Dr Fernanda Cardoso
Dr

Fernanda Cardoso

Email: 

Background

Researching venom peptides and ion channel pharmacology to develop next-generation therapeutics for neurological disorders

Dr Fernanda Cardoso is a Brazil-born Australian dual-citizen researcher interested in venom peptide-based biodiscovery and therapeutics development. Cardoso was awarded an MSc in Molecular Pharmacology and a PhD with an emphasis in Biochemistry and Immunology and is part of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, where she develops novel therapies for complex neurological diseases. Cardoso has interdisciplinary training in the fields of neuropharmacology, medicinal chemistry and chemical biology and a strong background in drug discovery, which provides the skills to identify naturally occurring or synthetic bioactive molecules and to study their effects in human physiology with applications in neurologic disorders such as chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and motor neuron disease (MND). Please see Dr Cardoso’s Grants and Publications list for more details.

Before joining the University of Queensland, Dr Cardoso was part of the Queensland Institute for Medical Research, holding a prestigious CAPES Postdoctoral Fellowship. During this period, Cardoso developed unique high-throughput screen platforms for discovering protein and peptide targets of novel therapies to combat infectious diseases and novel helminth-derived bioactives with anti-inflammatory properties. Please see Dr Cardoso’s Publications list for more details.

Dr Cardoso is currently part of the Centre for Drug Discovery and manages several industry and academic projects studying ion channel modulators derived from natural repertoires, particularly venoms, and developing novel, effective drugs to treat neurological disorders.

Availability

Dr Fernanda Cardoso is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Chemical Sciences Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics Clinical sciences Immunology Infectious diseases Medical biochemistry - proteins and peptides (incl. medical proteomics) Medical biochemistry and metabolomics Medical microbiology Medical parasitology Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Molecular medicine Neurosciences Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences Proteins and peptides

Qualifications

  • Bachelor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
  • Masters (Research) of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Research interests

  • Venom Peptides

  • Ion Channels

  • Neuropharmacology

  • Pain

  • Neurodegeneration

  • Biophysics

Research impacts

Dr. Fernanda Cardoso's research has provided remarkable insights into the discovery and biology of new agents for therapeutical use in complex disorders such as chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and motor neuron disease, and vaccinology against tropical diseases. Her ongoing research in ion channel modulators has provided unique leads for treating neuropathic pain and neurodegenerative disorders, which could improve the lives of millions of individuals around the globe, and her past discoveries in vaccine research have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa, Asia and South America through a vaccine against schistosomiasis.

Search Professor Fernanda Cardoso’s works on UQ eSpace

137 works between 2003 and 2026
All (137) Journal Article (69) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (64) Book Chapter (2)

1 - 20 of 137 works

2026

Journal Article

Voltage-gating and neuronal signalling in neurodegeneration: from neuropathology to therapeutic opportunities in motor neuron disease

Kotapati, Charan, Tran, Van and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2026). Voltage-gating and neuronal signalling in neurodegeneration: from neuropathology to therapeutic opportunities in motor neuron disease. Neurobiology of Disease, 221 107336, 107336. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2026.107336

Voltage-gating and neuronal signalling in neurodegeneration: from neuropathology to therapeutic opportunities in motor neuron disease

2026

Journal Article

Singapore blue arboreal tarantula peptide Lv1a preferentially targets NaV1.6 with new world–like pharmacological mechanism

Cardoso, Fernanda C., Muller, Jessica A.I. and Lewis, Richard J. (2026). Singapore blue arboreal tarantula peptide Lv1a preferentially targets NaV1.6 with new world–like pharmacological mechanism. Biochemical Pharmacology, 244 117565, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2025.117565

Singapore blue arboreal tarantula peptide Lv1a preferentially targets NaV1.6 with new world–like pharmacological mechanism

2026

Journal Article

Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by phenoxyanilide analogues

Bispat, Anjie S., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Hasan, Mahadhi, Adams, Callum E., Lewis, Richard J., Duggan, Peter J. and Tuck, Kellie L. (2026). Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by phenoxyanilide analogues. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 132 118449, 118449. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2025.118449

Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by phenoxyanilide analogues

2025

Journal Article

Genome of venomous caterpillar Doratifera vulnerans reveals recruitment of immune peptides and their adaptation as pain-inducing toxins

Goudarzi, Mohaddeseh H., Robinson, Samuel D., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Suryamohan, Kushal, Lawrence, Nicole, Eagles, David A., Hoang, Huy N., Vetter, Irina, Fairlie, David P., Seshagiri, Somasekar, King, Glenn F. and Walker, Andrew A. (2025). Genome of venomous caterpillar Doratifera vulnerans reveals recruitment of immune peptides and their adaptation as pain-inducing toxins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122 (49) e2513640122, 1-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2513640122

Genome of venomous caterpillar Doratifera vulnerans reveals recruitment of immune peptides and their adaptation as pain-inducing toxins

2025

Journal Article

Venom peptides across Asian and American tarantulas utilize dual pharmacology to target activation and fast inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels

Nashikwala, Amatulla S., Kotapati, Charan, Eagles, David A., Lewis, Richard J. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2025). Venom peptides across Asian and American tarantulas utilize dual pharmacology to target activation and fast inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Toxins, 17 (11) 561, 561. doi: 10.3390/toxins17110561

Venom peptides across Asian and American tarantulas utilize dual pharmacology to target activation and fast inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels

2025

Journal Article

Profiling the paralytic effects and lethality of cone snail venom toxins using nanofractionation analytics with in vivo zebrafish larvae assays

Kool, Jeroen, Arrahman, Arif, Xu, Haifeng, Liu, Jiaxing, Lewis, Richard J., Tudorache, Christian and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2025). Profiling the paralytic effects and lethality of cone snail venom toxins using nanofractionation analytics with in vivo zebrafish larvae assays. Toxins, 17 (10) 504, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/toxins17100504

Profiling the paralytic effects and lethality of cone snail venom toxins using nanofractionation analytics with in vivo zebrafish larvae assays

2025

Conference Publication

Selective modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels on motor neurons as a therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AI Muller, Jessica, Kanjhan, Refik, Tran, Van, Kotapati, Charan, Thakre, Prajwal P., Bellingham, Mark C., Giacomotto, Jean and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2025). Selective modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels on motor neurons as a therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS), Melbourne, VIC Australia, 7-9 September 2025.

Selective modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels on motor neurons as a therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2025

Journal Article

Maresin 2, a Specialized Pro-Resolution Lipid Mediator, Reduces Pain and Inflammation Induced by Bothrops jararaca Venom in Mice

Dantas, Kassyo L. S., Bianchini, Beatriz H. S., da Silva, Matheus D. V., Piva, Maiara, da Cunha, Joice M., Zanoveli, Janaina M., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Vicentini, Fabiana T. M. C., Ferraz, Camila R., Clissa, Patricia B., Casagrande, Rubia and Verri, Waldiceu A. (2025). Maresin 2, a Specialized Pro-Resolution Lipid Mediator, Reduces Pain and Inflammation Induced by Bothrops jararaca Venom in Mice. Toxins, 17 (8) 367, 1-22. doi: 10.3390/toxins17080367

Maresin 2, a Specialized Pro-Resolution Lipid Mediator, Reduces Pain and Inflammation Induced by Bothrops jararaca Venom in Mice

2025

Journal Article

Modulation of intracellular calcium signaling by American pit viper venoms: A systematic review

Bourke, Lachlan A., Campbell, Sam I. D. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2025). Modulation of intracellular calcium signaling by American pit viper venoms: A systematic review. Toxin Reviews, 44 (4), 438-458. doi: 10.1080/15569543.2025.2510255

Modulation of intracellular calcium signaling by American pit viper venoms: A systematic review

