The Group's major research focus is the quest for novel bioactive compounds in and the proteomics of frog skin secretions. Molecules of interest include those displaying anti-microbial, anti-cancer, vasoactive, insecticidal or anthelmintic properties. Following establishment of biological function, structural elucidation is carried out using various state-of-the-art mass spectrometric techniques (LCQ ion trap, MALDI-TOF, Q-TOF), automated Edman degradation (where appropriate) and NMR. Facilities are available for chemical synthesis and analog design.

Venoms from a large range of scorpions and snakes, such as that from the Gaboon viper, Bitis gabonica (left), are also being investigated using the same strategy.

PROJECTS

28th May 2007 Just accepted for publication in Peptides is our second paper on the skin secretions of Phyllomedusa hypochondriails azurea. Here novel antimicrobial peptides from this specimen were identified by QToF MS/MS de novo sequencing and cDNA cloning along with bioactivity assays. This work was done by Alan Thompson during his doctoral studies. Supervisors McClean, Bjourson and Shaw. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2007.01.001

1st April 2007 Appearing in the April 2007 (Issue 4) issue of Peptides is our paper 'Bradykinin-related peptides, including a novel structural variant, (Val1)-bradykinin, from the skin secretion of Guenther's frog, Hylarana guentheri and their molecular precursors.' Here novel antimicrobial peptides from this specimen were identified by QToF MS/MS de novo sequencing and cDNA cloning along with bioactivity assays. This work was done by Jianwu Zhou during his doctoral studies. Supervisors Bjourson, McClean and Shaw. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2007.01.014

30th December 2006 Appearing in today's issue of Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry is our first paper on the skin secretions of Phyllomedusa hypochondriails azurea. Here novel bradykinin-related peptides from this specimen were identified by QToF MS/MS de novo sequencing and cDNA cloning. This work was done by Alan Thompson during his doctoral studies. Supervisors McClean, Bjourson and Shaw. doi:10.1002/rcm.2791

12th December 2006 Appearing in the December 2006 issue of Peptides is our paper 'Purification and characterization of novel antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretion of Hylarana guentheri.' Here novel antimicrobial peptides from this specimen were identified by QToF MS/MS de novo sequencing and cDNA cloning along with bioactivity assays. This work was done by Jianwu Zhou during his doctoral studies. This paper appeared in the 'Top 25' most dowloaded papers in Peptides for October - December 2006. Supervisors Bjourson, McClean and Shaw. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2006.08.007