Professor Gary Schenk
Professor

Gary Schenk

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54144

Background

I obtained a Diploma in Chemistry from the University of Bern in Switzerland in 1992. Upon receiving the award of an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) I joined The University of Queensland (UQ) in 1993 to carry out research towards a PhD in Biochemistry(supervisors: Assoc. Profs. Peter Nixon and Ron Duggleby). I graduated in 1997 and continued postdoctoral research at UQ under the guidance of Profs John de Jersey, Susan Hamilton and Graeme Hanson. During this period, I was awarded Fellowships from both the Wellcome Trust and UQ. In 2000 I spent several months in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, collaborating with Prof. Geoff Sykes, and later that year I commenced a Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Chemistry Department at Stanford University (advisor: Prof. Edward Solomon). In 2003 I was appointed to a Lectureship in (Bio)Physical Chemistry at UQ. In 2006 I was promoted to Senior Lecturer. Following the award of a UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award (in 2007) I was promoted to Associate Professor (in 2008), and between 2011 and 2013 I was also on a fractional professorial appointment (50%) at Maynooth University, Ireland. From 2013 to 2017 I held a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council, and during this period I was promoted to Full Professor at UQ (2015). I also hold affiliate professorships in the Sustainable Minerals Institute and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, both located at UQ.

I have successfully focused my research on the investigation of enzyme-catalysed reactions, their optimisation for applications in biotechnology and the synthesis of small molecules that mimic their structure and catalytic function (i.e. biomimetics). I advanced understanding of the contribution of metals to enzyme-catalysed reactions and employed state-of-the-art technologies (e.g. cryo-EM, ancestral gene reconstruction) to develop enzyme inhibitors as leads for novel biocides (herbicides, fungicides, antibacterial compounds) and engineer enzymes with enhanced catalytic properties for industrial applications in the advanced manufacturing sector (i.e. cell-free enzyme cascades, next-gen fertilisers). My work into enzyme mechanisms, regulation and engineering received international acclaim evidenced by invitations to provide plenary and keynote lectures and review articles in prestigious journals. I have published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, including over 40 papers in the ACS staple (J. Am. Chem. Soc, ACS Catalysis, ACS Sus. Chem. Eng., Inorg. Chem, Chem. Rev., Acc. Chem. Rev.) as well as landmark studies in Nature, Nature Catalysis, Nature Communications and Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA). For my leadership in enzymology I was awarded a Future Fellowship by the Australian Research Council, a Foundation Research Excellence Award by UQ and, most recently, the prestigious role as Ambassador for the Technical University of Munich (TUM), an honour bestowed upon me also for my leading role in building an extensive network of collaborations between UQ and TUM in the areas of bioengineering and bioeconomy. The network has since evolved into the Global Bioeconomy Alliance.

Availability

Professor Gary Schenk is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Chemical Sciences Engineering Inorganic chemistry Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Reaction engineering (excl. nuclear reactions)

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Application of enzyme-driven processes in the bioeconomy

    I am interested in discovering and engineering enzymes for applications in biomanufacturing and bioremediation

Search Professor Gary Schenk’s works on UQ eSpace

269 works between 1996 and 2025
All (269) Journal Article (225) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (32) Book (1) Other Outputs (6)

221 - 240 of 269 works

2007

Conference Publication

Synthesis and characterization of the tetranuclear iron(III) complex of a new asymmetric multidentate ligand; a structural model for purple acid phosphatases

Aston, Robyn, Boudalis, Athanassios K., Gahan, Lawrence R., Riley, Mark J., Sanakis, Yiannis and Schenk, Gerhard (2007). Synthesis and characterization of the tetranuclear iron(III) complex of a new asymmetric multidentate ligand; a structural model for purple acid phosphatases. ICBIC13: 13th International Conference on Bio-Inorganic Chemistry, Vienna, Austria, 15-20 July, 2007. Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s00775-007-0258-2

Synthesis and characterization of the tetranuclear iron(III) complex of a new asymmetric multidentate ligand; a structural model for purple acid phosphatases

2007

Journal Article

Structure, function and diversity of plant purple acid phosphatases

Leung, Eleanor W. W., Teixeira, Marina, Guddat, Luke W., Mitić, Natasa and Schenk, Gerhard (2007). Structure, function and diversity of plant purple acid phosphatases. Current Topics in Plant Biology, 8, 21-31.

