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

264 works between 1996 and 2024
All (264) Journal Article (222) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (32) Book (1) Other Outputs (4)

181 - 200 of 264 works

2010

Conference Publication

Insights into metal ion mutagenesis and catalysis of dinuclear Mn metallohydrolyases utilizing EPR spectroscopy

Noble, Christopher, Mitic, Natasa, Park, Ah Young, Gahan, Lawrence R., Schenk, Gerhard, Dixon, Nicholas E. and Hanson, Graeme R. (2010). Insights into metal ion mutagenesis and catalysis of dinuclear Mn metallohydrolyases utilizing EPR spectroscopy. 7th Asia-Pacific EPR/ESR Symposium (APES2010), Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, 10-14 October 2010. Daegu, Republic of Korea: Asia-Pacific EPR/ESR Society.

Insights into metal ion mutagenesis and catalysis of dinuclear Mn metallohydrolyases utilizing EPR spectroscopy

2010

Conference Publication

Insights into metal ion mutagenesis and catalysis of dinuclear Mn metallohydrolyases utilizing EPR Spectroscopy

Noble, Christopher J., Gahan, Lawrence R., Schenk, Gerhard and Hanson, Graeme R. (2010). Insights into metal ion mutagenesis and catalysis of dinuclear Mn metallohydrolyases utilizing EPR Spectroscopy. World Wide Magnetic Resonance 2010: Joint Euromar 2010 and 17th ISMAR Conference (WWMR2010 ), Florence, Italy, 4-9 July 2010. Florence, Italy: Worldwide Magnetic Resonance Conference.

Insights into metal ion mutagenesis and catalysis of dinuclear Mn metallohydrolyases utilizing EPR Spectroscopy

2010

Journal Article

Catalytic promiscuity: Catecholase-like activity and hydrolytic DNA cleavage promoted by a mixed-valence Fe(III)Fe(II) complex

Neves, Ademir, Bortoluzzi, Adailton J., Jovito, Rafael, Peralta, Rosely A., de Souza, Bernardo, Szpoganicz, Bruno, Joussef, Antônio C., Terenzi, Hernán, Severino, Patricia C., Fischer, Franciele L., Schenk, Gerhard, Riley, Mark J., Smith, Sarah J. and Gahan, Lawrence R. (2010). Catalytic promiscuity: Catecholase-like activity and hydrolytic DNA cleavage promoted by a mixed-valence Fe(III)Fe(II) complex. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 21 (7), 1201-1212. doi: 10.1590/S0103-50532010000700007

Catalytic promiscuity: Catecholase-like activity and hydrolytic DNA cleavage promoted by a mixed-valence Fe(III)Fe(II) complex

2009

Journal Article

Conformational sampling, catalysis, and evolution of the bacterial phosphotriesterase

Jackson, C. J., Foo, J.-L., Tokuriki, N., Afriat, L., Carr, P. D., Kim, H.-K., Schenk, G., Tawfik, D. S. and Ollis, D. L. (2009). Conformational sampling, catalysis, and evolution of the bacterial phosphotriesterase. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106 (51), 21631-21636. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0907548106

Conformational sampling, catalysis, and evolution of the bacterial phosphotriesterase

2009

Journal Article

Flexible and promiscuous!

Schenk, G., Ollis, D. L., Hanson, G. R. and Gahan, L. R. (2009). Flexible and promiscuous!. Chemistry in Australia, 76 (10), 10-11.

Flexible and promiscuous!

2009

Journal Article

The bioremediator glycerophosphodiesterase employs a non-processive mechanism for hydrolysis

Hadler, Kieran S., Gahan, Lawrence R., Ollis, David L. and Schenk, Gerhard (2009). The bioremediator glycerophosphodiesterase employs a non-processive mechanism for hydrolysis. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 104 (2), 211-213. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2009.10.012

The bioremediator glycerophosphodiesterase employs a non-processive mechanism for hydrolysis

2009

Journal Article

Structural and catalytic characterization of a heterovalent Mn(II)Mn(III) complex that mimics purple acid phosphatases

Sarah Sarah J., Riley, Mark J., Noble, Christopher J., Hanson, Graeme R., Stranger, Robert, Jayaratne, Vidura, Cavigliasso, German, Schenk, Gerhard and Gahan, Lawrence R. (2009). Structural and catalytic characterization of a heterovalent Mn(II)Mn(III) complex that mimics purple acid phosphatases. Inorganic Chemistry, 48 (21), 10036-10048. doi: 10.1021/ic9005086

