Mark Blaskovich
- Email:
- m.blaskovich@imb.uq.edu.au
- Phone:
- +61 7 334 62039
- Mobile:
- 0414955380
Overview
Background
Professor Mark Blaskovich is an antibiotic hunter and Director of Translation at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland. He is co-founder and former Director of the Centre for Superbug Solutions at IMB.
A medicinal chemist with 15 years of industrial drug development experience prior to his academic career, Mark has been developing new antibiotics to treat drug resistant pathogens and using modified antibiotics to detect bacterial infections. He is a co-founder of the Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery, a global antibiotic discovery initiative, and has led a number of UQ-industry collaborations focused on antibiotic development. An inventor on eleven patent families, Mark has developed drugs in clinical trials, published more than eighty research articles, and received over $10m in grant funding.
Availability
- Professor Mark Blaskovich is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Victoria
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Waterloo
Works
Search Professor Mark Blaskovich’s works on UQ eSpace
2006
Other Outputs
Protein tyrosine pPhosphatase inhibitors and methods of use thereof
Blaskovich, Mark A., Baughman, Ted, Little, Thomas, Patt, William, Qabar, Maher, Schultz, Lauri, Hong, Feng, Nagula, Gangadhar, Gage, Jennifer Lynn and Howbert, James Jeffry (2006). Protein tyrosine pPhosphatase inhibitors and methods of use thereof. WO/2006/055525.
2005
Journal Article
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of potent and selective benzoyleneurea-based inhibitors of protein geranylgeranyltransferase-1
Carrico, D, Blaskovich, MA, Bucher, CJ, Sebti, SM and Hamilton, AD (2005). Design, synthesis, and evaluation of potent and selective benzoyleneurea-based inhibitors of protein geranylgeranyltransferase-1. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 13 (3), 677-688. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2004.10.053
2004
Journal Article
In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of peptidomimetic protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors with improved membrane permeability
Carrico, D, Ohkanda, J, Kendrick, H, Yokoyama, K, Blaskovich, MA, Bucher, CJ, Buckner, FS, Van Voorhis, WC, Chakrabarti, D, Croft, SL, Gelb, MH, Sebti, SM and Hamilton, AD (2004). In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of peptidomimetic protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors with improved membrane permeability. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (24), 6517-6526. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2004.09.020
2004
Journal Article
Identification of compounds that enhance the anti-lymphoma activity of rituximab using flow cytometric high-content screening
Gasparetto, M, Gentry, T, Sebti, S, O'Bryan, E, Nimmanapalli, R, Blaskovich, MA, Bhalla, K, Rizzieri, D, Haaland, P, Dunne, J and Smith, C (2004). Identification of compounds that enhance the anti-lymphoma activity of rituximab using flow cytometric high-content screening. Journal of Immunological Methods, 292 (1-2), 59-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2004.06.003
2003
Other Outputs
Beta-sheet mimetics and composition and methods relating thereto
Ogbu, Cyprian O., Kim, Hwa-Ok and Blaskovich, Mark, A. (2003). Beta-sheet mimetics and composition and methods relating thereto. WO/2003/068237.
2003
Journal Article
Design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine mimetics
Yan, Zheng, Kahn, Michael, Qabar, Maher, Urban, Jan, Kim, Hwa-Ok and Blaskovich, Mark (2003). Design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine mimetics. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 13 (12), 2083-2085. doi: 10.1016/S0960-894X(03)00253-1
2002
Journal Article
Recent discovery and development of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors
Blaskovich, Mark A. and Kim, Hwa-Ok (2002). Recent discovery and development of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 12 (6), 871-905. doi: 10.1517/13543776.12.6.871
2002
Journal Article
Preparation of 1-[N-benzyloxycarbonyl-(1S)-1-amino-2-oxoethyl]-4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2] octane: [Carbamic acid, [1-(4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-, phenylmethyl ester, (S)-]
Rose, Nicholas G. W., Blaskovich, Mark A., Evindar, Ghotas, Wilkinson, Scott, Luo, Yue, Fishlock, Dan, Reid, Chris, Lajoie, Gilles A., Gordon, Richard S. and Holmes, Andrew B. (2002). Preparation of 1-[N-benzyloxycarbonyl-(1S)-1-amino-2-oxoethyl]-4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2] octane: [Carbamic acid, [1-(4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-, phenylmethyl ester, (S)-]. Organic Syntheses, 79 doi: 10.15227/orgsyn.079.0216
2002
Journal Article
Preparation of 1-[N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-(1S)-1-amino-2-oxoethyl]-4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane
Rose, Nicholas G.W., Blaskovich, Mark A., Evindar, Ghotas, Wilkinson, Scott, Luo, Yue, Reid, C. and Lajoie, Gilles A. (2002). Preparation of 1-[N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-(1S)-1-amino-2-oxoethyl]-4-methyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane. Organic syntheses, 79, 216-221. doi: 10.1002/0471264180.os079.26
2001
Conference Publication
4-substituted urazoles from amino acids: Useful building-blocks for the synthesis of beta-strand peptidomimetics.
