Professor Bryan Fry
Professor

Bryan Fry

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 58515
Mobile: 
0400 193 182

Background

Venoms play a range of adaptive roles in the animal kingdom from predation to defense to competitor deterrence. Remarkably, despite their biological importance and uniqueness, the evolution of venom systems is poorly understood. New insights into the evolution of venom systems and the importance of the associated toxins cannot be advanced without recognition of the true biochemical, ecological, morphological and pharmacological diversity of venoms and associated venom systems. A major limitation has been the very narrow taxonomical range studied. Entire groups of venomous animals remain virtually unstudied. My research is inherently interdisciplinary, integrating ecological, evolutionary, and functional genomics approaches in order to understand the evolution of venom systems. Studies range from discovering the shock-inducing hypotensive and anticoagulant venom of the iconic Komodo Dragon through to exploring the unique temperature specific adaptations of Antarctic octopus venoms.

Availability

Professor Bryan Fry is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Zoology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Bryan Fry’s works on UQ eSpace

231 works between 1998 and 2025
All (231) Journal Article (212) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (13) Book Chapter (5)

81 - 100 of 231 works

2021

Journal Article

Pan-American lancehead pit-vipers: coagulotoxic venom effects and antivenom neutralisation of Bothrops asper and B. atrox geographical variants

Bourke, Lachlan A., Zdenek, Christina N., Neri-Castro, Edgar, Bénard-Valle, Melisa, Alagón, Alejandro, Gutiérrez, José María, Sanchez, Eladio F., Aldridge, Matt and Fry, Bryan G. (2021). Pan-American lancehead pit-vipers: coagulotoxic venom effects and antivenom neutralisation of Bothrops asper and B. atrox geographical variants. Toxins, 13 (2) 78, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/toxins13020078

Pan-American lancehead pit-vipers: coagulotoxic venom effects and antivenom neutralisation of Bothrops asper and B. atrox geographical variants

2021

Journal Article

Electrostatic resistance to alpha-neurotoxins conferred by charge reversal mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Harris, Richard J. and Fry, Bryan G. (2021). Electrostatic resistance to alpha-neurotoxins conferred by charge reversal mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 288 (1942) 2703, 20202703. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2703

Electrostatic resistance to alpha-neurotoxins conferred by charge reversal mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

2021

Journal Article

Widespread and differential neurotoxicity in venoms from the Bitis genus of viperid snakes

Youngman, Nicholas J., Harris, Richard J., Huynh, Tam M., Coster, Kristian, Sundman, Eric, Braun, Ralph, Naude, Arno, Hodgson, Wayne C. and Fry, Bryan G. (2021). Widespread and differential neurotoxicity in venoms from the Bitis genus of viperid snakes. Neurotoxicity Research, 39 (3), 697-704. doi: 10.1007/s12640-021-00330-4

Widespread and differential neurotoxicity in venoms from the Bitis genus of viperid snakes

2021

Journal Article

BoaγPLI from boa constrictor blood is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of venom PLA2 pathophysiological actions

Rodrigues, Caroline Fabri Bittencourt, Zdenek, Christina N., Serino-Silva, Caroline, de Morais-Zani, Karen, Grego, Kathleen Fernandes, Bénard-Valle, Melisa, Neri-Castro, Edgar, Alagón, Alejandro, Tanaka-Azevedo, Anita Mitico and Fry, Bryan Grieg (2021). BoaγPLI from boa constrictor blood is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of venom PLA2 pathophysiological actions. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 47 (10-11), 907-914. doi: 10.1007/s10886-021-01289-4

BoaγPLI from boa constrictor blood is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of venom PLA2 pathophysiological actions

2020

Journal Article

Slow lorises use venom as a weapon in intraspecific competition

Nekaris, K. A.I., Campera, Marco, Nijman, Vincent, Birot, Hélène, Rode-Margono, Eva Johanna, Fry, Bryan Grieg, Weldon, Ariana, Wirdateti, Wirdateti and Imron, Muhammad Ali (2020). Slow lorises use venom as a weapon in intraspecific competition. Current Biology, 30 (20), R1252-R1253. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.08.084