Structure, function and diversity of plant purple acid phosphatases

2007

Conference Publication

Magnetic circular dichroism study of a cobalt derivative of Enterobacter aerogenes GpdQ

Gahan, Lawrence R., Hadler, Kieran S., Larrabee, James A., Riley, Mark J. and Schenk, Gerhard (2007). Magnetic circular dichroism study of a cobalt derivative of Enterobacter aerogenes GpdQ. ICBIC13: 13th International Conference on Bio-Inorganic Chemistry, Vienna, Austria, 15-20 July, 2007. Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s00775-007-0256-4

Magnetic circular dichroism study of a cobalt derivative of Enterobacter aerogenes GpdQ

2007

Journal Article

Binuclear metallohydrases : emerging drug targets

Schenk, Gerhard (2007). Binuclear metallohydrases : emerging drug targets. Chemistry in Australia, 74 (8), 32-33.

Binuclear metallohydrases : emerging drug targets

2007

Conference Publication

Spectroscopic Studies into a series of biomimetic analogues for Red Kidney Bean Purple Acid Phosphatase

Dick, A., Gahan, L. R., Hanson, G., Krausz, E. R., Neves, A., Riley, M. J. and Schenk, G. (2007). Spectroscopic Studies into a series of biomimetic analogues for Red Kidney Bean Purple Acid Phosphatase. CPC2007: The 6th RACI Conference on Physical Chemistry, Adelaide, South Australia, 28 January - 2 February, 2007.

Spectroscopic Studies into a series of biomimetic analogues for Red Kidney Bean Purple Acid Phosphatase

2006

Journal Article

Anomalous scattering analysis of Agrobacterium radiobacter phosphotriesterase: the prominent role of iron in the heterobinuclear active site

Jackson, Colin J., Carr, Paul D., Kim, Hye-Kyung, Liu, Jian-Wei, Herrald, Paul, Mitic, Natasa, Schenk, Gerhard, Smith, Clyde A. and Ollis, David L. (2006). Anomalous scattering analysis of Agrobacterium radiobacter phosphotriesterase: the prominent role of iron in the heterobinuclear active site. Biochemical Journal, 397 (3), 501-508. doi: 10.1042/BJ20060276

Anomalous scattering analysis of Agrobacterium radiobacter phosphotriesterase: the prominent role of iron in the heterobinuclear active site

2006

Journal Article

Identification and molecular modeling of a novel, plant-like, human purple acid phosphatase

Flanagan, J. U., Cassady, A. I., Schenk, G., Guddat, L. W. and Hume, D. A. (2006). Identification and molecular modeling of a novel, plant-like, human purple acid phosphatase. Gene, 377 (1), 12-20. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2006.02.031

Identification and molecular modeling of a novel, plant-like, human purple acid phosphatase

2006

Conference Publication

Substrate analogue induced formation of a binuclear centre in the proof reading 3'-5' exonuclease (e) Subunit of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III

Mitic, N., Park, A. Y., Dixon, N., Hanson, G. R. and Schenk, G. (2006). Substrate analogue induced formation of a binuclear centre in the proof reading 3'-5' exonuclease (e) Subunit of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III. 6th Biennial ANZMAG Conference 2006, Murramarang Resort, Murramarang National Park, N.S.W., 12-16 February 2006. Randwick, NSW: ANZMAG.

Substrate analogue induced formation of a binuclear centre in the proof reading 3'-5' exonuclease (e) Subunit of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III

2006

Journal Article

The Catalytic Mechanisms of Binuclear Metallohydrolases

Mitic, Natasa, Smith, Sarah J., Neves, Ademir, Guddat, Luke W., Gahan, Lawrence R. and Schenk, Gerhard (2006). The Catalytic Mechanisms of Binuclear Metallohydrolases. Chemical Reviews, 106 (8), 3338-3363. doi: 10.1021/cr050318f

The Catalytic Mechanisms of Binuclear Metallohydrolases

2006

Conference Publication

Biomimetics and a derivative of pig purple acid phosphatase with FeIIINiII binuclear centres

Herrald, P. R., Drew, S. C., Neves, A., Murray, K. S., Moubaraki, B., Mitic, N., Riley, M. J., Hanson, G R, Gahan, L. R. and Schenk, G. (2006). Biomimetics and a derivative of pig purple acid phosphatase with FeIIINiII binuclear centres. 8th European Biological Inorganic Chemistry Conference (EUROBIC 8), Aveiro, Portugal, 2-6 July, 2006.