Paparin, JL, Hwang, SH, Nguyen, M, Zheng, Y, Ruan, FQ, Little, T and Blaskovich, MA (2001). 4-substituted urazoles from amino acids: Useful building-blocks for the synthesis of beta-strand peptidomimetics.. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2001
Conference Publication
Design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine mimetic phenylalanine derivatives.
Kim, HO, Yan, Z, Blaskovich, M and Kahn, M (2001). Design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine mimetic phenylalanine derivatives.. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2001
Conference Publication
Facile synthesis of alpha-amino alcohols from alpha-amino acids.
Hwang, SH, Blaskovich, M and Kim, HO (2001). Facile synthesis of alpha-amino alcohols from alpha-amino acids.. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2001
Journal Article
Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched beta,gamma-unsaturated-alpha-amino acids
Rose, Ngw, Blaskovich, MA, Wong, A and Lajoie, GA (2001). Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched beta,gamma-unsaturated-alpha-amino acids. Tetrahedron, 57 (8), 1497-1507. doi: 10.1016/S0040-4020(00)01146-7
2000
Conference Publication
Highly efficient and versatile construction of secondary structure peptide mimetic libraries: Application to biology and drug development
Blaskovich, MA, Boatman, PD, Cao, BL, Eguchi, M, Kim, HO, Lee, M, Little, T, Mathew, F, McCann, I, Mehlin, C, Nakanishi, H, Nelson, S, Nguyen, M, Ogbu, C, Qabar, MN, Ruan, FQ, Shea, JP, Stasiak, M, Urban, J and Kahn, M (2000). Highly efficient and versatile construction of secondary structure peptide mimetic libraries: Application to biology and drug development. 16th American Peptide Symposium, Minneapolis Mn, Jun 26-Jul 01, 1999. DORDRECHT: SPRINGER.
1999
Journal Article
Stereoselective synthesis of beta-substituted alpha,beta-diamino acids from beta-hydroxy amino acids
Luo, Y, Blaskovich, MA and Lajoie, GA (1999). Stereoselective synthesis of beta-substituted alpha,beta-diamino acids from beta-hydroxy amino acids. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 64 (16), 6106-6111. doi: 10.1021/jo9904718
1998
Journal Article
Highly efficient and versatile synthesis of libraries of constrained beta-strand mimetics
Ogbu, CO, Qabar, MN, Boatman, PD, Urban, J, Meara, JP, Ferguson, MD, Tulinsky, J, Lum, C, Babu, S, Blaskovich, MA, Nakanishi, H, Ruan, FQ, Cao, BL, Minarik, R, Little, T, Nelson, S, Nguyen, M, Gall, A and Kahn, M (1998). Highly efficient and versatile synthesis of libraries of constrained beta-strand mimetics. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 8 (17), 2321-2326. doi: 10.1016/S0960-894X(98)00420-X
1998
Journal Article
Polymer-supported acetylide addition to hexa-2,4-dienal
Blaskovich, MA and Kahn, M (1998). Polymer-supported acetylide addition to hexa-2,4-dienal. Synthesis-Stuttgart (7), 965-966.
1998
Journal Article
Stereoselective synthesis of Threo and Erythro beta-hydroxy and beta-disubstituted-beta-hydroxy alpha-amino acids (vol 63, pg 3635, 1998)
Blaskovich, MA, Evindar, G, Rose, NGW, Wilkinson, S, Luo, Y and Lajoie, GA (1998). Stereoselective synthesis of Threo and Erythro beta-hydroxy and beta-disubstituted-beta-hydroxy alpha-amino acids (vol 63, pg 3635, 1998). Journal of Organic Chemistry, 63 (13), 4560-4560. doi: 10.1021/jo9849853
1998
Journal Article
Stereoselective synthesis of threo and erythro beta-hydroxy and beta-disubstituted-beta-hydroxy alpha-amino acids
Blaskovich, MA, Evindar, G, Rose, NGW, Wilkinson, S, Luo, Y and Lajoie, GA (1998). Stereoselective synthesis of threo and erythro beta-hydroxy and beta-disubstituted-beta-hydroxy alpha-amino acids. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 63 (11), 3631-3646. doi: 10.1021/jo972294l
1998
Journal Article
Regiocontrol in alkylations of alpha-silyl hydrazones
Blaskovich, MA and Rickards, RW (1998). Regiocontrol in alkylations of alpha-silyl hydrazones. Tetrahedron Letters, 39 (21), 3617-3620. doi: 10.1016/S0040-4039(98)00564-4
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Blaskovich is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Functionalised antibiotics for diagnostics and therapeutics
The increasing incidence of infections caused by drug resistant bacteria and fungi poses a significant and increasing threat to global human health, with predicted annual mortality of 10 million people by 2050. It is imperative to advance new technologies capable of rapidly and accurately diagnosing infections to enable timely and appropriate therapy. We must develop new antibiotics with efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi, and new methods to rapidy diagnose infections. To enable this we require fundamental studies that probe the chemical biology of antibiotic action and investigate microbial growth, metabolism and resistance.