Slow lorises use venom as a weapon in intraspecific competition

2020

Journal Article

Differential coagulotoxicity of metalloprotease isoforms from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom and consequent variations in antivenom efficacy

Sousa, Leijiane F., Bernardoni, Juliana L., Zdenek, Christina N., Dobson, James, Coimbra, Francisco, Gillett, Amber, Lopes-Ferreira, Mônica, Moura-da-Silva, A.M. and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Differential coagulotoxicity of metalloprotease isoforms from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom and consequent variations in antivenom efficacy. Toxicology Letters, 333, 211-221. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.08.009

Differential coagulotoxicity of metalloprotease isoforms from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom and consequent variations in antivenom efficacy

2020

Journal Article

Assessing the binding of venoms from aquatic elapids to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric site of different prey models

Harris, Richard J., Youngman, Nicholas J., Zdenek, Christina N., Huynh, Tam M., Nouwens, Amanda, Hodgson, Wayne C., Harrich, David, Dunstan, Nathan, Portes-Junior, José A. and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Assessing the binding of venoms from aquatic elapids to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric site of different prey models. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21 (19) 7377, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/ijms21197377

Assessing the binding of venoms from aquatic elapids to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric site of different prey models

2020

Journal Article

Widespread evolution of molecular resistance to snake venom α-neurotoxins in vertebrates

Khan, Muzaffar A., Dashevsky, Daniel, Kerkkamp, Harald, Kordiš, Dušan, de Bakker, Merijn A. G., Wouters, Roel, van Thiel, Jory, op den Brouw, Bianca, Vonk, Freek, Kini, R. Manjunatha, Nazir, Jawad, Fry, Bryan G. and Richardson, Michael K. (2020). Widespread evolution of molecular resistance to snake venom α-neurotoxins in vertebrates. Toxins, 12 (10) 638, 638. doi: 10.3390/toxins12100638

Widespread evolution of molecular resistance to snake venom α-neurotoxins in vertebrates

2020

Journal Article

Varespladib (LY315920) neutralises phospholipase A2 mediated prothrombinase-inhibition induced by Bitis snake venoms

Youngman, Nicholas J., Walker, Andrew, Naude, Arno, Coster, Kristian, Sundman, Eric and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Varespladib (LY315920) neutralises phospholipase A2 mediated prothrombinase-inhibition induced by Bitis snake venoms. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part - C: Toxicology and Pharmacology, 236 108818, 108818. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108818

Varespladib (LY315920) neutralises phospholipase A2 mediated prothrombinase-inhibition induced by Bitis snake venoms

2020

Journal Article

Pets in peril: the relative susceptibility of cats and dogs to procoagulant snake venoms

Zdenek, Christina N., Llinas, Joshua, Dobson, James, Allen, Luke, Dunstan, Nathan, Sousa, Leijiane F., Moura da Silva, Ana M. and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Pets in peril: the relative susceptibility of cats and dogs to procoagulant snake venoms. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part C: Toxicology and Pharmacology, 236 108769, 108769. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108769

Pets in peril: the relative susceptibility of cats and dogs to procoagulant snake venoms

2020

Journal Article

Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators

Herzig, Volker, Sunagar, Kartik, Wilson, David T. R., Pineda, Sandy S., Israel, Mathilde R., Dutertre, Sebastien, McFarland, Brianna Sollod, Undheim, Eivind A. B., Hodgson, Wayne C., Alewood, Paul F., Lewis, Richard J., Bosmans, Frank, Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn F. and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117 (40), 24920-24928. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2004516117

Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators

2020

Journal Article

A symmetry or asymmetry: functional and compositional comparison of venom from the left and right glands of the Indochinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis)