Biomimetics and a derivative of pig purple acid phosphatase with FeIIINiII binuclear centres

2006

Conference Publication

Inhibition studies of purple acid phosphatases: Implications for the catalytic mechanism

Elliott, Tristan W., Mitić, Nataša, Gahan, Lawrence R., Guddat, Luke W. and Schenk, Gerhard (2006). Inhibition studies of purple acid phosphatases: Implications for the catalytic mechanism. Sociedade Brasileira de Quimica. doi: 10.1590/S0103-50532006000800011

Inhibition studies of purple acid phosphatases: Implications for the catalytic mechanism

2006

Journal Article

Mammalian-like purple acid phosphatases in plants

De Jersey, J., Zheng, Yuan-Zhi, Fan, H. K., Schenk, G., Guddat, L. and Hamilton, S. (2006). Mammalian-like purple acid phosphatases in plants. Chemical Research In Chinese Universities, 22 (2), 263-264. doi: 10.1016/S1005-9040(06)60093-7

Mammalian-like purple acid phosphatases in plants

2006

Journal Article

Inhibition studies of purple acid phosphatases: Implications for the catalytic mechanism

Elliott, T. W., Mitic, N., Gahan, L. R., Guddat, L. W. and Schenk, G. (2006). Inhibition studies of purple acid phosphatases: Implications for the catalytic mechanism. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 17 (8), 1558-1565. doi: 10.1590/S0103-50532006000800011

Inhibition studies of purple acid phosphatases: Implications for the catalytic mechanism

2006

Conference Publication

GA(III) as an analogue of FE(III) in purple acid phosphatases and related model compounds

Smith, S J, Casselato, A., Mitic, N, Riley, M J, Neves, A., Schenk, G and Gahan, L R (2006). GA(III) as an analogue of FE(III) in purple acid phosphatases and related model compounds. 37th Int Conference on Coordination Chemistry, Cape Town, 13-18 Aug, 2006.

GA(III) as an analogue of FE(III) in purple acid phosphatases and related model compounds

2005

Conference Publication

Magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy of a bimetallic purple acid phosphatase mimic

Dick, A. K., Riley, M. J., Krausz, E. R. and Schenk, G. (2005). Magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy of a bimetallic purple acid phosphatase mimic. Connect 2005: 12th RACI Convention, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, 3-7 July 2005. Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

Magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy of a bimetallic purple acid phosphatase mimic

2005

Conference Publication

Model complexes of purple acid phosphatases

Smith, S. J., Gahan, L. R., Schenk, G. and Riley, M. J. (2005). Model complexes of purple acid phosphatases. Connect 2005: 12th RACI Convention, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, 3-7 July 2005. Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

Model complexes of purple acid phosphatases

2005

Journal Article

Human tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase becomes an effective ATPase upon proteolytic activation

Mitic, N., Valizadeh, M., Leung, E. W. W., de Jersey, J., Hamilton, S., Hume, D. A., Cassady, A. I. and Schenk, G. (2005). Human tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase becomes an effective ATPase upon proteolytic activation. Archives of Biochemistry And Biophysics, 439 (2), 154-164. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2005.05.013

Human tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase becomes an effective ATPase upon proteolytic activation

2005

Journal Article

Phosphate forms an unusual tripodal complex with the Fe-Mn center of sweet potato purple acid phosphatase

Schenk, G., Gahan, L. R., Carrington, L. E., Mitic, N., Valizadeh, M., Hamilton, S. E., de Jersey, J. and Guddat, L. W. (2005). Phosphate forms an unusual tripodal complex with the Fe-Mn center of sweet potato purple acid phosphatase. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 102 (2), 273-278. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0407239102

Phosphate forms an unusual tripodal complex with the Fe-Mn center of sweet potato purple acid phosphatase

2005

Conference Publication

Characterization of Novel Metal Centers in Purple Acid Phosphatases and Related Model Complexes

Mitic, Natasa, Herrald, Paul, Drew, Simon C., Gahan, Lawrence R., Riley, Mark J., Neves, Ademir, Schenk, Gerhard and Hanson, Graeme R. (2005). Characterization of Novel Metal Centers in Purple Acid Phosphatases and Related Model Complexes. 12th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry, University of Michigan, Department of Chemistry, Ann Arbor, MI, July 31- August 5, 2005.

