Overview
Background
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
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
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Chronic pain - Mechanisms of pain and Therapeutics development, Visceral Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Neurodegeneration - Pathophysiology and Therapeutics development
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Venomics and Pharmacology of Spiders, Cone snails and Snake venoms
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Structure-function properties of venom peptides and proteins
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Voltage-gated Ion Channels
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.
Works
Search Professor Fernanda Cardoso’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Journal Article
Structure–function and therapeutic potential of spider venom-derived cysteine knot peptides targeting sodium channels
Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richard J. (2019). Structure–function and therapeutic potential of spider venom-derived cysteine knot peptides targeting sodium channels. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10 (APR) 366, 366. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00366
2019
Journal Article
‘Messy’ Processing of χ-conotoxin MrIA Generates Homologues with Reduced hNET Potency
Ziegman, Rebekah , Brust, Andreas , Jha, Prerna , Cardoso, Fernanda C. , Lewis, Richard J. and Alewood, Paul F. (2019). ‘Messy’ Processing of χ-conotoxin MrIA Generates Homologues with Reduced hNET Potency. Marine Drugs, 17 (3) 165, 165. doi: 10.3390/md17030165
2019
Conference Publication
Molecular interactions between spider toxins and the sodium channel Nav1.1
Hu, Huyiu, Lewis, Richard J. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2019). Molecular interactions between spider toxins and the sodium channel Nav1.1. Pain Retreat 2019, Stradbroke Island, QLD Australia, 27-29 May 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Structure-function relationships of spider venom neurotoxins: what are we learning from it?
Cardoso, Fernadna C. (2019). Structure-function relationships of spider venom neurotoxins: what are we learning from it?. Pain Retreat 2019, Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia, 27-29 May 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Discovery of novel cav and nav modulators in spider venoms and applications in the development of drugs to treat chronic pain
Cardoso, Fernanda C., King, Glenn F. and Lewis, R. J. (2019). Discovery of novel cav and nav modulators in spider venoms and applications in the development of drugs to treat chronic pain. 19th World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology, Haikou City, Hainan Province, China, 24-31 October 2017. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2019
Conference Publication
New insights in ω-conotoxin analgesic efficacy in postsurgical pain and oxaliplatin/cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy
Hasan, Mahadhi, Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Vetter, Irina, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richard J. (2019). New insights in ω-conotoxin analgesic efficacy in postsurgical pain and oxaliplatin/cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Harnessing multifunctional spider peptides to modulate pain pathways
Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2019). Harnessing multifunctional spider peptides to modulate pain pathways. International Society for Toxinology World Conference 2019, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 8-13 September 2019. OXFORD: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD.
2019
Conference Publication
Rational design of spider knottin Phlo3a to strategically modulate multiple noxious NaV channels
Dongol, Yashad, Choi, Phil, Wilson, David, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richards J. (2019). Rational design of spider knottin Phlo3a to strategically modulate multiple noxious NaV channels. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Characterization of δ-conotoxin Tx-VIA as selective T-type modulator
Wang, Dan, Himaya, S. W. A., Giacomotto, Jean, Hasan, Mahadhi, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richard J. (2019). Characterization of δ-conotoxin Tx-VIA as selective T-type modulator. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Disclosing the bioactive surface of the potent NaV channel inhibitor ProTx-III [μ-TRTX-Tp1a]
Zhao, Tianjiao, Rosengren, K. Johan, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richard J. (2019). Disclosing the bioactive surface of the potent NaV channel inhibitor ProTx-III [μ-TRTX-Tp1a]. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Cooperative interactions of loops 1, 4 and C-terminal of the ICK spider peptide Tap1a engender NaV inhibitory properties
Mawlawi, Saja E., Zhao, Thianjiao, Lewis, Richard J. and Cardoso, Fernanda C. (2019). Cooperative interactions of loops 1, 4 and C-terminal of the ICK spider peptide Tap1a engender NaV inhibitory properties. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 November 2019.
