Professor Bostjan Kobe
Professor

Bostjan Kobe

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52132

Background

Dr Kobe's research interests are in protein structure and function, focussing particularly on proteins involved in the processes of infection and immunity.

The primary techniques used in the laboratory are X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, combined with a plethora of other molecular biology, biophysical and computational techniques.

Current projects include:

  • Structural basis of signalling by cooperative assembly formation (SCAF) in innate immunity and cell-death pathways, in particular Toll-like receptors and interleukin-1 receptors
  • Structural basis of plant disease resistance - particularly plant NLRs and the correponding pathogen effector proteins
  • Molecular and structural basis of function of proteins from pathogens (fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens)

Availability

Professor Bostjan Kobe is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Plant biology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Ljubljana
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Biochemistry and Biophysics, unknown

Research interests

  • Protein structure and function

    The group’s research theme is protein structure and function, with the emphasis on understanding the structural basis of intra- and intermolecular interactions formed by these macromolecules and inferring function from structure. The biological focus is on proteins involved in infection and immunity. The goal of the research is to use structural and molecular information to understand the molecular and cellular functions of proteins, validate proteins as therapeutic targets or biotechnological products, and to design new therapeutics and biotechnological applications. The primary techniques used in the laboratory are X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, combined with a plethora of other molecular biology, biophysical and computational techniques

Research impacts

We focus on basic research that provides a foundsation for applications in medicine (inflammatory, neurodegenerative and infectious disease) anf agriculture (improving plant disease resistance).

Search Professor Bostjan Kobe’s works on UQ eSpace

356 works between 1991 and 2024
All (356) Journal Article (278) Book Chapter (19) Conference Publication (58) Book (1)

341 - 356 of 356 works

1996

Journal Article

Ca2+ /S100 regulation of giant protein kinases

Heierhorst, Jörg, Kobe, Bostjan, Feil, Susanne C., Parker, Michael W., Benian, Guy M., Weiss, Klaudiusz R. and Kemp, Bruce E. (1996). Ca2+ /S100 regulation of giant protein kinases. Nature, 380 (6575), 636-639. doi: 10.1038/380636a0

Ca2+ /S100 regulation of giant protein kinases

1996

Journal Article

Mechanism of ribonuclease inhibition by ribonuclease inhibitor protein based on the crystal structure of its complex with ribonuclease A

Kobe, B and Deisenhofer, J (1996). Mechanism of ribonuclease inhibition by ribonuclease inhibitor protein based on the crystal structure of its complex with ribonuclease A. Journal of Molecular Biology, 264 (5), 1028-1043. doi: 10.1006/jmbi.1996.0694

Mechanism of ribonuclease inhibition by ribonuclease inhibitor protein based on the crystal structure of its complex with ribonuclease A

1996

Journal Article

Giant protein kinases: Domain interactions and structural basis of autoregulation

Kobe, B, Heierhorst, J, Feil, SC, Parker, MW, Benian, GM, Weiss, KR and Kemp, BE (1996). Giant protein kinases: Domain interactions and structural basis of autoregulation. Embo Journal, 15 (24), 6810-6821. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1996.tb01072.x

Giant protein kinases: Domain interactions and structural basis of autoregulation

1996

Journal Article

Intrasteric regulation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinases

Kemp, B. E., Barden, J. A., Kobe, B., House, C. and Parker, M. W. (1996). Intrasteric regulation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. Advances in Pharmacology, 36 (C), 221-249. doi: 10.1016/S1054-3589(08)60584-0

Intrasteric regulation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinases

1996

Journal Article

Leucines on a roll

Kobe, Bostjan (1996). Leucines on a roll. Nature Structural Biology, 3 (12), 977-980. doi: 10.1038/nsb1296-977

Leucines on a roll

1995

Journal Article

Proteins with leucine-rich repeats

Kobe, Bostjan and Deisenhofer, Johann (1995). Proteins with leucine-rich repeats. Current Opinion in Structural Biology, 5 (3), 409-416. doi: 10.1016/0959-440X(95)80105-7