Harris, Richard J., Zdenek, Christina N., Nouwens, Amanda, Sweeney, Charlotte, Dunstan, Nathan and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). A symmetry or asymmetry: functional and compositional comparison of venom from the left and right glands of the Indochinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis). Toxicon: X, 7 100050, 100050. doi: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100050

A symmetry or asymmetry: functional and compositional comparison of venom from the left and right glands of the Indochinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis)

2020

Journal Article

Trimeresurus albolabris snakebite treatment implications arising from ontogenetic venom comparisons of anticoagulant function, and antivenom efficacy

Bourke, Lachlan A., Youngman, Nicholas J., Zdenek, Christina N., op den Brouw, Bianca, Violette, Aude, Fourmy, Rudy and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Trimeresurus albolabris snakebite treatment implications arising from ontogenetic venom comparisons of anticoagulant function, and antivenom efficacy. Toxicology Letters, 327, 2-8. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.03.009

Trimeresurus albolabris snakebite treatment implications arising from ontogenetic venom comparisons of anticoagulant function, and antivenom efficacy

2020

Journal Article

Evolutionary interpretations of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeting venom effects by a clade of Asian viperidae snakes

Harris, Richard J., Zdenek, Christina N., Debono, Jordan, Harrich, David and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Evolutionary interpretations of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeting venom effects by a clade of Asian viperidae snakes. Neurotoxicity Research, 38 (2), 312-318. doi: 10.1007/s12640-020-00211-2

Evolutionary interpretations of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeting venom effects by a clade of Asian viperidae snakes

2020

Journal Article

Anticoagulant toxicity of black snake (Elapidae: Pseudechis) venoms: Potency, mechanisms, and antivenom efficacy

Zdenek, Christina N., Youngman, Nicholas J., Hay, Chris, Dobson, James, Dunstan, Nathan, Allen, Luke, Milanovic, Leontina and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). Anticoagulant toxicity of black snake (Elapidae: Pseudechis) venoms: Potency, mechanisms, and antivenom efficacy. Toxicology Letters, 330, 176-184. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.05.014

Anticoagulant toxicity of black snake (Elapidae: Pseudechis) venoms: Potency, mechanisms, and antivenom efficacy

2020

Conference Publication

Molecular adaptation and resistance, to the Α-neurotoxin of elapid snakes, in Squamata, aves and fishes

Khan, Muzaffar Ali, Kerkkamp, Harald M. I., de Bakker, Merijn, Fry, Bryan G. and Richardson, Michael K. (2020). Molecular adaptation and resistance, to the Α-neurotoxin of elapid snakes, in Squamata, aves and fishes. 20th World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 8-13 September 2019. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.12.060

Molecular adaptation and resistance, to the Α-neurotoxin of elapid snakes, in Squamata, aves and fishes

2020

Conference Publication

Molecular adaptation and resistance, to the Α-neurotoxin of elapid snakes, in Squamata, aves and fishes

Khan, Muzaffar Ali, Kerkkamp, Harald M. I., de Bakker, Merijn, Fry, Bryan G. and Richardson, Michael K. (2020). Molecular adaptation and resistance, to the Α-neurotoxin of elapid snakes, in Squamata, aves and fishes. 20th World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 8-13 September 2019. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.12.060

Molecular adaptation and resistance, to the Α-neurotoxin of elapid snakes, in Squamata, aves and fishes

2020

Journal Article

An appetite for destruction: detecting prey-selective binding of α-neurotoxins in the venom of Afro-Asian elapids

Harris, Richard J., Zdenek, Christina N., Harrich, David, Frank, Nathaniel and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). An appetite for destruction: detecting prey-selective binding of α-neurotoxins in the venom of Afro-Asian elapids. Toxins, 12 (3) 205, 205. doi: 10.3390/toxins12030205

An appetite for destruction: detecting prey-selective binding of α-neurotoxins in the venom of Afro-Asian elapids

2020

Journal Article

A web of coagulotoxicity: failure of antivenom to neutralize the destructive (non-clotting) fibrinogenolytic activity of Loxosceles and Sicarius spider venoms