2018
Journal Article
Neurotoxicity fingerprinting of venoms using on-line microfluidic AChBP profiling
Slagboom, Julien, Otvos, Reka A., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Iyer, Janaki, Visser, Jeroen C., van Doodewaerd, Bjorn R., McCleary, Ryan J.R., Niessen, Wilfried M.A., Somsen, Govert W., Lewis, Richard J., Kini, R. Manjunatha, Smit, August B., Casewell, Nicholas R. and Kool, Jeroen (2018). Neurotoxicity fingerprinting of venoms using on-line microfluidic AChBP profiling. Toxicon, 148, 213-222. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.022
2018
Journal Article
Synthesis and evaluation of aminobenzothiazoles as blockers of N- and T-type calcium channels
Sairaman, Anjali, Cardoso, Fernanda Caldas, Bispat, Anjie, Lewis, Richard J., Duggan, Peter J. and Tuck, Kellie L. (2018). Synthesis and evaluation of aminobenzothiazoles as blockers of N- and T-type calcium channels. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 26 (11), 3046-3059. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.03.031
2018
Journal Article
Design, synthesis and biological profile of mixed opioid agonist/N-VGCC blocker peptides
Stefanucci, Azzurra, Novelino, Ettore, Macedonio, Giorgia, Dimmito, Marilia Pia, Mirzaie, Sako, Cardoso, Fernanda Caldas , Lewis, Richard, Zador, Ferenc, Erdei, Anna I., Dvoracsko, Szabolcs, Tomboly, Csaba, Benych, Sandor, Pieretti, Stefano, Minosi, Paola and Mollica, Adriano (2018). Design, synthesis and biological profile of mixed opioid agonist/N-VGCC blocker peptides. New Journal of Chemistry, 42 (8), 5656-5659. doi: 10.1039/c7nj04969b
2018
Journal Article
Toxins in pain
Cardoso, Fernanda C., Hasan, Mahadhi, Zhao, Tianjiao and Lewis, Richard J. (2018). Toxins in pain. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 12 (2), 1-10. doi: 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000335
2018
Conference Publication
Can Phlo3a – a newly discovered spider knottin – meets the challenges to strategically modulate noxious Nav-channels?
Dongol, Y., Cardoso, F. C. and Lewis, R. J. (2018). Can Phlo3a – a newly discovered spider knottin – meets the challenges to strategically modulate noxious Nav-channels?. Brisbane Pain Research: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 7 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Disclosing the bioactive surface of the potent NaV channel inhibitor ProTx-III [μ-TRTX-Tp1a]
Zhao, T., Cardoso, F.C. and Lewis, R.J. (2018). Disclosing the bioactive surface of the potent NaV channel inhibitor ProTx-III [μ-TRTX-Tp1a]. Brisbane Pain Research: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 7 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Comparative analysis of transfection methods to establish high-throughput automated electrophysiology assays for key ion channels involved in pain
Hasan, M.D., Cardoso, F.C. and Lewis, R.J. (2018). Comparative analysis of transfection methods to establish high-throughput automated electrophysiology assays for key ion channels involved in pain. Brisbane Pain Research: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 7 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Jararhagin, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops jararaca venom, induces mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia through TRPV1 channel activation
Ferraz, C. R., Cardos, F. C., Clissa, P. B., Vetter, I., Verri Jr, W. A. and Lewis, R. J. (2018). Jararhagin, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops jararaca venom, induces mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia through TRPV1 channel activation. Brisbane Pain Research: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 7 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Counter screen of spider venoms reveals novel sodium and calcium channel inhibitors of chronic pain targets.
Cardoso, F. C., Herzig, V., King, G. F. and Lewis, R. J. (2018). Counter screen of spider venoms reveals novel sodium and calcium channel inhibitors of chronic pain targets.. Gordon Research Conference on Venom Evolution, Function and Biomedical Applications 2018, Mount Snow, VT, United States, 5-10 August 2018.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Fernanda Cardoso is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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We are seeking enthusiastic students to join our Lab! Please get in touch with us if you want to learn from our fantastic team at the Institute for Molecular Biosciences!
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Discovery and characterization of bio-active molecules from animal venoms
We have open positions for Research Students to develop projects in discovery, characterization and structure-function studies of bio-active compounds in animal venoms and other natural repertoires. Students will develop skills in high throughput cellular assays using fluorescence imaging assays, manual and automated whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectometry, recombinant expression, peptide synthesis, amongst other state-of-the-art methods and techiniques. Students will also co-author papers and be involved in writting and figures preparation for research publications from their work.
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Therapeutics development
We have open positions for Research Students to develop projects in therapies for treating Chronic Pain, Visceral Pain and Motor Neuron Disease. These novel therapies will be developed from bio-active compounds targeting voltage-gated sodium and/or calcium channels. Students will develop skills in manual and automated whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectometry, recombinant expression, peptide synthesis, amongst other state-of-the-art methods and techiniques. Students will also co-author papers and be involved in writting and figures preparation for research publications from their work.
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Other research projects in HDR
On-going
Isolation and characterisation of novel analgesic conotoxins - Tianjiao Zhao Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Completed
The unexplored pharmacopeia of Australian spiders: learning from the experts - Hayden Wirth (2022) Science Honours — Principal Advisor
Peptides targeting sodium channels to treat Motor Neuron Disease - Charan Kotapati (2022) Biomedical Sciences Honours — Principal Advisor
Structure-Function and Rational Design of a Newly Discovered Spider Venom Peptide Ssp1a at hNaV1.2, hNaV1.3 and hNaV1.7 Yashad Dongol (2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Spider-venom peptides targeting ion channels in chronic pain pathways - Amatulla Shakir Nashikwala (2022) Master Coursework — Principal Advisor
In vitro assessment of human neuroblastoma cytotoxicity induced by snake venoms - Simon Kramer (2022) Summer Research project — Principal Advisor
Molecular pharmacology and peripheral analgesia of omega-conotoxins- Mahadhi Hasan (2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Discovery and Characterisation of Venom Peptide and Small Molecule Modulators for T-type Calcium Channels - Dan Wang (2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Molecular interactions between spider peptides and the sodium channel Nav1.1 - Huyiu Hu (2019) Masters Coursework — Principal Advisor
Structure-function relatioships of the multifunctional spider peptide Tap1a - Saja E Mawlawi (2019) Masters Coursework — Principal Advisor
Novel ion channels modulators from Australian tarantula venoms - Phil M Choin (2015) Summer Research Project — Associate Advisor
N-type calcium channels modulators from Australian tarantula venoms - Wan Nur Amalina (2015) Summer Research Project — Associate Advisor
Isolation and characterization of novel spider venom peptides antagonizing voltage-gated calcium channels - Ching Koon Lim (2014) Masters Coursework — Associate Advisor
Optimizing the potency and selectivity of a spider-venom peptide that inhibits the analgesic target Nav1.7 - Andelain Erickson (2014) Honours — Associated Advisor
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Selective modulation voltage gated sodium channels to investigate pathophysiology and treatment for motor neuron disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Glenn King
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Doctor Philosophy
Clinical implications and evolutionary insights of Latin American pit viper venom function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker, Professor Bryan Fry
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Doctor Philosophy
Venom variation in New World pit vipers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker, Professor Bryan Fry
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Doctor Philosophy
Clinical implications and evolutionary insights of Latin American pit viper venom function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker, Professor Bryan Fry
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Venom Components as Analgesics and Pharmacological Tools to Elucidate Mammalian Pain Signalling Pathways
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler, Professor Glenn King
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A Pharmacological and Transcriptomic approach to exploring Novel Pain Targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Cabot, Professor Irina Vetter
Media
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
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