2025

Journal Article

Venom peptides regulating Ca2+ homeostasis: neuroprotective potential

Muller, Jessica A.I., Bourke, Lachlan A., Campbell, Sam I.D. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2025). Venom peptides regulating Ca2+ homeostasis: neuroprotective potential. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 46 (5), 407-421. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2025.03.007

Venom peptides regulating Ca2+ homeostasis: neuroprotective potential

2025

Journal Article

Parallel in vitro ion channel and in vivo zebrafish assaying of elapid snake venoms following chromatographic separation of toxin components

Arrahman, Arif, Xu, Haifeng, Khan, Muzaffar A., Bos, Tijmen S., Slagboom, Julien, van der Velden, Guus C., Nehrdich, Ulrike, Casewell, Nicholas R., Richardson, Michael K., Tudorache, Christian, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Kool, Jeroen (2025). Parallel in vitro ion channel and in vivo zebrafish assaying of elapid snake venoms following chromatographic separation of toxin components. SLAS Discovery, 34 100239, 100239. doi: 10.1016/j.slasd.2025.100239

Parallel in vitro ion channel and in vivo zebrafish assaying of elapid snake venoms following chromatographic separation of toxin components

2024

Conference Publication

Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6 as a novel target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment

Muller, Jessica A.I. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6 as a novel target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment. Cellular and Molecular Advances in Neurodegeneration, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 3 - 4 December 2024.

Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6 as a novel target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment

2024

Conference Publication

Modulation of the complex NaV1.2β4 as a therapeutic strategy to cease motor neuron hyperexcitability prior to the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Kotapati, Charan and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Modulation of the complex NaV1.2β4 as a therapeutic strategy to cease motor neuron hyperexcitability prior to the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cellular and Molecular Advances in Neurodegeneration, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 3 - 4 December 2024.

Modulation of the complex NaV1.2β4 as a therapeutic strategy to cease motor neuron hyperexcitability prior to the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2024

Conference Publication

Venom peptides unlock dysfunctional ion channels in motor neurodegeneration and shed light onto pathophysiology and key drug targets

Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Venom peptides unlock dysfunctional ion channels in motor neurodegeneration and shed light onto pathophysiology and key drug targets. 22nd World Congress of the International-Society-of-Toxinology (IST), Singapore, Singapore, 20-25 May 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107904

Venom peptides unlock dysfunctional ion channels in motor neurodegeneration and shed light onto pathophysiology and key drug targets

2024

Conference Publication

Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6 as a novel target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment

Muller, Jessica A.I. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6 as a novel target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment. 22nd World Congress of the International-Society-of-Toxinology (IST), Singapore, Singapore, 20-25 May 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107968

Voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6 as a novel target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment

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

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

Probing ion channels on motor neuron pathways to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms and unravel novel drug targets in motor neurodegeneration

Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Probing ion channels on motor neuron pathways to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms and unravel novel drug targets in motor neurodegeneration. Ion Channel Modulation Symposium, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 18-20 July 2024.

Probing ion channels on motor neuron pathways to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms and unravel novel drug targets in motor neurodegeneration

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

Modulation of the complex NaV1.2β4 as a therapeutic strategy to cease motor neuron hyperexcitability prior to the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Kotapati, Charan and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2024). Modulation of the complex NaV1.2β4 as a therapeutic strategy to cease motor neuron hyperexcitability prior to the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Institute for Molecular Bioscience Student Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 12 July.

Modulation of the complex NaV1.2β4 as a therapeutic strategy to cease motor neuron hyperexcitability prior to the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Peptide Inhibitors Targeting Sodium Channels to Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Novel multifunctional analgesic sodium channel inhibitors
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Development of dual Nav1.1/1.7 inhibitors for the treatment of IBS-related pain
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Fernanda Cardoso is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Brett Collins

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Fernanda Cardoso directly for media enquiries about:

  • Analgesics
  • Bio-active peptides
  • Drug discovery
  • Ion channels
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Motor Neuron Disease
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Neurological disorders
  • Pain
  • Snake
  • Spider
  • Toxins
  • Venoms

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au