Characterization of Novel Metal Centers in Purple Acid Phosphatases and Related Model Complexes

2005

Journal Article

A New Heterobinuclear FeIIICuII Complex with a Single Terminal FeIII–O(phenolate) Bond. Relevance to Purple Acid Phosphatases and Nucleases

Lanznaster, Mauricio, Neves, Ademir, Bortoluzzi, Adailton J., Aires, Veronika V. E., Szpoganicz, Bruno, Terenzi, Hernan, Severino, Patricia C., Fuller, Julie M., Drew, Simon C., Gahan, Lawrence R., Hanson, Graeme R., Riley, Mark J. and Schenk, Gerhard (2005). A New Heterobinuclear FeIIICuII Complex with a Single Terminal FeIII–O(phenolate) Bond. Relevance to Purple Acid Phosphatases and Nucleases. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 10 (4), 319-332. doi: 10.1007/s00775-005-0635-7

A New Heterobinuclear FeIIICuII Complex with a Single Terminal FeIII–O(phenolate) Bond. Relevance to Purple Acid Phosphatases and Nucleases

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Learning from the past to design drugs for the future
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Bio-based solutions for a sustainable agriculture
    Queensland-Germany Bioeconomy Collaborative Science Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Dual-function ribonucleases: unexpected agents of antibiotic resistance
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Cryo-EM inspired drug discovery to treat human fungal pathogenic infections
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Light-driven biocatalytic cell factories
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    EnzOnomy - an enzyme-based production pipeline for the bioeconomy
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Better Catalysts
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Biocatalytic nanomachines
    Technical University of Munich
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Imaging in the nano-scale age: terahertz and millimetre wave microanalysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Ketol-acid reductoisomerase: An important antituberculosis drug target
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry (CGMS) - Achieving excellence in isotope geochemistry and geochronology
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Next-generation multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) with laser-ablation capability for in situ high-throughput and high resolution isotope dating and characterizat
    UQ Major Research Facility Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    An integrated approach to combat antibiotic resistance
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Harnessing the potential of metals in biocatalysis (ARC Discovery Project administered by the Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Extending frontiers of structural chemistry and biology through high resolution pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (ARC LIEF Grant administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Metals in Biocatalysis: a Powerful Combination for the Chemistry of Life
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Evolved enzymes and biomimetics for organophosphate degredation (ARC Discovery Project administered by the Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Facilities for Integrated Bioinorganic and Materials Chemistry Research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    National Magnetochemical Facility (ARC LIEF administered by Monash University)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2010
    An integrated high -throughput fluorescence imaging facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Metallo-beta-lactamases: predicting and combating antibiotic resistance.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Metallo-beta-lactamases: designing drug leads to combat antibiotic resistance
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Organophosphate pesticide degradation: evolved enzymes and biomimetics for bioremediation and medicine (ARC Discovery Project award administered by ANU)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Structure-based design of anti-osteoporotic drug leads: an integrated approach
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    A National Biomedical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Centre (ARC LIEF Administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Isotope Effects as a Highly Sensitive Probe for the Study of Enzymatic Reaction Mechanisms
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2007
    XAS studies of the binuclear metalloenzyme purple acid phosphatase and their biomimetic models
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Australian Synchrotron Research Program: Visit to Photon Factor Japan 27-29 October 2006 (3 days)
    Australian Synchrotron Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2006
    AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON RESEARCH PROGRAM: Support for Access to the Australian National Beamline Facility, Photon Factory, Japan (12-14 May 2006)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Directed evolution of enzymes for bioremediation: structure function studies of bimetalloenzymes
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    XZS of FeIII-MeII binuclear complexes
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    An Integrated Approach Towards Development of Highly Specific Chemotherapeutics
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Unusual Coordination Chemistry Of Phosphate In A Novel Binuclear Metal Centre
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    A unique coordination of phosphate in binuclear metal ion complexes
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Gary Schenk is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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