This research program is designed to achieve these goals, based on the chemical functionalisation of antibiotics with a readily derivatised handle. The resulting set of versatile intermediates is then modified to create 1) fluorescent probes that can catalyse basic research and lead to new assays, 2) clinical imaging agents to visualise microbial infections, and 3) novel hybrid therapeutics. The project requires talented synthetic organic chemists with an interest in multidisciplinary research.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigations of the interactions between fluorescent antibiotics and bacteria
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sanjaya Kc, Dr Anthony Verderosa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Hijacking Iron Uptake to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro, Dr Anthony Verderosa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Design and synthesis of novel tyrosinase inhibitors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zyta M Ziora
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of biofilm dispersal of Nontuberculous mycobacteria and Legionella in contaminated water environments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rachel Thomson, Professor Jianhua Guo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Clicking Conjugates into Place for the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield, Dr Rhia Stone, Dr Anthony Verderosa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotic Conjugates: Joining Together to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigations of novel antimicrobial agents and formulations to treat topical agricultural infections.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Conny Turni, Dr Sanjaya Kc
-
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotic potentiators as an alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative infections.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Johannes Zuegg
-
Doctor Philosophy
Repurposing Drugs, Redefining Models: Tackling Antimicrobial-Resistant Gonorrhoea
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Johannes Zuegg, Dr Tanuka Sen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Translating the Targeted Protein Degradation therapeutic approach into the context of antibacterial drug discovery: Investigating bacterial protease-engaging antibacterial degrader constructs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anthony Verderosa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Seeing the Unseen: Imaging Bacterial Infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Dr Rhia Stone
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanism of action of MgO
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Conny Turni, Dr Sean Bisset, Professor Ian Henderson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting bacterial biofilms in patients with gastrointestinal disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Medicinal chemistry strategies to remove bacterial biofilms associated with gastrointestinal disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Seeing the Unseen: Imaging Bacterial Infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Dr Rhia Stone
-
Doctor Philosophy
A global quantitative genetic network for Escherichia coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Metal Organic Frameworks for targeted oral drug delivery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anjana Jayasree, Professor Amirali Popat
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of computational models to discover new antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria. (Note: online component of Onawole's application lists his Master's thesis title instead of this project)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Johannes Zuegg
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting the Biogenesis of Resistance Enzymes to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler, Professor Ian Henderson, Dr Anthony Verderosa
-
Doctor Philosophy
How does cannabidiol kill bacteria?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tanuka Sen, Dr Johannes Zuegg
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Selenium - The SuperElement against Superbugs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Molecular Accumulation in antimicrobial resistant microbes
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Expression and Characterisation of Human Tyrosinase as a Target for Novel Inhibitor Development
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zyta M Ziora
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Structure-Activity and Structure-Toxicity Relationships of novel octapeptin antibiotic derivatives against Gram-negative Bacteria
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Deciphering Antibiotic Modes of Action and Profiling Microbial Resistance with Novel Fluorescent Probes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of Gram-positive antibiotics
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of new bicyclic nitroimidazoles as antimicrobial agents
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Tagged Antibiotics for Examination of Bacterial Resistance and Infection
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
ß-hairpin antimicrobial peptides: structure, function and mode of action
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable antimicrobial coating materials for potential face mask application
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Rowan, Dr Nasim Amiralian
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis and Physico-chemical characterization of waste derived carbon adsorbents for wastewater treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zyta M Ziora
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Biobased Silver Nano-Particles for Application as Wastewater Disinfectant
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zyta M Ziora
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the Aat system for the acylation and secretion of CexE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Advanced Formulation Technologies for Oral Delivery of Antimicrobial Agents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Amirali Popat, Dr James Robert Falconer
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Immunopharmacology of the Complement C5a Receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Dr John Lee, Professor Trent Woodruff
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating Genotypic and Phenotypic Variability against Polymyxins and a Novel Lipopeptide, Octapeptin C4, in Antibiotic-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Associate Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Nitroimidazole and Glycopeptide Antibiotics Targeting Enteric Pathogens
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Mark Blaskovich directly for media enquiries about:
- acne
- antibiotic resistance
- antibiotics
- antimicrobial resistance
- antimicrobial resistance antibiotics
- bacteria
- bacterial detection
- bacterial infection
- bacterial resistance
- drug design
- drug development
- drug discovery
- E. coli
- glycopeptide antibiotics
- golden staph
- gram negative bacteria
- gram positive bacteria
- microbiome
- octapeptin
- superbugs
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: