Overview
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
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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Venom Peptides
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Ion Channels
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Neuropharmacology
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Pain
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Neurodegeneration
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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.
Works
Search Professor Fernanda Cardoso’s works on UQ eSpace
2009
Journal Article
Molecular characterization of the Schistosoma mansoni zinc finger protein SmZF1 as a transcription factor
Drummond, Marcela G., Calzavara-Silva, Carlos E., D'Astolfo, Diego S., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Rajao, Matheus A., Mourão, Marina M., Gava, Elisandra, Oliveira, Sérgio C., Macedo, Andréa M., Machado, Carlos R., Pena, Sérgio D. J., Kitten, Gregory T. and Franco, Glória R. (2009). Molecular characterization of the Schistosoma mansoni zinc finger protein SmZF1 as a transcription factor. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 3 (11) e547, e547.1-e547.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000547
2009
Journal Article
Sm21.6 a novel EF-hand family protein member located on the surface of Schistosoma mansoni adult worm that failed to induce protection against challenge infection but reduced liver pathology
Lopes, Debora O., Paiva, Leonardo F., Martins, Mauricio A., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Rajao, Matheus A., Pinho, Jean M., Caliari, Marcelo V., Correa-Oliveira, Rodrigo, Mello, Samantha M., Leite, Luciana. C. C. and Oliveira, Sergio C. (2009). Sm21.6 a novel EF-hand family protein member located on the surface of Schistosoma mansoni adult worm that failed to induce protection against challenge infection but reduced liver pathology. Vaccine, 27 (31), 4127-4135. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.04.068
2009
Journal Article
Immunization with recombinant Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis heat-shock protein (Hsp)-60 is able to induce an immune response in mice, but fails to confer protection against infection
Pihno, Jean Marcel Rodrigues, Dorella, Fernanda Alves, Coelho, Keila da Silva, Fonseca, Cristina Toscano, Cardoso, Fernanda Caldas, Meyer, Roberto, Portela, Ricardo Wagner Dias, Oliveira, Sergio Costa, Miyoshi, Anderson and Azevedo, Vasco (2009). Immunization with recombinant Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis heat-shock protein (Hsp)-60 is able to induce an immune response in mice, but fails to confer protection against infection. The Open Veterinary Science Journal, 3, 22-27. doi: 10.2174/1874318809003010022
2008
Journal Article
Recent advances in vaccine research against schistosomiasis in Brazil
Oliveira, Sergio C., Fonseca, Cristina T., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Farias, Leonardo P. and Leite, Luciana C. C. (2008). Recent advances in vaccine research against schistosomiasis in Brazil. Acta Tropica, 108 (2-3), 256-262. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2008.05.023
2008
Journal Article
Schistosoma mansoni tegument protein Sm29 is able to induce a Th1-type of immune response and protection against parasite infection
Cardoso, Fernanda C., Macedo, Gilson C., Gava, Elisandra, Kitten, Gregory T., Mati, Vitor L., de Melo, Alan L., Caliari, Marcelo V., Almeida, Giulliana T., Venancio, Thiago M., Verjovski-Almeida, Sergio and Oliveira, Sergio C. (2008). Schistosoma mansoni tegument protein Sm29 is able to induce a Th1-type of immune response and protection against parasite infection. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2 (10) e308, e308.1-e308.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000308
2008
Conference Publication
Vaccines against Schistosomiasis: production of single and chimeric tegument antigens for pre-clinical and clinical studies
Cardoso, F. C., Pearson, M., Giacomoantonio, P., Tribolet, L., Pickering, D., Shoemaker, C., Oliveira, S. C. and Loukas, A. (2008). Vaccines against Schistosomiasis: production of single and chimeric tegument antigens for pre-clinical and clinical studies. 11th Symposium of Schistosomiasis, Salvador, BA, Brazil, 20-22 August 2008.
2007
Other Outputs
Membrane protein Sm29 of S. mansoni and uses thereof as vaccine and for diagnosing of schistosomiasis
Cardoso, F. C. and Oliveira, S. C. (2007). Membrane protein Sm29 of S. mansoni and uses thereof as vaccine and for diagnosing of schistosomiasis. WO 2007118292 A2.
2007
Journal Article
The role of the vacB gene in the pathogenesis of Brucella abortus
Miyoshi, Anderson, Rosinha, Gracia M.S., Camargo, Ilana L.B.C., Trant, Cyntia M.C., Cardoso, Fernanda C., Azevedo, Vasco and Oliveira, Sergio C. (2007). The role of the vacB gene in the pathogenesis of Brucella abortus. Microbes and Infection, 9 (3), 375-391. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2006.12.004
2007
Conference Publication
Vaccine against schistosomiasis: The role of a new tegument protein Sm29 on human and murine protective immune responses
Cardoso, F. C., Gava, E., Macedo, G. C., Kitten, G. T., Mello, A. L., Caliari, M. V. and Oliveira, S. C. (2007). Vaccine against schistosomiasis: The role of a new tegument protein Sm29 on human and murine protective immune responses. 13th International Congress of Immunology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 21-25 August 2007.
2006
Journal Article
Identification of a new Schistosoma mansoni membrane-bound protein through bioinformatic analysis
Cardoso, F. C., Pinho, J. M. R., Azevedo, V. and Oliveira, S. C. (2006). Identification of a new Schistosoma mansoni membrane-bound protein through bioinformatic analysis. Genetics and Molecular Research, 5 (4), 609-618.
2006
Journal Article
Human antibody responses of patients living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis to the tegumental protein Sm29 identified through genomic studies
Cardoso, F. C., Pacífico, R. N. A., Mortara, R. A. and Oliveira, S. C. (2006). Human antibody responses of patients living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis to the tegumental protein Sm29 identified through genomic studies. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 144 (3), 382-391. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03081.x
2006
Other Outputs
Membrane protein Sm29 of schistosoma mansoni and uses thereof for treating and diagnosing schistosomiasis
Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Oliveira, Sergio C. (2006). Membrane protein Sm29 of schistosoma mansoni and uses thereof for treating and diagnosing schistosomiasis. WO2007118292A3.
2005
Conference Publication
Human IgG3 recognition of Schistosoma mansoni 29 kDa membrane bound protien identified by a bioinformatic approach
Cardoso, F. C., Pacifico, R. N. A. and Oliveira, S. C. (2005). Human IgG3 recognition of Schistosoma mansoni 29 kDa membrane bound protien identified by a bioinformatic approach. XLI Congress of Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine, Florianopolis, Brazil, 6-10 March 2005.
2003
Journal Article
Molecular cloning and characterization of Phoneutria nigriventer toxins active on calcium channels
Cardoso, F. C., Pacífico, L. G., Carvalho, D. C., Victoria, J. M. N., Neves, A. L. G., Chavez-Olortegui, C., Gomez, M. V. and Kalapothakis, E. (2003). Molecular cloning and characterization of Phoneutria nigriventer toxins active on calcium channels. Toxicon, 41 (7), 755-763. doi: 10.1016/S0041-0101(03)00011-4
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Fernanda Cardoso is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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
Completed supervision
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2025
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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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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