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)

141 - 160 of 161 works

2010

Journal Article

A combined method for producing homogeneous glycoproteins with eukaryotic N-glycosylation

Schwarz, Flavio, Huang, Wei, Li, Cishan, Schulz, Benjamin L., Lizak, Christian, Palumbo, Alessandro, Numao, Shin, Neri, Dario, Aebi, Markus and Wang, Lai-Xi (2010). A combined method for producing homogeneous glycoproteins with eukaryotic N-glycosylation. Nature Chemical Biology, 6 (4), 264-266. doi: 10.1038/NCHEMBIO.314

A combined method for producing homogeneous glycoproteins with eukaryotic N-glycosylation

2009

Journal Article

Distinct donor and acceptor specificities of Trypanosoma brucei oligosaccharyltransferases

Izquierdo, Luis, Schulz, Benjamin L., Rodrigues, João A., Güther, Maria Lucia S., Procter, James B., Barton, Geoffrey J., Aebi, Markus and Ferguson, Michael A. J. (2009). Distinct donor and acceptor specificities of Trypanosoma brucei oligosaccharyltransferases. EMBO Journal, 28 (17), 2650-2661. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2009.203

Distinct donor and acceptor specificities of Trypanosoma brucei oligosaccharyltransferases

2009

Journal Article

Haem-delivery proteins in cytochrome c maturation System II

Ahuja, Umesh, Kjelgaard, Peter, Schulz, Benjamin L., Thony-Meyer, Linda and Hederstedt, Lars (2009). Haem-delivery proteins in cytochrome c maturation System II. Molecular Microbiology, 73 (6), 1058-1071. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06833.x

Haem-delivery proteins in cytochrome c maturation System II

2009

Journal Article

Oxidoreductase activity of oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p defines site-specific glycosylation efficiency

Schulz, Benjamin L., Stirnimann, Christian U., Grimshaw, John P. A., Brozzo, Maurice S., Fritsch, Fabienne, Mohorko, Elisabeth, Capitani, Guido, Glockshuber, Rudi, Grütter, Markus G. and Aebi, Markus (2009). Oxidoreductase activity of oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p defines site-specific glycosylation efficiency. PNAS, 106 (27), 11061-11066. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812515106

Oxidoreductase activity of oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p defines site-specific glycosylation efficiency

2009

Journal Article

Analysis of glycosylation site occupancy reveals a role for Ost3p and Ost6p in site-specific N-glycosylation efficiency

Schulz, Benjamin L. and Aebi, Markus (2009). Analysis of glycosylation site occupancy reveals a role for Ost3p and Ost6p in site-specific N-glycosylation efficiency. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 8 (2), 357-364. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M800219-MCP200

Analysis of glycosylation site occupancy reveals a role for Ost3p and Ost6p in site-specific N-glycosylation efficiency

2009

Journal Article

The pilin O-glycosylation pathway of pathogenic Neisseria is a general system that glycosylates AniA, an outer membrane nitrite reductase

Ku, S.C., Schulz, B.L., Power, P.M. and Jennings, M.P. (2009). The pilin O-glycosylation pathway of pathogenic Neisseria is a general system that glycosylates AniA, an outer membrane nitrite reductase. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 378 (1), 84-89. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.11.025

The pilin O-glycosylation pathway of pathogenic Neisseria is a general system that glycosylates AniA, an outer membrane nitrite reductase

2008

Journal Article

All in One: Leishmania major STT3 Proteins Substitute for the Whole Oligosaccharyltransferase Complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Nasab, Farnoush Parsaie, Schulz, Benjamin L., Gamarro, Francisco, Parodi, Armando J. and Aebi, Markus (2008). All in One: Leishmania major STT3 Proteins Substitute for the Whole Oligosaccharyltransferase Complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 19 (9), 3758-3768. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E08-05-0467

All in One: Leishmania major STT3 Proteins Substitute for the Whole Oligosaccharyltransferase Complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2007

Journal Article

Glycosylation of sputum mucins is altered in cystic fibrosis patients

Schulz, Benjamin L., Sloane, Andrew J., Robinson, Leanne J., Prasad, Sindhu S., Lindner, Robyn A., Robinson, Michael, Bye, Peter T., Nielson, Dennis W., Harry, Jenny L., Packer, Nicolle H. and Karlsson, Niclas G. (2007). Glycosylation of sputum mucins is altered in cystic fibrosis patients. Glycobiology, 17 (7), 698-712. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwm036

Glycosylation of sputum mucins is altered in cystic fibrosis patients

2007

Journal Article

Clinical laboratory testing in human medicine based on the detection of glycoconjugates

Schulz, Benjamin L., Laroy, Wouter and Callewaert, Nico (2007). Clinical laboratory testing in human medicine based on the detection of glycoconjugates. Current Molecular Medicine, 7 (4), 397-416. doi: 10.2174/156652407780831629

Clinical laboratory testing in human medicine based on the detection of glycoconjugates

2006

Journal Article

N-Linked glycosylation of folded proteins by the bacterial oligosaccharyl transferase

Kowarik, Michael, Numao, Shin, Feldman, Mario F., Schulz, Benjamin L., Callewaert, Nico, Kiermaier, Eva, Catrein, Ina and Aebi, Markus (2006). N-Linked glycosylation of folded proteins by the bacterial oligosaccharyl transferase. Science, 314 (5802), 1148-1150. doi: 10.1126/science.1134351

N-Linked glycosylation of folded proteins by the bacterial oligosaccharyl transferase

