Professor Benjamin Schulz
Professor

Benjamin Schulz

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54875
Mobile: 
0434298062

Background

I graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and Science in 2000 from The University of Queensland, after which I joined Proteome Systems, an Australian biotechnology company. In 2004 I moved to the ETH Zurich in Switzerland for my doctoral studies. I joined the School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences as a University of Queensland Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2008 and NHMRC Career Development Fellow in 2012. I am now Associate Professor in Biochemistry.

Availability

Professor Benjamin Schulz is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Clinical sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering - Chemical, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zürich

Research interests

  • Viral Glycobiology

    Glycosylation shields viruses from the immune response and is critical for many of the functions of viral proteins. This is especially important for the respiratory pathogens Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2. We aim to understand the mechanisms controlling these processes using cell based infection systems, protein structural and biochemical analyses, mass spectrometry glycoproteomics, and bioinformatics to determine their impact on viral biology and vaccine design.

  • Mass Spectrometry Glycoproteomics

    Most proteins are modified with complex sugar groups that affect their function. We develop new mass spectrometry approaches to systematically and globally identify and quantify proteins and their sugar modifications in fundamental biology and disease.

  • Beer

    Beer brewing is perhaps the most ancient biotechnology. We use modern analytical techniques to investigate and improve this complex and important process.

Research impacts

My research focuses on the mechanisms, biological roles and applications in biotechnology of glycosylation, the most abundant and complex post-translational modification of proteins. Glycosylation is important in biological processes such as human development, cancer and microbial infection. This is because glycosylation is essential in biological activities as diverse as protein folding, fine-tuning protein enzymatic activity and determining protein-protein interactions. Half of all proteins are glycosylated, and a single protein can be modified by hundreds of different sugar moieties. The diversity of glycoproteins therefore requires that we take a systems biology approach in our research. All of our projects use a core set of methods in molecular biology, genetic manipulation, protein biochemistry, glycoprotein analysis and mass spectrometry. I aim to understand the mechanisms controlling glycosylation in these various systems to develop diagnostics, therapies, vaccines and applications in biotechnology.

Search Professor Benjamin Schulz’s works on UQ eSpace

161 works between 2002 and 2025
All (161) Journal Article (146) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (5)

121 - 140 of 161 works

2014

Journal Article

Selection against glycosylation sites in potential target proteins of the general HMWC N-glycosyltransferase in Haemophilus influenzae

Gawthorne, Jayde A., Tan, Nikki Y., Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Davis, Margaret R., Wong, Linette W., Naidu, Ranjitha, Fox, Kate L., Jennings, Michael P. and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2014). Selection against glycosylation sites in potential target proteins of the general HMWC N-glycosyltransferase in Haemophilus influenzae. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 445 (3), 633-638. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.02.044

Selection against glycosylation sites in potential target proteins of the general HMWC N-glycosyltransferase in Haemophilus influenzae

2014

Journal Article

Sequence-based protein stabilization in the absence of glycosylation

Tan, Nikki Y., Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Jamaluddin, M Fairuz, Mahmud, S Halimah Binte, Raman, Suresh C. and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2014). Sequence-based protein stabilization in the absence of glycosylation. Nature Communications, 5 (3099) 3099, 1-7. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4099

Sequence-based protein stabilization in the absence of glycosylation

2014

Conference Publication

Ager1 overexpression in glomerular podocytes results in renal disease which is exacerbated by diabetes

Zhuang, A., Sourris, K. C, Harcourt, B. E, Penfold, S. A., Fotheringham, A. K., McCarthy, D., Schulz, B. and Forbes, J. M. (2014). Ager1 overexpression in glomerular podocytes results in renal disease which is exacerbated by diabetes. 50th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Melbourne VIC, Australia, 25 - 27 August 2014. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12301

Ager1 overexpression in glomerular podocytes results in renal disease which is exacerbated by diabetes

2014

Journal Article

A rapid and cost-effective method of producing recombinant proBNP and NT-proBNP variants in Escherichia coli for immunoassay of heart failure

Soleh, Muhammad Tarmizi, Foo, Jared Yong Yang, Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Tan, Nikki Yi, Wan, Yunxia, Cooper-White, Justin, Schulz, Benjamin Luke and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2014). A rapid and cost-effective method of producing recombinant proBNP and NT-proBNP variants in Escherichia coli for immunoassay of heart failure. Biotechnology Letters, 36 (1), 133-140. doi: 10.1007/s10529-013-1341-0

A rapid and cost-effective method of producing recombinant proBNP and NT-proBNP variants in Escherichia coli for immunoassay of heart failure

2014

Conference Publication

Give up sugar with this one weird trick!