Structural and catalytic characterization of a heterovalent Mn(II)Mn(III) complex that mimics purple acid phosphatases

2009

Journal Article

Structural flexibility enhances the reactivity of the bioremediator glycerophosphodiesterase by fine-tuning its mechanism of hydrolysis

Hadler, Kieran S., Mitic, Natasa, Ely, Fernanda, Hanson, Graeme R., Gahan, Lawrence R., Larrabee, James A., Ollis, David L. and Schenk, Gerhard (2009). Structural flexibility enhances the reactivity of the bioremediator glycerophosphodiesterase by fine-tuning its mechanism of hydrolysis. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131 (33), 11900-11908. doi: 10.1021/ja903534f

Structural flexibility enhances the reactivity of the bioremediator glycerophosphodiesterase by fine-tuning its mechanism of hydrolysis

2009

Journal Article

Unsymmetrical FeIIICoIII and GaIIICoII complexes as chemical hydrolases: Biomimetic models for purple acid phosphatases (PAPs)

Xavier, Fernando R., Neves, Ademir, Casellato, Annelise, Peralta, Rosely A., Bortoluzzi, Adailton J., Szpoganicz, Bruno, Severino, Patricia C., Terenzi, Hernan, Tomkowicz, Zbigniew, Ostrovsky, Sergei, Haase, Wolfgang, Ozarowski, Andrew, Krzystek, Jerzy, Telser, Joshua, Schenk, Gerhard and Gahan, Lawrence R. (2009). Unsymmetrical FeIIICoIII and GaIIICoII complexes as chemical hydrolases: Biomimetic models for purple acid phosphatases (PAPs). Inorganic Chemistry, 48 (16), 7905-7921. doi: 10.1021/ic900831q

Unsymmetrical FeIIICoIII and GaIIICoII complexes as chemical hydrolases: Biomimetic models for purple acid phosphatases (PAPs)

2009

Journal Article

Metal-ion mutagenesis: Conversion of a purple acid phosphatase from sweet potato to a neutral phosphatase with the formation of an unprecedented catalytically competent MnIIMnII active site

Mitić, Nataša, Noble, Christopher J., Gahan, Lawrence R., Hanson, Graeme R. and Schenk, Gerhard (2009). Metal-ion mutagenesis: Conversion of a purple acid phosphatase from sweet potato to a neutral phosphatase with the formation of an unprecedented catalytically competent MnIIMnII active site. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131 (23), 8173-8179. doi: 10.1021/ja900797u

Metal-ion mutagenesis: Conversion of a purple acid phosphatase from sweet potato to a neutral phosphatase with the formation of an unprecedented catalytically competent MnIIMnII active site

2009

Journal Article

Phosphate ester hydrolysis: Metal complexes as purple acid phosphatase and phosphotriesterase analogues

Gahan, Lawrence R., Smith, Sarah J., Neves, Ademir and Schenk, Gerhard (2009). Phosphate ester hydrolysis: Metal complexes as purple acid phosphatase and phosphotriesterase analogues. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2009 (19), 2745-2758. doi: 10.1002/ejic.200900231

Phosphate ester hydrolysis: Metal complexes as purple acid phosphatase and phosphotriesterase analogues

2009

Journal Article

Catalase vs peroxidase activity of a manganese(II) compound: Identification of a Mn(III)-(mu-O)(2)-Mn(IV) reaction intermediate by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Lessa, Josane A., Horn, Adolfo Jr., Bull, Érika S., Rocha, Michelle R., Benassi, Mario, Catharino, Rodrigo R., Eberlin, Marcos N., Casellato, Annelise, Noble, Christopher J., Hanson, Graeme R., Schenk, Gerhard, Silva, Giselle C., Antunes, O. A. C. and Fernandes, Christiane (2009). Catalase vs peroxidase activity of a manganese(II) compound: Identification of a Mn(III)-(mu-O)(2)-Mn(IV) reaction intermediate by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Inorganic Chemistry, 48 (10), 4569-4579. doi: 10.1021/ic801969c

Catalase vs peroxidase activity of a manganese(II) compound: Identification of a Mn(III)-(mu-O)(2)-Mn(IV) reaction intermediate by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

2009

Journal Article

GpdQ: a clever enzymatic bioremediator

Schenk, Gerhard (2009). GpdQ: a clever enzymatic bioremediator. Chemistry in Australia, 76 (1), 32-33.