Proteins with leucine-rich repeats

1995

Journal Article

A structural basis of the interactions between leucine-rich repeats and protein ligands

Kobe, Bostjan and Deisenhofer, Johann (1995). A structural basis of the interactions between leucine-rich repeats and protein ligands. Nature, 374 (6518), 183-186. doi: 10.1038/374183a0

A structural basis of the interactions between leucine-rich repeats and protein ligands

1994

Journal Article

Complex between bovine ribonuclease A and porcine ribonuclease inhibitor crystallizes in a similar unit cell as free ribonuclease inhibitor

Kobe, Bestjan, Ma, Zhiquan and Deisenhofer, Johann (1994). Complex between bovine ribonuclease A and porcine ribonuclease inhibitor crystallizes in a similar unit cell as free ribonuclease inhibitor. Journal of Molecular Biology, 241 (2), 288-291. doi: 10.1006/jmbi.1994.1502

Complex between bovine ribonuclease A and porcine ribonuclease inhibitor crystallizes in a similar unit cell as free ribonuclease inhibitor

1994

Journal Article

The leucine-rich repeat: a versatile binding motif

Kobe, Bostjan and Deisenhofer, Johann (1994). The leucine-rich repeat: a versatile binding motif. Trends In Biochemical Sciences, 19 (10), 415-421. doi: 10.1016/0968-0004(94)90090-6

The leucine-rich repeat: a versatile binding motif

1993

Journal Article

Conformational behavior of Escherichia coli OmpA signal peptides in membrane mimetic environments

Rizo, Josep, Blanco, Francisco J., Kobe, Bostjan, Bruch, Martha D. and Gierasch, Lila M. (1993). Conformational behavior of Escherichia coli OmpA signal peptides in membrane mimetic environments. Biochemistry, 32 (18), 4881-4894. doi: 10.1021/bi00069a025

Conformational behavior of Escherichia coli OmpA signal peptides in membrane mimetic environments

1993

Journal Article

Crystal structure of porcine ribonuclease inhibitor, a protein with leucine-rich repeats

Kobe, Bostjan and Deisenhofer, Johann (1993). Crystal structure of porcine ribonuclease inhibitor, a protein with leucine-rich repeats. Nature, 366 (6457), 751-756. doi: 10.1038/366751a0

Crystal structure of porcine ribonuclease inhibitor, a protein with leucine-rich repeats

1993

Journal Article

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of porcine ribonuclease inhibitor, a protein with leucine-rich repeats

Kobe, Bostjan and Deisenhofer, Johann (1993). Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of porcine ribonuclease inhibitor, a protein with leucine-rich repeats. Journal of Molecular Biology, 231 (1), 137-140. doi: 10.1006/jmbi.1993.1263

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of porcine ribonuclease inhibitor, a protein with leucine-rich repeats

1992

Journal Article

Use of distance geometry approach for the in vitro antiviral activity evaluation of N-bridgehead C-nucleosides

Kobe, B., Kobe, J., Smee, D. F., Jerman-Blazic-Dzonova, B. and Solmajer, T. (1992). Use of distance geometry approach for the in vitro antiviral activity evaluation of N-bridgehead C-nucleosides. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 27 (3), 259-266. doi: 10.1016/0223-5234(92)90010-X

Use of distance geometry approach for the in vitro antiviral activity evaluation of N-bridgehead C-nucleosides

1992

Conference Publication

Conformations of wild type and mutant OmpA signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments

Rizo, J., Blanco, F., Kobe, B., Bruch, M. D., Hoyt, D. W. and Gierasch, L. M. (1992). Conformations of wild type and mutant OmpA signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments. 12th American Peptide Symposium, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A., 16-21 June, 1991. Leiden, The Netherlands: ESCOM.