Tan, Nikki, Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Jamaluddin, Fairuz, Mahmud, Siti, Raman, Suresh and Schulz, Benjamin (2014). Give up sugar with this one weird trick!. Joint Meeting of the Society for Glycobiology (SFG) and the Japanese Society of Carbohydrate Research (JSCR), Honolulu, HI United States, 16-19 November 2014. Cary, NC United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwu107

Give up sugar with this one weird trick!

2013

Journal Article

The globally disseminated M1T1 clone of Group A Streptococcus evades autophagy for intracellular replication

Barnett, Timothy C., Liebl, David, Seymour, Lisa M., Gillen, Christine M., Lim, Jin Yan, LaRock, Christopher N., Davies, Mark R., Schulz, Benjamin L., Nizet, Victor, Teasdale, Rohan D. and Walker, Mark J. (2013). The globally disseminated M1T1 clone of Group A Streptococcus evades autophagy for intracellular replication. Cell Host and Microbe, 14 (6), 675-682. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.11.003

The globally disseminated M1T1 clone of Group A Streptococcus evades autophagy for intracellular replication

2013

Journal Article

Circulating Fragments of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Plasma of Heart Failure Patients

Foo, Jared Yong Yang, Wan, Yunxia, Schulz, Benjamin L., Kostner, Karam, Atherton, John, Cooper-White, Justin, Dimeski, Goce and Punyadeera, Chamindie (2013). Circulating Fragments of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Plasma of Heart Failure Patients. Clinical Chemistry, 59 (10), 1523-1531. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2012.200204

Circulating Fragments of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Plasma of Heart Failure Patients

2013

Journal Article

Saliva proteome research: current status and future outlook

Schulz, Benjamin L., Cooper-White, Justin and Punyadeera, Chamindie K. (2013). Saliva proteome research: current status and future outlook. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 33 (3), 246-259. doi: 10.3109/07388551.2012.687361

Saliva proteome research: current status and future outlook

2013

Journal Article

Identification of bacterial protein O-Oligosaccharyltransferases and their glycoprotein substrates

Schulz, Benjamin L., Jen, Freda E. C., Power, Peter M., Jones, Christopher E., Fox, Kate L., Ku, Shan C., Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Jennings, Michael P. (2013). Identification of bacterial protein O-Oligosaccharyltransferases and their glycoprotein substrates. PLoS One, 8 (5) e62768, e62768.1-e62768.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062768

Identification of bacterial protein O-Oligosaccharyltransferases and their glycoprotein substrates

2013

Journal Article

Dual Pili Post-translational modifications synergize to mediate meningococcal adherence to platelet activating factor receptor on human airway cells

Jen, Freda E. -C., Warren, Matthew J., Schulz, Benjamin L., Power, Peter M., Swords, W. Edward, Weiser, Jeffery N., Apicella, Michael A., Edwards, Jennifer L. and Jennings, Michael P. (2013). Dual Pili Post-translational modifications synergize to mediate meningococcal adherence to platelet activating factor receptor on human airway cells. PLoS Pathogens, 9 (5) e1003377, e1003377.1-e1003377.16. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003377

Dual Pili Post-translational modifications synergize to mediate meningococcal adherence to platelet activating factor receptor on human airway cells

2013

Journal Article

Mixed disulfide formation in vitro between a glycoprotein substrate and yeast oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p

Yusuf, Siti N. H. Mohd, Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Tan, Nikki Y., Jamaluddin, Muhammad Fairuz and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2013). Mixed disulfide formation in vitro between a glycoprotein substrate and yeast oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 432 (3), 438-443. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.01.128

