability of the sea anemone peptide APETx2 but decreases its activity at acid-sensing ion channel 3. Marine Drugs, 10 (7), 1511-1527. doi: 10.3390/md10071511
2012
Journal Article
Fusion to snowdrop lectin magnifies the oral activity of insecticidal omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a peptide by enabling its delivery to the central nervous system
Fitches, Elaine C., Pyati, Prashant, King, Glenn F. and Gatehouse, John A. (2012). Fusion to snowdrop lectin magnifies the oral activity of insecticidal omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a peptide by enabling its delivery to the central nervous system. PLoS One, 7 (6) e39389, e39389.1-e39389.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039389
2012
Journal Article
Spider-venom peptides as bioinsecticides
Windley, Monique J., Herzig, Volker, Dziemborowicz, Sławomir A., Hardy, Margaret C., King, Glenn F. and Nicholson, Graham M. (2012). Spider-venom peptides as bioinsecticides. Toxins, 4 (3), 191-227. doi: 10.3390/toxins4030191
2012
Journal Article
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2: NMR analysis and structural characterization of the N-terminal domain
Galea, Charles A., Mobli, Mehdi, McNeil, Kerrie A., Mulhern, Terrence D., Wallace, John C., King, Glenn F., Forbes, Briony E. and Norton, Raymond S. (2012). Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2: NMR analysis and structural characterization of the N-terminal domain. Biochimie, 94 (3), 608-616. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.09.012
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Glenn King is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Salivary adaptations in Australian blood-feeding arthropods: Insights from tabanid flies and the eastern paralysis tick
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
-
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
Evaluation of Phylogenetic Patterns of Scorpion Pathophysiological Effects and Effectiveness of Next-Generation Antivenoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sam Robinson, Professor Bryan Fry
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the production, composition, and function of venom produced by the box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri and the Irukandji jellyfish Carukia barnesi
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nathan Palpant, Dr Andrew Walker
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing the efficacy of venom-derived peptide therapeutics for the treatment of ion channel diseases
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natalie Saez
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Cyclic peptides as therapeutics for ischemic heart disease and heart failure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nathan Palpant
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Venomous Mechanisms: Structural Studies of Venom Modalities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and Evaluation of Macrocyclic hASIC1a Inhibitors for Neuroprotective Applications
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Venom Components as Analgesics and Pharmacological Tools to Elucidate Mammalian Pain Signalling Pathways
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler, Dr Fernanda Cardoso
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterisation of two orally active insecticidal spider-venom peptides and elucidation of the molecular basis of their oral activity
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Is acid sensing ion channel 1a a viable therapeutic for spinal cord injury?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Marc Ruitenberg
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Arthropod venoms in antiparasitic drug discovery: isolation and biological characterisation of venom-derived anthelmintic compounds
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Andrew Kotze
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery of novel cyclic peptide acid sensing ion channel-1a inhibitors to protect heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Rational development of analgesics for the treatment of chronic pain: dissecting the molecular details of the interaction between gating modifier peptide modulators and human voltage-gated sodium channels
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Development of NaV1.1-selective agonists with potential for treatment of Dravet syndrome epilepsy
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterisation of novel spider venom peptides targeting the human NaV1.7 channel
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
A combined proteomic and transcriptomic investigation of venom from Australian sea anemones
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Peptide modulators of ASIC1a: a putative drug target for the treatment of stroke
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Biotechnological applications of spider venom peptides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Venoms-based discovery of novel modulators of human neuronal ¿7 and ¿3* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the molecular basis of the interaction between spider toxins and the voltage sensor domain of voltage-gated ion channels
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Bioinsecticides for the control of human disease vectors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Engineering Insect-Resistant Plants by Transgenic Expression of an Insecticidal Spider-Venom Peptide
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Novel Analgesics To Treat Chronic Pain: Inhibiting Voltage Gated Sodium Channel 1.7 With Spider-Venom Peptides
Principal Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and mechanistic studies of a bacterial histidine kinase
Principal Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Centipede Venom Evolution: Casting light on a neglected group of venomous animals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of spider-venom peptides that target voltage-gated sodium channels: pharmacological tools and potential therapeutic leads for the treatment of chronic pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the molecular basis of the interaction between the putative drug target ASIC1a and pi-TRTX-Pc1a
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Bio-logic of Venom Complexity: A Chemical and Evolutionary Investigation into the Role of Venom Complexity in Two Orders of Venomous Animals
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Dissecting the interaction between the sea anemone toxin APETx2 and its analgesic target, acid-sensing ion channel 3
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Probing the chemical diversity of venom from the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche infensa
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Isolation and characterization of orally active insecticidal peptides from spider venoms
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Unraveling the role of the bacterial cell division protein DivIB
Principal Advisor
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution and function of nettle caterpillar venom toxins
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and modulation of acid-sensing ion channel modulating venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Structural studies of the Yersinia entomophaga ABC toxin complex YenTc using cryo-EM
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Tarantulas of Australia: phylogenetics and venomics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook, Professor Bryan Fry
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
In vivo protein splicing of secreted cysteine-rich repeat proteins and their structural characterization by NMR spectroscopy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
A philosophical and empirical investigation of the evolution of the toxicoferan reptile venom system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Irina Vetter, Professor Bryan Fry
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of parasitism on the host transcriptome and microRNA profile in Diadegma semiclausum - Plutella xylostella system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sassan Asgari
-
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of novel bioactive peptides from Australian venomous animals
Associate Advisor
Media
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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