Conformations of wild type and mutant OmpA signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments

1992

Book Chapter

Conformations of wild-type and mutant OmpA signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments

Rizo, Josep, Blanco, Francisco, Kobe, Bostjan, Bruch, Martha D., Hoyt, David W. and Gierasch, Lila M. (1992). Conformations of wild-type and mutant OmpA signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments. Peptides. (pp. 265-267) Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/978-94-011-2264-1_94

Conformations of wild-type and mutant OmpA signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments

1991

Journal Article

Structural evolution of an enzyme specificity. The structure of rat carboxypeptidase A2 at 1.9-A resolution

Faming, Z., Kobe, B., Stewart, C. B., Rutter, W. J. and Goldsmith, E. J. (1991). Structural evolution of an enzyme specificity. The structure of rat carboxypeptidase A2 at 1.9-A resolution. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 266 (36), 24606-24612.

Structural evolution of an enzyme specificity. The structure of rat carboxypeptidase A2 at 1.9-A resolution

Current funding

  • 2024
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Dedicated High-throughput 3D-Electron Diffractometer (ARC LIEF grant administered by The University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Proteins in innate immunity pathways: from protein structure to therapeutic targeting
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Nanocrystal Electron Diffraction Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Structural basis of plant immune receptor signaling
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2024)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2024)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2023)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2023)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2023)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2022)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2022)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Come together: how proteins join forces to perform signaling functions
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2022)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2021)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2021)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Macromolecular Crystallography CAP (2021)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    COVID-19 vaccines and inhibitors
    Queensland-Chinese Academy of Sciences (Q-CAS) Collaborative Science Fund (DES)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Molecular basis of zinc acquisition by Streptococcus pneumoniae (NHMRC Ideas Grant led by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Collaborative Access Program
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Molecular mechanisms of signalling by plant immune receptors
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Molecular basis and inhibition of TIR-domain function in Toll-like receptor and neuronal cell-death pathways
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Repurposing a FDA drug to treat triple-negative breast cancer (NBCF grant administered by QIMR Berghofer)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Unifying mechanisms of innate immunity signaling in animals and plants
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University Collaborative Access Program
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Automated high resolution & high contrast cryoTEM for 3D structural biology
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Cryoelectron Microscopy Platform for Cellular Structural Biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Epifluorescent and live-cell imaging microscopes for the investigation of host-pathogen interactions and for molecular and cellular biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Sponsored research regarding SARM1
    Disarm Therapeutics
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Characterization and inhibition of higher-order assembly signalling in Toll-like receptor pathways
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Molecular mechanism of action of plant immune receptors
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Structural biology and therapeutic targeting of proteins involved in infection and immunity
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Structural characterisation of proteins involved in host-pathogen interactions in plants and animals with both medical and biotechnology implications
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    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
    Protein Analysis Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Proteins and glycans in host-pathogen interactions: targets for novel drugs and vaccines (NHMRC Program Grant administered by The University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Structural characterisation of proteins involved in host-pathogen interactions in plants and animals with both medical and biotechnology applications
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program AS141/SAXS/7609: Structural characterisation of proteins involved in host-pathogen interactions in plants and animals with both medical and biotechnology implicat
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Overcoming membrane protein research roadblocks: A Queensland facility for membrane protein production and crystallisation
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Understanding the molecular function of plant disease resistance proteins, pathogen effectors and their interaction to protect Australian agriculture
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Multi angle light scattering detector for the measurement of absolute molecular weight, size, and conformation of macromolecules in solution
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Molecular and structural basis of signalling by TIR domain-containing adaptors in TLR pathways
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SRF B): Structural biology of infection and immunity
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of bacterial infectious diseases (NHMRC Program Grant administered by the University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Australian Synchrotron Beamtime application for use for protein crystallography at the Australian Synchrotron
    Australian Synchrotron Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program - Expert User Beamtime Allocation from 18/04/2009 to 20/04/2009
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Infrastructure for biochemistry and infectious disease resarch in molecualr biosciences
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Molecular basis of the interaction between plant disease resistance proteins and pathogen avirulence proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Molecular characterization of dengue virus fusion and antiviral inhibitors
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    Macrophage proteins: structure, function and e-science
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2010
    New Approaches to Functional and Structural Genomics
    ARC Federation Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2005
    AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON RESEARCH PROGRAM - Travel to BioCARS, (SER-CAT) Advanced Photon Source, USA (6-7 July 2005)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Atomic Structure of Transient Protein-protein Interactions
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Functional and structural characterisation of Defective embryo and meristems (Dem) proteins involved in plant development.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Structural biology of macromolecular assemblies as part of the visual cell program
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Structure and function of novel macrophage proteins using high throughput crystallography
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Australian Protease Network
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Dynamic Light Scattering Instrument
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2010
    HONORARY NHMRC RESEARCH FELLOW
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Molecular basis of Dengue Virus-induced fusion
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Targeted Structural Genomics of Macrophage Proteins
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002
    AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON RESEARCH PROGRAM: Support for Access to the Advanced Photon Source to visit BIOCARS (13-18 November 2002)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Biocore 3000 for discovery and characterisation of novel pharmaceuticals
    Systemic Infrastucture Iniative
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Structural characterisation of developmentally regulated g-proteins (DRG)
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Structural studies of plant disease resistance proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    NHMRC Equipment Grant 2000
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Structural Characterisation of Nuclear Localisation Signal-receptor Recognition
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Armadillo repeats as a designer peptide binding framework
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Structural basis for substrate recognition of protein kineases
    University of Queensland Small Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Structural Characterisation of Phosphopeptide Recognition by FHA Domains
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Structural basis for substrate recognition of protein kinases
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Structural studies of the catalytic mechanism of phenylalanine hydroxylase
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    Structures of retroviral envelope proteins and the mechanism of viral infection
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Wellcome Senior Research Fellowship in Medical Science in Australia
    Wellcome Trust
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Bostjan Kobe is:
Available for supervision