Mixed disulfide formation in vitro between a glycoprotein substrate and yeast oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p

2013

Journal Article

Deglycosylation systematically improves N-glycoprotein identification in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry proteomics for analysis of cell wall stress responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking Alg3p

Bailey, Ulla-Maja and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2013). Deglycosylation systematically improves N-glycoprotein identification in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry proteomics for analysis of cell wall stress responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking Alg3p. Journal of Chromatography B: Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 923-924, 16-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2013.01.026

Deglycosylation systematically improves N-glycoprotein identification in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry proteomics for analysis of cell wall stress responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking Alg3p

2013

Journal Article

Recombinant truncated AniA of pathogenic Neisseria elicits a non-native immune response and functional blocking antibodies

Shewell, Lucy K., Ku, Shan C., Schulz, Benjamin L., Jen, Freda E. -C., Mubaiwa, Tsitsi D., Ketterer, Margaret R., Apicella, Michael A. and Jennings, Michael P. (2013). Recombinant truncated AniA of pathogenic Neisseria elicits a non-native immune response and functional blocking antibodies. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 431 (2), 215-220. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.12.132

Recombinant truncated AniA of pathogenic Neisseria elicits a non-native immune response and functional blocking antibodies

2013

Journal Article

Substrate recognition of a structure motif for phosphorylcholine post-translational modification in Neisseria meningitidis

Jen, Freda E. -C., Jones, Christopher E., Wilson, Jennifer C., Schulz, Benjamin L. and Jennings, Michael P. (2013). Substrate recognition of a structure motif for phosphorylcholine post-translational modification in Neisseria meningitidis. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 431 (4), 808-814. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.12.088

Substrate recognition of a structure motif for phosphorylcholine post-translational modification in Neisseria meningitidis

2012

Journal Article

Analysis of the extreme diversity of salivary alpha-amylase isoforms generated by physiological proteolysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Punyadeera, Chamindie, Cooper-White, Justin J. and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2012). Analysis of the extreme diversity of salivary alpha-amylase isoforms generated by physiological proteolysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography B-Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 911, 21-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2012.10.023

Analysis of the extreme diversity of salivary alpha-amylase isoforms generated by physiological proteolysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

2012

Journal Article

Analysis of congenital disorder of glycosylation-Id in a yeast model system shows diverse site-specific under-glycosylation of glycoproteins

Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Jamaluddin, Muhammad Fairuz and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2012). Analysis of congenital disorder of glycosylation-Id in a yeast model system shows diverse site-specific under-glycosylation of glycoproteins. Journal of Proteome Research, 11 (11), 5376-5383. doi: 10.1021/pr300599f

Analysis of congenital disorder of glycosylation-Id in a yeast model system shows diverse site-specific under-glycosylation of glycoproteins

2012

Book Chapter

Beyond the sequon: sites of N-Glycosylation

Schulz, Benjamin Luke (2012). Beyond the sequon: sites of N-Glycosylation. Glycosylation. (pp. 21-40) edited by Stefana Petrescu. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. doi: 10.5772/50260

Beyond the sequon: sites of N-Glycosylation

2011

Journal Article

Analysis of mucosal mucins separated by SDS-urea agarose polyacrylamide composite gel electrophoresis

Issa, Samah M. A., Schulz, Benjamin L., Packer, Nicolle H. and Karlsson, Niclas G. (2011). Analysis of mucosal mucins separated by SDS-urea agarose polyacrylamide composite gel electrophoresis. Electrophoresis, 32 (24), 3554-3563. doi: 10.1002/elps.201100374

Analysis of mucosal mucins separated by SDS-urea agarose polyacrylamide composite gel electrophoresis

2011

Journal Article

Polypeptide binding specificities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyltransferase accessory proteins Ost3p and Ost6p

