A/Prof Patrick Schaeffer ~ Associate Professor

 Research Overview

 The study of macromolecular interactions

The group combines expertise in the functional and structural characterization of proteins and is particularly interested in the study of essential protein–ligand interactions. Proteins of interest to the group include: essential DNA replication proteins, transcription factors and metabolic enzymes of bacteria causing melioidosis and tuberculosis; and the nucleoproteins and replication proteins from influenza, Ebola and dengue viruses.

Drug discovery

This program is in full swing and builds on recent successes in the development of innovative high-throughput assays using the principle of high-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry of GFP-tagged proteins. The group is interested in the identification of drug leads and their mechanisms of action. Diseases of particular interest to the group include: dengue, melioidosis, Ebola and influenza.

Development of ultrasensitive immunodiagnostics

This program involves the discovery of new biomarkers and the development of innovative diagnostic platforms. The group’s successes include the development of the TT-lock Immuno-PCR platform and its application for the diagnosis of melioidosis as well as a sensitive assay to detect the presence of the influenza nucleoprotein. Diseases of particular interest to the group include malaria, dengue, melioidosis, Ebola and allergies.

Development of bio- and nanotechnologies

The group has a long-standing interest and track-record in developing innovative technologies with a focus on biomolecular recognition and self-assembly, and their applications.

Expertise

Protein Biochemistry; DNA replication; Protein-ligand interactions; Immuno-PCR diagnostics; Surface Plasmon Resonance; Protein unfolding and aggregation; Drug targets; High-throughput biotechnologies: GFP

Teaching

• BC2013: Principles of Biochemistry (Level 2; TSV)
• BC2023: Molecular Genetics (Level 2; TSV)
• BC3201: Bioengineering (Level 3; TSV)
• BC5201: Advanced Bioengineering (Level 5; TSV)

Research Disciplines

• Biochemistry and cell biology (3101)
• Medical biotechnology (3206)
• Analytical chemistry (3401)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Toft C, Bourquin R, Sorenson A, Horwood P, Druce J and Schaeffer P (2023) Analytical sensitivity of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests: A case for a robust reference standard. Talanta, 7.
• Toft C, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2022) A soft Tus-Ter interaction is hiding a fail-safe lock in the replication fork trap of Dickeya paradisiaca. Microbiological Research, 263.
• Toft C, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2022) Rise of the terminator protein tus: A versatile tool in the biotechnologist's toolbox. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1213.
• Toft C, Moreau M, Perutka J, Mandapati S, Enyeart P, Sorenson A, Ellington A and Schaeffer P (2021) Delineation of the ancestral tus-dependent replication fork trap. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (24).
• Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2020) A new bivalent fluorescent fusion protein for differential Cu(II) and Zn(II) ion detection in aqueous solution. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1101. pp. 120-128
• Johnston E, Kamath S, Iyer S, Pratap K, Karnaneedi S, Taki A, Nugraha R, Schaeffer P, Rolland J, O'Hehir R and Lopata A (2019) Defining specific allergens for improved component-resolved diagnosis of shrimp allergy in adults. Molecular Immunology, 112. pp. 330-337
• Askin S, Bond T, Sorenson A, Moreau M, Antony H, Davis R and Schaeffer P (2018) Selective protein unfolding: a universal mechanism of action for the development of irreversible inhibitors. Chemical Communications, 54 (14). pp. 1738-1741
• Razaghi A, Heimann K, Schaeffer P and Gibson S (2018) Negative regulators of cell death pathways in cancer: perspective on biomarkers and targeted therapies. Apoptosis, 23 (2). pp. 93-112
• Bond T, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2017) A green fluorescent protein-based assay for high-throughput ligand-binding studies of a mycobacterial biotin protein ligase. Microbiological Research, 205. pp. 35-39
• Bond T, Sorenson A and Schaeffer P (2017) Functional characterisation of Burkholderia pseudomallei biotin protein ligase: a toolkit for anti-melioidosis drug development. Microbiological Research, 199. pp. 40-48
• Kamath S, Johnston E, Iyer S, Schaeffer P, Koplin J, Allen K and Lopata A (2017) IgE reactivity to shrimp allergens in infants and their cross-reactivity to house dust mite. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 28 (7). pp. 703-707
• Askin S, Bond T and Schaeffer P (2016) Green fluorescent protein-based assays for high-throughput functional characterization and ligand-binding studies of biotin protein ligase. Analytical Methods, 8 (2). pp. 418-424

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Development of a Universal Rapid Diagnostic Test for Influenza A, B and SARS-COV-2 (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Development of a high-throughput HIV-1 integrase drug screening platform (Masters , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Synthesis of GFP-tagged fibrillin-2 to study the pathogenesis of congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) (Masters , Primary Advisor)
• Characterising the Burkholderia pseudomallei replisome for future melioidosis drug discovery (Masters , Primary Advisor)

Completed

• Novel targets and strategies in the treatment of liver and oral pharyngeal cancer (2021, Masters , Secondary Advisor)
• Defining the ancestral replication fork trap in Tus-dependent bacteria (2021, Masters , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Studies in the ecology and biocontrol of Burkholderia Pseudomallei (2019, PhD , Associate Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.