GpdQ: a clever enzymatic bioremediator

2009

Journal Article

Metal ion mutagenesis - how the replacement of metal ions can alter the properties of a metalloenzyme

Hanson, G. R., Gahan, L. R. and Schenk, G. (2009). Metal ion mutagenesis - how the replacement of metal ions can alter the properties of a metalloenzyme. Chemistry in Australia, 76 (8), 8-8.

Metal ion mutagenesis - how the replacement of metal ions can alter the properties of a metalloenzyme

2009

Book Chapter

Binuclear non-heme iron enzymes

Mitić, Nataša, Schenk, Gerhard and Hanson, Graeme R. (2009). Binuclear non-heme iron enzymes. High resolution EPR: applications to metalloenzymes and metals in medicine. (pp. 269-395) edited by Graeme Hanson and Lawrence Berliner. New York, NY, United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-84856-3_7

Binuclear non-heme iron enzymes

2009

Journal Article

Inhibition of purple acid phosphatase with alpha-alkoxynaphthylmethylphosphonic acids

McGeary, Ross P., Vella, Peter, Mak, Jeffery Y. W., Guddat, Luke W. and Schenk, Gerhard (2009). Inhibition of purple acid phosphatase with alpha-alkoxynaphthylmethylphosphonic acids. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 19 (1), 163-166. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.10.125

Inhibition of purple acid phosphatase with alpha-alkoxynaphthylmethylphosphonic acids

2008

Journal Article

Substrate-promoted formation of a catalytically competent binuclear center and regulation of reactivity in a glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes

Hadler, K., Tanifum, E.A., Yip, S.H.-C., Mitic, N., Guddat, L.W., Jackson, C.J., Gahan, L.R., Nguyen, K., Carr, P.D., Ollis, D.L., Hengge, A.C., Larrabee, J.A. and Schenk, G. (2008). Substrate-promoted formation of a catalytically competent binuclear center and regulation of reactivity in a glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130 (43), 14129-14138. doi: 10.1021/ja803346w

Substrate-promoted formation of a catalytically competent binuclear center and regulation of reactivity in a glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes

2008

Journal Article

Identification of a non-purple tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase: An evolutionary link to Ser/Thr protein phosphatases?

Hadler, K.ieran S., Huber, Thomas, Cassady, A. Ian, Weber, Jane, Robinson, Jodie, Burrows, Allan, Kelly, Gregory, Guddat, Luke W., Hume, David A., Schenk, Gerhard and Flanagan, Jack U. (2008). Identification of a non-purple tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase: An evolutionary link to Ser/Thr protein phosphatases?. BMC Research Notes, 1 (1) 78, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-1-78

Identification of a non-purple tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase: An evolutionary link to Ser/Thr protein phosphatases?

2008

Journal Article

Malonate-bound structure of the glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes (GpdQ) and characterization of the native Fe2+ metal-ion preference

Jackson, Colin J., Hadler, Kieran S., Carr, Paul D., Oakley, Aaron J., Yip, Sylvia, Schenk, Gerhard and Ollis, David L. (2008). Malonate-bound structure of the glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes (GpdQ) and characterization of the native Fe2+ metal-ion preference. Acta Crystallographica. Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications, 64 (8), 681-685. doi: 10.1107/S1744309108017600

Malonate-bound structure of the glycerophosphodiesterase from Enterobacter aerogenes (GpdQ) and characterization of the native Fe2+ metal-ion preference

2008

Journal Article

Cadmium(II) complexes of the glycerophosphodiester-degrading enzyme GpdQ and a biomimetic N,O ligand

Mirams, Ruth E., Smith, Sarah J., Hadler, Kieran S., Ollis, David L., Schenk, Gerhard and Gahan, Lawrence R. (2008). Cadmium(II) complexes of the glycerophosphodiester-degrading enzyme GpdQ and a biomimetic N,O ligand. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 13 (7), 1065-1072. doi: 10.1007/s00775-008-0392-5

Cadmium(II) complexes of the glycerophosphodiester-degrading enzyme GpdQ and a biomimetic N,O ligand

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Bio-based solutions for a sustainable agriculture
    Queensland-Germany Bioeconomy Collaborative Science Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Light-driven biocatalytic cell factories
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Dual-function ribonucleases: unexpected agents of antibiotic resistance
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    EnzOnomy - an enzyme-based production pipeline for the bioeconomy
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Cryo-EM inspired drug discovery to treat human fungal pathogenic infections
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 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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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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