Jamaluddin, M. Fairuz B., Bailey, Ulla-Maja, Tan, Nikki Y. J., Stark, Anthony P. and Schulz, Benjamin L. (2011). Polypeptide binding specificities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyltransferase accessory proteins Ost3p and Ost6p. Protein Science, 20 (5), 849-855. doi: 10.1002/pro.610

Polypeptide binding specificities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyltransferase accessory proteins Ost3p and Ost6p

2010

Journal Article

Signal sequence non-optimal codons are required for the correct folding of mature maltose binding protein

Zalucki, Yaramah M., Jones, Christopher E., Ng, Preston S. K., Schulz, Benjamin L. and Jennings, Michael P. (2010). Signal sequence non-optimal codons are required for the correct folding of mature maltose binding protein. BBA: Biomembranes, 1798 (6), 1244-1249. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.03.010

Signal sequence non-optimal codons are required for the correct folding of mature maltose binding protein

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2027
    Applications-oriented elucidation of germination triggers for Emu Bush seed
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Gut leak and microbiome contribution to severe dengue disease
    NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    A cyclic ion-mobility mass spectrometer for resolving molecular isomers (ARC LIEF application led by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    An integrated analytical network for protein characterisation
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    The dynamic subcellular glycoproteome during influenza virus infection
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Utilizing an 'omics' approach to identify novel biomarkers in classic galactosaemia (BDHP grant administered by CHQHHS)
    Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Brewing teaching and research infrastructure
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Continuous chromatography system for advanced bioprocessing
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    The Mechanisms of Glycogen Superstructure Assembly in Diabetes
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Microevolution of Cryptococcus neoformans
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Identifying cellular factors controlling early-onset torsion dystonia
    The Parkinson's & Movement Disorder Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Molecular characterization of complex biological polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Moonlighting from sugar to metal
    ARC Discovery Projects
    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
    How Sweet It Is: diagnostic clinical and experimental glycoproteomics
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (Biomedical; Level 1): Phase variable protein glycosylation in bacteria mucosal pathogens and its role in immune evasion
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    ResTeach Funding 2012 0.1 FTE School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    The protein O-glycosylation pathway in Neisseria meningitidis (ARC Discovery Project administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Mechanisms of glycosylation site selection by yeast oligosaccharyltransferase
    Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    N-glycosylation in health and disease: a key role for Ost3p and Ost6p in regulation of substrate specificity.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    ResTeach 2010 0.1 FTE School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Mechanisms of protein O-glycosylation in pathogenic Neisseria
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Structural and functional characterisation of Neisseria meningitidis glycoproteins
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Benjamin Schulz is:
Available for supervision

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

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Metabolic and enzymatic diversity of native Australian yeasts

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of short peptides encoded by short open reading frames in eukaryotes

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The dynamic subcellular glycoproteome during influenza virus infection

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kirsty Short

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of short peptides encoded by short open reading frames in eukaryotes

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Systems biology-guided cell line engineering for production of therapeutic proteins with complex post-translational modifications

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structures and functions of secreted yeast glycoproteins in wine and beer quality

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genetic determinants of the dynamic subcellular glycoproteome in influenza infection

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kirsty Short

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Systems biology-guided cell line engineering for production of therapeutic proteins with complex post-translational modifications

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Cryptococcus neoformans SAGA: Investigating the SAGA associated Histone acetyltransferase and Deubiquitinase modules opposing influence on virulence

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James Fraser

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genotypic Responses to Heat Stress Events in Grain Yield, Malt Quality, and Proteome of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Vijaya Singh

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Characterisation of Immune Cells in Response To RAGE Antagonism Therapy in Mouse Models of Type 1 Diabetes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Amelia Fotheringham, Honorary Professor Josephine Forbes, Dr Irina Buckle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of cellular receptors and membrane binding mechanisms utilized by YenTc

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of the cotranscriptional activator complex SAGA in virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James Fraser

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structure and Function of ScCAD, the first step of Pyrimidine Synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe, Associate Professor Michael Landsberg

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Environmental and genetic mechanisms that control seed germination of Australian native Eremophila (Emu Bush)

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Benjamin Schulz directly for media enquiries about:

  • beer
  • fermentation
  • glycosylation
  • yeast

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