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

Available projects

  • Structure and function of proteins involved in infection and immunity

    The projects involve protein expression and purification, structual biology and biophysical techniques.

    • Molecular and structural basis of innate immunity in animals, plants and bacteria
    • Molecular and structural basis of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogenesis

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural and biochemical characterization of dual enzymatic activity of TIR domains from plant innate immune receptors

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natsumi Maruta, Professor Mehdi Mobli

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural biology of TIR domain-containing proteins

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural and molecular basis of signalling by plant immune receptors

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natsumi Maruta

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural basis of plant immune receptor signaling

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natsumi Maruta

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural and functional analysis of TIR domain enzymatic activity

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kate Stacey, Dr Parimala Vajjhala

  • Master Philosophy

    Therapeutic targetting of proteins involved in Toll-like receptor signalling

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Avril Robertson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structural basis of plant immune receptor signaling

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natsumi Maruta

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structure and function of bacterial TIR domain-containing proteins

    Principal Advisor

  • Master Philosophy

    Structure and function of proteins involved in Toll-like receptor signalling

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the molecular pathway of SARM1 mediated axon degeneration

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Molecular mechanisms of signalling by plant immune receptors

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structure and function of mammalian TIR domain-containing proteins

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structure and Function of SARM1

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Benjamin Schulz, Associate Professor Michael Landsberg

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Resolving a Dichotomy: A Journey between the Laboratory and the Classroom

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James Fraser

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Purine biosynthesis as an anti fungal target

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James Fraser

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Methods for protein structure analysis using spin labelling, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modelling

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Craig Bell, Dr Rhia Stone, Associate Professor Jeffrey Harmer

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Bostjan Kobe directly for media enquiries about:

  • bacterial
  • bioinformatics
  • innate immunity
  • nucleo-cytoplasmic transport
  • protein-protein interactions
  • structural biology
  • viral infection
  • x-ray crystallography

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