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)

101 - 120 of 163 works

2010

Journal Article

Native chemical ligation applied to the synthesis and bioengineering of circular peptides and proteins

Clark, Richard J. and Craik, David J. (2010). Native chemical ligation applied to the synthesis and bioengineering of circular peptides and proteins. Biopolymers, 94 (4), 414-422. doi: 10.1002/bip.21372

Native chemical ligation applied to the synthesis and bioengineering of circular peptides and proteins

2010

Conference Publication

The engineering of an orally active conotoxin for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Clark, J., Jensen, J., Nevin, S., Brid, C., Adams, D. and Craik, D. (2010). The engineering of an orally active conotoxin for the treatment of neuropathic pain. EPS 2010: The 31st European Peptide Symposium, Copenhagen, Denmark, 5-9 September 2010. Bognor Regis, West Sussex, U.K.: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/psc.1302

The engineering of an orally active conotoxin for the treatment of neuropathic pain

2010

Book Chapter

NMR-based screening and drug discovery

Craik, David J., Smith, Philippa A. and Clark, Richard James (2010). NMR-based screening and drug discovery. Burger's medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and development. (pp. 359-437) edited by Donald J. Abraham, David P. Rotella and Alfred Burger. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. doi: 10.1002/0471266949

NMR-based screening and drug discovery

2009

Journal Article

Beta-arrestin 2 is required for complement C1q expression in macrophages and constrains factor-independent survival

Lattin, J. E., Greenwood, K. P., Daly, N. L., Kelly, G, Zidar, D. A., Clark, R. J., Thomas, W. G., Kellie, Stuart, Craik, D. J., Hume, D. A. and Sweet, M. J. (2009). Beta-arrestin 2 is required for complement C1q expression in macrophages and constrains factor-independent survival. Molecular Immunology, 47 (2-3), 340-347. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.09.012

Beta-arrestin 2 is required for complement C1q expression in macrophages and constrains factor-independent survival

2009

Journal Article

A synthetic combinatorial strategy for developing alpha-conotoxin analogs as potent alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists

Armishaw, Christopher J., Singh, Narender, Medina-Franco, Jose L., Clark, Richard J., Scott, Krystle C. M., Houghten, Richard A. and Jensen, Anders A. (2009). A synthetic combinatorial strategy for developing alpha-conotoxin analogs as potent alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285 (3), 1809-1821. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.071183

A synthetic combinatorial strategy for developing alpha-conotoxin analogs as potent alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists

2009

Journal Article

Scanning mutagenesis of alpha-conotoxin Vc1.1 reveals residues crucial for activity at the alpha-9 alpha-10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Halai, Reena, Clark, Richard J., Nevin, Simon T., Jensen, Jonas E., Adams, David J. and Craik, David J. (2009). Scanning mutagenesis of alpha-conotoxin Vc1.1 reveals residues crucial for activity at the alpha-9 alpha-10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (30), 20275-20284. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.015339

Scanning mutagenesis of alpha-conotoxin Vc1.1 reveals residues crucial for activity at the alpha-9 alpha-10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

2009

Journal Article

Dissecting the oxidative folding of circular cystine knot miniproteins

Gunasekera, Sunithi, Daly, Norelle L., Clark, Richard J. and Craik, David J. (2009). Dissecting the oxidative folding of circular cystine knot miniproteins. Antioxidants and Redox Signalling, 11 (5), 971-980. doi: 10.1089/ars.2008.2295

Dissecting the oxidative folding of circular cystine knot miniproteins

2009

Journal Article

Rational design of alpha-conotoxin analogues targeting alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Improved antagonistic activity by incorporation of proline derivatives

Armishaw, Christopher, Jensen, Anders A., Balle, Thomas, Clark, Richard J., Harpsøe, Kasper, Skonberg, Christian, Liljefors, Tommy and Strømgaard, Kristian (2009). Rational design of alpha-conotoxin analogues targeting alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Improved antagonistic activity by incorporation of proline derivatives. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (14), 9498-9512. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M806136200

Rational design of alpha-conotoxin analogues targeting alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Improved antagonistic activity by incorporation of proline derivatives

2009

Journal Article

Inhibition of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes by alpha-conotoxin GID and analogues

Millard, Emma L., Nevin, Simon T., Loughnan, Marion L., Nicke, Annette, Clark, Richard J., Alewood, Paul F., Lewis, Richard J., Adams, David J., Craik, David J. and Daly, Norelle L. (2009). Inhibition of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes by alpha-conotoxin GID and analogues. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (8), 4944-4951. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M804950200

Inhibition of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes by alpha-conotoxin GID and analogues

2009

Conference Publication

Mutational atudies on alpha-conotoxin VCL1

Halai, R., Clark, R., Nevin, S., Adams, D. and Craik, D. (2009). Mutational atudies on alpha-conotoxin VCL1. 21st American Peptide Symposium, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, 7-12 June 2009. United States: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. doi: 10.1002/bip.21223

Mutational atudies on alpha-conotoxin VCL1

2008

Journal Article

Analgesic alpha-Conotoxins Vc1.1 and Rg1A inhibit N-type calcium channels in rat sensory neurons via GABA-B receptor activation

