Associate Professor Richard Clark
Associate Professor

Richard Clark

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51527

Background

Dr Clark is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biomedical Sciences where he is Head of the Peptide Chemical Biology Lab. He completed his PhD in 2000 at the UQ Chemistry Department studying marine natural products chemistry and chemical ecology with Prof. Mary Garson. He then shifted his research focus towards peptide chemistry, structural biology and drug design when he was recruited to the lab of Prof. David Craik at the IMB. His current research focus is the development of technologies to stabilise peptide therapeutics and the elucidation of the structure/function activity of bioactive peptides.

Availability

Associate Professor Richard Clark is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Tasmania
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Richard Clark’s works on UQ eSpace

163 works between 1998 and 2024
All (163) Journal Article (121) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (36) Other Outputs (1)

61 - 80 of 163 works

2016

Conference Publication

Discovery, Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Cysteine-Rich Peptides From Insects

Koehbach, J. and Clark, R. J. (2016). Discovery, Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Cysteine-Rich Peptides From Insects. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

Discovery, Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Cysteine-Rich Peptides From Insects

2015

Journal Article

Transforming conotoxins into cyclotides: backbone cyclization of P-superfamily conotoxins

Akcan, Muharrem, Clark, Richard J., Daly, Norelle L., Conibear, Anne C., de Faoite, Andrew, Heghinian, Mari D., Sahil, Talwar, Adams, David J., Mari, Frank and Craik, David J. (2015). Transforming conotoxins into cyclotides: backbone cyclization of P-superfamily conotoxins. Peptide Science, 104 (6), 682-692. doi: 10.1002/bip.22699

Transforming conotoxins into cyclotides: backbone cyclization of P-superfamily conotoxins

2015

Journal Article

Isolation, characterization, and synthesis of the barrettides: disulfide-containing peptides from the marine sponge Geodia barretti

Carstens, Bodil B., Rosengren, K. Johan, Gunasekera, Sunithi, Schempp, Stefanie, Bohlin, Lars, Dahlstrom, Mia, Clark, Richard J. and Goransson, Ulf (2015). Isolation, characterization, and synthesis of the barrettides: disulfide-containing peptides from the marine sponge Geodia barretti. Journal of Natural Products, 78 (8), 1886-1893. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00210

Isolation, characterization, and synthesis of the barrettides: disulfide-containing peptides from the marine sponge Geodia barretti

2015

Journal Article

Inhibition of human prolyl oligopeptidase activity by the cyclotide psysol 2 isolated from Psychotria solitudinum

Hellinger, Roland, Koehbach, Johannes, Puigpinos, Albert, Clark, Richard J., Tarrago, Teresa, Giralt, Ernest and Gruber, Christian W. (2015). Inhibition of human prolyl oligopeptidase activity by the cyclotide psysol 2 isolated from Psychotria solitudinum. Journal of Natural Products, 78 (5), 1073-1082. doi: 10.1021/np501061t

Inhibition of human prolyl oligopeptidase activity by the cyclotide psysol 2 isolated from Psychotria solitudinum

2015

Journal Article

In vivo efficacy of anuran rypsin inhibitory peptides against Staphylococcal Skin infection and the impact of peptide cyclization

Malik, U., Silva, O. N., Fensterseifer, I. C. M., Chan, A., Clark, R. J., Franco, O. L., Daly, N. L. and Craik, D. J. (2015). In vivo efficacy of anuran rypsin inhibitory peptides against Staphylococcal Skin infection and the impact of peptide cyclization. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 59 (4), 2113-2121. doi: 10.1128/AAC.04324-14

In vivo efficacy of anuran rypsin inhibitory peptides against Staphylococcal Skin infection and the impact of peptide cyclization

2015

Journal Article

Alanine scan ofα-conotoxin regIIA reveals a selective α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist

Kompella, Shiva N., Hung, Andrew, Clark, Richard J., Mari, Frank and Adams, David J. (2015). Alanine scan ofα-conotoxin regIIA reveals a selective α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290 (2), 1039-1048. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M114.605592

Alanine scan ofα-conotoxin regIIA reveals a selective α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist

2015

Conference Publication

Exploring the chemistry and pharmacological potential of bioactive peptides from insects

Koehbach, Johannes and Clark, Richard J. (2015). Exploring the chemistry and pharmacological potential of bioactive peptides from insects. 14th International Congress on Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins, Vienna, Austria, August 3–7, 2015. Wien, Austria: Springer Wien. doi: 10.1007/s00726-015-2016-z

Exploring the chemistry and pharmacological potential of bioactive peptides from insects

2014

Journal Article

Differential Cav2.1 and Cav2.3 channel inhibition by baclofen and α-conotoxin Vc1.1 via GABAB receptor activation

Berecki, Géza, McArthur, Jeffrey R., Cuny, Hartmut, Clark, Richard J. and Adams, David J. (2014). Differential Cav2.1 and Cav2.3 channel inhibition by baclofen and α-conotoxin Vc1.1 via GABAB receptor activation. Journal of General Physiology, 143 (4), 465-479. doi: 10.1085/jgp.201311104

Differential Cav2.1 and Cav2.3 channel inhibition by baclofen and α-conotoxin Vc1.1 via GABAB receptor activation

2014

Conference Publication

Applications of conotoxins for the treatment of pain

Craik, David J., Clark, Richard J. and Poth, Aaron (2014). Applications of conotoxins for the treatment of pain. 247th National Spring Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Dallas, TX, United States, March 16-20, 2014. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.

