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- Member, Advisory BoardInstitute for Molecular Bioscience
- NHMRC Leadership Fellow - GL & Director of TrainingInstitute for Molecular Bioscience
Lewis Group
Group Leader
Professor Richard Lewis
Professorial Research Fellow - GLInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:Professor Lewis started working on toxins during his PhD studies at the University of Queensland, where he researched the nature and pharmacology of ciguatoxins responsible for ciguatera fish poisoning. After 10 years with the Queensland Department of Primary Industry following this line of research, he moved back to The University of Queensland to initiate research into the phamacology of conotoxins, small venom peptides produced by carnivorous cone snails. This research led to the isolation and characterisation of several new classes of conotoxins, including two (w-CVID and Xen2174) that were developed clinically. His current research focusses on the discovery, evolution and structure-function of venom peptides, especially those with potential for the treatment of difficult to manage pain.
Body:Highlights
A fascination for chemistry, marine biology and zoology led Professor Richard Lewis to become expert in analyzing and characterizing venoms. He is best known for using mass spectroscopy and novel bioassays to characterise conotoxins, which are small venom peptides from predatory marine snails, and using molecular pharmacology to enhance molecules for drug development.
The focus of Professor Lewis’s research is discovering and developing new treatments for chronic pain. Several conotoxins discovered by his research team have been taken into the clinic, including Xen2174 for severe pain.
The potential to change people’s lives is a key motivator for Professor Lewis. By making discoveries on the scientific frontier, he hopes to change the landscape for further research, and whenever possible help deliver better treatments for chronic pain sufferers.
Professor Lewis is Director of IMB’s Centre for Pain Research, and leader of a Program Grant in Pain Research from the NHMRC.
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Researchers
Dr Himaya Siddhihalu Wickrama Hewage
Adjunct Research FellowInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:I am a biochemist with a passion for exploring venom chemistry to develop medicinal tools. My main research focus is on the complex venom systems to elucidate structure-function of venom peptides for medicinal and biotechnological use. I have developed multidisciplinary state-of-the art approaches using proteo-genomics, pharmacology and behavioural studies to rapidly investigate venoms. This rational and systematic approch is used to unravel therapeutically valuable venom peptides while understanding the chemical evolution and origins of venom. Currently I am a lead scientist of the cone snail venom research program at IMB. I am deciphering new mechanisms of conotoxin diversification from ancestral species to relatively new lineages to establish evolutionary trajectories of venoms while investigating the structure and function of these highly optimised venom components as potential leads for treatment of pain.
Mr Yashad Dongol
Casual Senior Research AssistantInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Dr Lotten Ragnarsson
Senior Research OfficerInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Mr Md. Mahadhi Hasan
Adjunct Associate Lecturer/FellowInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Students
- Higher degree by research (PhD/MD) studentInstitute for Molecular Bioscience
- Higher degree by research (PhD) studentInstitute for Molecular Bioscience
- Senior Research FellowInstitute for Molecular Bioscience
- ProfessorDepartment of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines (USA)
- Masters StudentInstitute for Molecular Bioscience
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