Novel cysteine-rich conotoxin frameworks from Australian cone snails

Abstract:: The project aims to dramatically increase both the discovery of novel conotoxin cysteine rich frameworks through integrated transcriptomics and proteomics (venomics), conotoxin synthesis and 3D structure determination and generate conotoxin disulfide bond mimetics and conotoxin dendrimers to increase stability, potency and selectivity. Our recent venomics platforms will accelerate conotoxin framework discovery while novel mimetics and dendrimeric constructs will improve their biophysical properties. This will increase our knowledge base and contribute to high value biotechnology industries in Australia. The major outcomes include a vast expansion of novel conotoxin sequences and novel frameworks to generate lead molecules for development.
Grant type:: ARC Discovery Projects
Funded by:: Australian Research Council

The University of Queensland