Applications of conotoxins for the treatment of pain

2014

Conference Publication

A new target for the alpha-conotoxins: the gaba(b) receptor

Clark, R. J., Carstens, B. B., Berecki, G., Callaghan, B., Adams, D. J. and Craik, D. J. (2014). A new target for the alpha-conotoxins: the gaba(b) receptor. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.

A new target for the alpha-conotoxins: the gaba(b) receptor

2013

Journal Article

Erratum: Chemical re-engineering of chlorotoxin improves bioconjugation properties for tumor imaging and targeted therapy (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2011) 54 (782-787) DOI: 10.1021/jm101018r)

Akcan, Muharrem, Stroud, Mark R., Hansen, Stacey J., Clark, Richard J., Daly, Norelle L., Craik, David J. and Olson, James M. (2013). Erratum: Chemical re-engineering of chlorotoxin improves bioconjugation properties for tumor imaging and targeted therapy (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2011) 54 (782-787) DOI: 10.1021/jm101018r). Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 56 (23), 9807-9807. doi: 10.1021/jm4016119

Erratum: Chemical re-engineering of chlorotoxin improves bioconjugation properties for tumor imaging and targeted therapy (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2011) 54 (782-787) DOI: 10.1021/jm101018r)

2013

Journal Article

Identifying key amino acid residues that affect alpha-conotoxin AuIB inhibition of alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Grishin, Anton A., Cuny, Hartmut, Hung, Andrew, Clark, Richard J., Brust, Andreas, Akondi, Kalyana, Alewood, Paul F., Craik, David J. and Adams, David J. (2013). Identifying key amino acid residues that affect alpha-conotoxin AuIB inhibition of alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288 (48), 34428-34442. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.512582

Identifying key amino acid residues that affect alpha-conotoxin AuIB inhibition of alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

2013

Journal Article

Novel inhibitor cystine knot peptides from momordica charantia

He, Wen-Jun, Chan, Lai Yue, Clark, Richard J., Tang, Jun, Zeng, Guang-Zhi, Franco, Octavio L., Cantacessi, Cinzia, Craik, David J., Daly, Norelle L. and Tan, Ning-Hua (2013). Novel inhibitor cystine knot peptides from momordica charantia. PLoS ONE, 8 (10) e75334, e75334.1-e75334.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075334

Novel inhibitor cystine knot peptides from momordica charantia

2013

Journal Article

Design, synthesis and characterisation of cyclic analogues of the iron regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin

Clark, Richard J., Preza, Gloria C., Tan, Chia Chia, van Dijk, Johannes W. A., Fung, Eileen, Nemeth, Elizabeta, Ganz, Tomas and Craik, David J. (2013). Design, synthesis and characterisation of cyclic analogues of the iron regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin. Biopolymers: Peptide Science, 100 (5), 519-526. doi: 10.1002/bip.22350

Design, synthesis and characterisation of cyclic analogues of the iron regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin

2013

Conference Publication

Development of analgesic alpha-conotoxins for treatment of chronic pain

Adams, D. J., Berecki, G., Clark, R. and Craik, D. J. (2013). Development of analgesic alpha-conotoxins for treatment of chronic pain. 4th Meeting of the Australia Chinese Association for Biomedical Sciences Inc (ACABS), Hangzhou Peoples R China, 10-13 October 2013. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12170

Development of analgesic alpha-conotoxins for treatment of chronic pain

2013

Conference Publication

alpha-Conotoxin Regiia Targeting Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Mutagenesis Studies Improving Selectivity and Potency

Kompella, Shiva N., Hung, Andrew, Clark, Richard J. and Adams, David J. (2013). alpha-Conotoxin Regiia Targeting Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Mutagenesis Studies Improving Selectivity and Potency. 57th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, Philadelphia Pa, 02-06 February 2013. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Cell Press. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.11.3505

alpha-Conotoxin Regiia Targeting Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Mutagenesis Studies Improving Selectivity and Potency

2012

Journal Article

Cyclization of conotoxins to improve their biopharmaceutical properties

Clark, Richard J., Akcan, Muharrem, Kaas, Quentin, Daly, Norelle L. and Craik, David J. (2012). Cyclization of conotoxins to improve their biopharmaceutical properties. Toxicon, 59 (4), 446-455. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.12.003

Cyclization of conotoxins to improve their biopharmaceutical properties

2012

Journal Article

Corrigendum: Engineering of Conotoxins for the Treatment of Pain (Current Pharmaceutical Design, (2011), 17, 38)