Callaghan, Brid, Haythornthwaite, Alison R., Berecki, Geza, Clark, Richard J., Craik, David J. and Adams, David J. (2008). Analgesic alpha-Conotoxins Vc1.1 and Rg1A inhibit N-type calcium channels in rat sensory neurons via GABA-B receptor activation. The Journal of Neuroscience, 28 (43), 10943-10951. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3594-08.2008

Analgesic alpha-Conotoxins Vc1.1 and Rg1A inhibit N-type calcium channels in rat sensory neurons via GABA-B receptor activation

2008

Journal Article

Engineering stablized vascular endothelial growth factor-A antagonists: synthesis, structural characterization and bioactivity of grafted analogues of cyclotides

Gunasekera, Sunithi, Foley, Fiona M., Clark, Richard J., Sando, Lillian, Fabri, Louis J., Craik, David J. and Daly, Norelle L. (2008). Engineering stablized vascular endothelial growth factor-A antagonists: synthesis, structural characterization and bioactivity of grafted analogues of cyclotides. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 51 (24), 7697-7704. doi: 10.1021/jm800704e

Engineering stablized vascular endothelial growth factor-A antagonists: synthesis, structural characterization and bioactivity of grafted analogues of cyclotides

2008

Journal Article

Binding mode of alpha-conotoxins to an acetylcholine binding protein determined by saturation transfer difference NMR

Westermann, Jan, Clark, Richard J. and Craik, David J. (2008). Binding mode of alpha-conotoxins to an acetylcholine binding protein determined by saturation transfer difference NMR. Protein And Peptide Letters, 15 (9), 910-914. doi: 10.2174/092986608785849335

Binding mode of alpha-conotoxins to an acetylcholine binding protein determined by saturation transfer difference NMR

2008

Journal Article

The three-dimensional structure of the analgesic alpha-conotoxin, RgIA

Clark, Richard J., Daly, Norelle L., Halai, Reena, Nevin, Simon T., Adams, David J. and Craik, David J. (2008). The three-dimensional structure of the analgesic alpha-conotoxin, RgIA. FEBS Letters, 582 (5), 597-602. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.01.027

The three-dimensional structure of the analgesic alpha-conotoxin, RgIA

2008

Journal Article

The alpine violet, Viola biflora, is a rich source of cyclotides with potent cytotoxicity

Herrman, Anders, Burman, Robert, Mylne, Joshua S., Karlsson, Gustav, Gullbo, Joachim, Craik, David J., Clark, Richard J. and Goransson, Ulf (2008). The alpine violet, Viola biflora, is a rich source of cyclotides with potent cytotoxicity. Phytochemistry, 69 (4), 939-952. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.10.023

The alpine violet, Viola biflora, is a rich source of cyclotides with potent cytotoxicity

2008

Conference Publication

Structural Aspects of Hepcidin-Ferroportin Binding

Preza, G, Fernandes, A, Clark, RJ, Craik, DJ, Ganz, T and Nemeth, E (2008). Structural Aspects of Hepcidin-Ferroportin Binding. 50th Annual Meeting of the American- Society-of-Hematology, San Francisco Ca, Dec 06-09, 2008. WASHINGTON: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.

Structural Aspects of Hepcidin-Ferroportin Binding

2008

Journal Article

Cyclotides and conotoxins ultra-stable disulfide-rich peptides

Craik, David J., Clark, Richard J. and Daly, Norelle L. (2008). Cyclotides and conotoxins ultra-stable disulfide-rich peptides. Chimica Oggi -Chemistry Today, 26 (4), 20-22.

Cyclotides and conotoxins ultra-stable disulfide-rich peptides

2008

Conference Publication

Understanding the structure/activity relationships of hepcidin

Clark, Richard, Tan, Chia Chia, Nemeth, Elizabeta, Ganz, Thomas and Craik, David (2008). Understanding the structure/activity relationships of hepcidin. 30th European Peptide Symposium (30EPS), Helsinki, Finland, 31 August – 5 September 2008. United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.. doi: 10.1002/psc.1090

Understanding the structure/activity relationships of hepcidin

2008

Book Chapter

Structure-based Drug Design and NMR-based screening

Craik, D. J. and Clark, R. J. (2008). Structure-based Drug Design and NMR-based screening. Pharmacology from drug development to gene therapy. (pp. 225-313) edited by R. A. Meyers. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag GMBH & Co.

Structure-based Drug Design and NMR-based screening

2008

Journal Article

Utlra-stable peptide scaffolds for protein engineering synthesis and folding of the circular cystine knotted cyclotide cycloviolacin O2

Aboye, T, Clark, Richard J., Craik, David J. and Goransson, U (2008). Utlra-stable peptide scaffolds for protein engineering synthesis and folding of the circular cystine knotted cyclotide cycloviolacin O2. ChemBioChem, 9 (1), 103-113. doi: 10.1002/cbic.200700357

Utlra-stable peptide scaffolds for protein engineering synthesis and folding of the circular cystine knotted cyclotide cycloviolacin O2

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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