2006

Journal Article

Improved 2-DE of microorganisms after acidic extraction

Herbert, Ben R., Grinyer, Jasmine, McCarthy, John T., Isaacs, Mitchell, Harry, Elizabeth J., Nevalainen, Helena, Traini, Mathew D., Hunt, Sybille, Schulz, Ben, Laver, Matthew, Goodall, Anthony R., Packer, Joanne, Harry, Jenny L. and Williams, Keith L. (2006). Improved 2-DE of microorganisms after acidic extraction. Electrophoresis, 27 (8), 1630-1640. doi: 10.1002/elps.200500753

Improved 2-DE of microorganisms after acidic extraction

2006

Journal Article

Definition of the bacterial N-glycosylation site consensus sequence

Kowarik, Michael, Young, N. Martin, Numao, Shin, Schulz, Benjamin L., Hug, Isabelle, Callewaert, Nico, Mills, Dominic C., Watson, David C., Hernandez, Marcela, Kelly, John F., Wacker, Michael and Aebi, Markus (2006). Definition of the bacterial N-glycosylation site consensus sequence. The EMBO Journal, 25 (9), 1957-1966. doi: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601087

Definition of the bacterial N-glycosylation site consensus sequence

2005

Journal Article

Use of graphitised carbon negative ion LC-MS to analyse enzymatically digested glycosaminoglycans

Karlsson, Niclas G., Schulz, Benjamin L., Packer, Nicolle H. and Whitelock, John M. (2005). Use of graphitised carbon negative ion LC-MS to analyse enzymatically digested glycosaminoglycans. Journal of Chromatography B: Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 824 (1-2), 139-147. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2005.07.014

Use of graphitised carbon negative ion LC-MS to analyse enzymatically digested glycosaminoglycans

2005

Journal Article

MUC5B glycosylation in human saliva reflects blood group and secretor status

Thomsson, Kristina A., Schulz, Benjamin L., Packer, Nicolle H. and Karlsson, Niclas G. (2005). MUC5B glycosylation in human saliva reflects blood group and secretor status. Glycobiology, 15 (8), 791-804. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwi059

MUC5B glycosylation in human saliva reflects blood group and secretor status

2005

Journal Article

Mucin glycosylation changes in cystic fibrosis lung disease are not manifest in submucosal gland secretions

Schulz, Benjamin L., Sloane, Andrew J., Robinson, Leanne J., Sebastian, Lucille T., Glanville, Allan R., Song, Yuanlin, Verkman, Alan S., Harry, Jenny L., Packer, Nicolle H. and Karlsson, Niclas G. (2005). Mucin glycosylation changes in cystic fibrosis lung disease are not manifest in submucosal gland secretions. Biochemical Journal, 387 (3), 911-919. doi: 10.1042/BJ20041641

Mucin glycosylation changes in cystic fibrosis lung disease are not manifest in submucosal gland secretions

2004

Conference Publication

Exploring the role of the glycosylation of mucins in the defence against pathogens in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems

Karlsson, NG, Schulz, BL, Wilson, NL and Packer, NH (2004). Exploring the role of the glycosylation of mucins in the defence against pathogens in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Joint Meeting of the Society-for-Glycobiology/Japanese-Society-for-Carbohydrate-Research, Honolulu Hi, Nov 17-20, 2004. CARY: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.

Exploring the role of the glycosylation of mucins in the defence against pathogens in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems

2004

Journal Article

Structural determination of neutral O-linked oligosaccharide alditols by negative ion LC-electrospray-MS

Karlsson, Niclas G., Schulz, Benjamin L. and Packer, Nicolle H. (2004). Structural determination of neutral O-linked oligosaccharide alditols by negative ion LC-electrospray-MS. Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 15 (5), 659-672. doi: 10.1016/j.jasms.2004.01.002

Structural determination of neutral O-linked oligosaccharide alditols by negative ion LC-electrospray-MS

2004

Journal Article

Development of a mass fingerprinting tool for automated interpretation of oligosaccharide fragmentation data

Joshi, Hiren J., Harrison, Mathew J., Schulz, Benjamin L., Cooper, Catherine A., Packer, Nicolle H. and Karlsson, Niclas G. (2004). Development of a mass fingerprinting tool for automated interpretation of oligosaccharide fragmentation data. Proteomics, 4 (6), 1650-1664. doi: 10.1002/pmic.200300784

Development of a mass fingerprinting tool for automated interpretation of oligosaccharide fragmentation data

2002

Journal Article

Identification of two highly sialylated human tear fluid DMBT1 ssoforms: Major high molecular weight glycoproteins in human tears

Schulz, Benjamin L., Oxley, David, Packer, Nicolle H. and Karlsson, Niclas G. (2002). Identification of two highly sialylated human tear fluid DMBT1 ssoforms: Major high molecular weight glycoproteins in human tears. Biochemical Journal, 366 (2), 1-29. doi: 10.1042/BJ20011876

Identification of two highly sialylated human tear fluid DMBT1 ssoforms: Major high molecular weight glycoproteins in human tears

2002

Journal Article

Sequential analysis of N- and O-Linked Glycosylation of 2D-PAGE separated glycoproteins

Wilson, Nicole L., Schulz, Benjamin L., Karlsson, Niclas G. and Packer, Nicolle H. (2002). Sequential analysis of N- and O-Linked Glycosylation of 2D-PAGE separated glycoproteins. Journal of Proteome Research, 1 (6), 521-529. doi: 10.1021/pr025538d

Sequential analysis of N- and O-Linked Glycosylation of 2D-PAGE separated glycoproteins

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

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

    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

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave

  • 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Benjamin Schulz directly for media enquiries about:

  • beer
  • fermentation
  • glycosylation
  • yeast

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