Carstens, Bodil B., Clark, Richard J., Daly, Norelle L., Harvey, Peta J., Kaas, Quentin and Craik, David J. (2012). Corrigendum: Engineering of Conotoxins for the Treatment of Pain (Current Pharmaceutical Design, (2011), 17, 38). Current Pharmaceutical Design, 18 (8) doi: 10.2174/138161212799315858

Corrigendum: Engineering of Conotoxins for the Treatment of Pain (Current Pharmaceutical Design, (2011), 17, 38)

2012

Journal Article

Engineering cyclic peptide toxins

Clark, Richard J. and Craik, David J. (2012). Engineering cyclic peptide toxins. Methods in Enzymology, 503, 57-74. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-396962-0.00003-3

Engineering cyclic peptide toxins

2012

Conference Publication

Novel single-chain ligands for the relaxin-3 receptor RXFP3

Rosengren, K. J., Haugaard-Kedstroem, L. M., Jones, M., Clark, R. J. and Bathgate, R. A. D. (2012). Novel single-chain ligands for the relaxin-3 receptor RXFP3. 32nd European Peptide Symposium "Peptides 2012", Athens, Greece, 02-07 September 2012. West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.1002/psc.2448

Novel single-chain ligands for the relaxin-3 receptor RXFP3

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Preclinical development of complement C5a receptor 2 modulators for motor neuron disease
    Cure for MND Foundation - Drug Development Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Making peptides orally bioavailable
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Making peptide drugs orally bioavailable
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Novel long-acting and orally delivered conotoxin-based peptides with both analgesic efficacy and disease modifying potential
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Developing novel acid-sensing ion channel inhibitors as neuroprotective leads and diagnostic agents for multiple sclerosis
    Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia - Targeted Grant - Neurodegeneration
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Complement C5aR1: A novel therapeutic target for brain cancer
    Brain Cancer Innovation Project Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Neuroprotective role of novel acid-sensing ion channel inhibitor in Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease
    Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Preclinical development of centrally active complement C3a receptor modulators as disease-modifying drugs for motor neuron disease
    Cure for MND Foundation - Drug Development Grants
    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
    Chemical Purification Network
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    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 - 2018
    A Pharmacology Screening Facility to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Development
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Hormone transplant by alpha-2-macroglubulin: Novel roles in regulating hormone activity (NHMRC Project Grant led by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Preclinical Development of Complement C5aR Antagonists for the Treatment of Motor Neuron Disease
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Development of complement C5aR1 antagonists for the treatment of motor neuron disease
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
    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
  • 2014 - 2016
    Better treatments for chronic pain
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Elucidating the mechanisms of alpha-conotoxin-induced calcium channel inhibition via G protein-coupled receptors (NHMRC project grant administered by Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Elucidating the neuroprotective properties of alpha-conotoxins
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Development of effective peptide-based drugs
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2011
    A Multi-Channel Fluorescence Plate Reader for Studying Receptor-Ligand Interactions
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Building UQ's analytical capacity in biomedical sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Understanding the structure/function relationships of the iron regulatory peptide hepcidin
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    A new G-protein coupled receptor target for conotoxins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    New peptide-based drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    The development of peptides (mini-proteins) as drugs: improved purification capability
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2021
    Cone Shell snail venom research
    The Simon Axelsen Memorial Fund
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    NHMRC Career Development Award (Biomedical - Level 1): Development of effective peptide-based drugs
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Development of a novel orally active peptide for the treatment of pain
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Discovery of novel cyclotides.
    Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Exploring the therapeutic potential of a novel family of proteins
    Australian Academy of Science
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Development of a generic strategy for the stabilisation of peptide-based therapeutics
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Development of stable peptide-based drugs for the treatment of iron disorders
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Molecular imprinting of circular proteins
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Richard Clark is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Designing novel conotoxins with therapeutic potential

    Conotoxins, with their exquisite specificity and potency have recently created much excitement as drug leads for the treatment of chronic pain. For example, the conotoxin MVIIA (also known as Ziconotide or Prialt) has been approved for use in the U.S. and Europe for the treatment of pain and several other conotoxins have entered clinical trials. In addition, a number of conotoxins have played a critical role in dissecting the molecular mechanisms of ion channel and transporter functions in the nervous system.

    There are projects available in the design of novel conotoxins that target specific receptors involved in pain.

  • Development of stable peptide-based drugs for the treatment of iron disorders

    Hepcidin is the principal iron-regulatory hormone and the key mediator of iron overload (haemochromatosis) and anaemia of inflammation. This research project involves two development streams of peptide design, synthesis and structure/function analysis. The first stream will focus on the specific residues important for biological activity of hepcidin and the mutation of these residues to improve activity. The second stream will involve the development of stabilised analogues of native hepcidin. The two streams will coalesce during the final round of development to produce a series of novel cyclic hepcidin drug leads.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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