Grashof, Dwin, Zdenek, Christina N., Dobson, James S., Youngman, Nicholas J., Coimbra, Francisco, Benard-Valle, Melisa, Alagon, Alejandro and Fry, Bryan G. (2020). A web of coagulotoxicity: failure of antivenom to neutralize the destructive (non-clotting) fibrinogenolytic activity of Loxosceles and Sicarius spider venoms. Toxins, 12 (2) toxins12020091, 91. doi: 10.3390/toxins12020091

A web of coagulotoxicity: failure of antivenom to neutralize the destructive (non-clotting) fibrinogenolytic activity of Loxosceles and Sicarius spider venoms

2020

Journal Article

The toxicological intersection between allergen and toxin: a structural comparison of the cat dander allergenic protein Fel d1 and the slow loris brachial gland secretion protein

Scheib, Holger, Nekaris, K. Anne-Isola, Rode-Margono, Johanna, Ragnarsson, Lotten, Baumann, Kate, Dobson, James S., Wirdateti, Wirdateti, Nouwens, Amanda, Nijman, Vincent, Martelli, Paolo, Ma, Rui, Lewis, Richard J., Kwok, Hang Fai and Fry, Bryan Grieg (2020). The toxicological intersection between allergen and toxin: a structural comparison of the cat dander allergenic protein Fel d1 and the slow loris brachial gland secretion protein. Toxins, 12 (2) toxins12020086, 86. doi: 10.3390/toxins12020086

The toxicological intersection between allergen and toxin: a structural comparison of the cat dander allergenic protein Fel d1 and the slow loris brachial gland secretion protein

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Adaptive Biotoxicology Lab (Venom Evolution Lab)
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Evolutionary models and biodiscovery tools from neurotoxic snake venoms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Replacing the use of animals for the study of the alpha-5 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and to probe the drug potential of novel ligands for colitis and anti-smoking
    The MAWA Trust
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    An integrated, multi-node bio-layer interferometry facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Functional evolution and therapeutic potential of snake venom coagulotoxins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Imaging Mass Spectrometry at Higher Mass Resolution
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Coagulotoxic effects of Brazilian snake venoms: Role in adaptive evolution and human pathophysiological implications
    UQ-FAPESP Strategic Research Fund SPRINT
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Multichannel peptide synthesiser to accelerate UQ's biodiscovery pipeline and peptide drug development programs
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Deep Protein Sequencing, Structure and Quantification Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Integrative blood coagulation research core facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Patch-clamp electrophysiology platform for drug and insecticide discovery
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Evolution of Sea Snakes in Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria
    National Geographic Society
    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
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Imaging the world of miniature venomous arthropods
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Fish venom as a model system for the molecular evolution of defensive toxins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Investigation of the venom of two endangered snakes
    Australian Geographic Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2013
    High throughput electrophysiology platform
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    ResTeach 2013 0.05 FTE School of Biological Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2013
    UQ Travel Awards Category 1 - Dr Nicholas Casewell
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    The only poisonous primates: the ecological and behaviour context of slow loris venom.
    Oxford Brookes University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Molecular toxinology of Australia's lesser known venomous snakes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Adaptive evolution of coleoid (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) venoms
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Evolutionary venomics: Venom system diversification in the animal kingdom
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Bryan Fry is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evolutionary and clinical implications of differential pathophysiological effects of rattlesnake venoms upon blood coagulation, cell function, and nerve transmission.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Clinical and ecological implications of venom variation in Central American pitvipers

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluation of Phylogenetic Patterns of Scorpion Pathophysiological Effects and Effectiveness of Next-Generation Antivenoms

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Glenn King, Dr Sam Robinson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Anacondas as sentinel species for accumulation of oil spill heavy metals into the food web

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jianxin Zhao

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Bryan Fry directly for media enquiries about:

  • Animal venoms
  • Antivenoms
  • Biodiscovery
  • Drug design
  • Venom

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