Dr Peter Duggan: designing and synthesising low molecular weight bioactive compounds

Dr Peter Duggan’s research focuses on optimising the biological activity of low molecular weight compounds to produce new therapeutic leads and early intervention agents.

• 25 January 2008 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities

Dr Peter Duggan is Research Group Leader – Functional Small Molecules.

Part of his current research involves the design and synthesis of low molecular weight compounds that mimic the function of biologically active peptides.

Many peptides have been identified to have beneficial biological properties, however their application is limited because of their high water solubility and susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. 

There is much interest in developing low molecular weight organic compounds that mimic the biological properties of peptides but are less water soluble and more resistant to degradation. 

An example of this approach is the Conotoxin Mimics project in the Australian Biotech Growth Partnerships Theme, undertaken in partnership with:

• Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• the Australian Biotech company, Neurodisovery.

Conotoxins are found in the venom of marine cone snails. 

Omega-conotoxin GVIA in particular has potent non-addictive analgesic properties.

A related peptide, Ziconotide or Prialt, has reached the clinic for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain where morphine-based therapeutics are not effective. 

However, the mode of delivery (intrathecal) and side effects associated with this peptide drug has encouraged researchers to try to find low molecular weight compounds with similar therapeutic effects but with better pharmokinetic properties.

Dr Duggan’s group has been preparing low molecular weight mimics of omega-conotoxin GVIA in partnership with Neurodiscovery and Monash University.

Dr Duggan has recently begun a project in the Preventative Health Flagship aimed at producing small molecules that interrupt fibril formation in Alzheimer’s disease.

Background

Dr Duggan moved to CSIRO in 2004 after a decade as a teaching and research academic in university chemistry departments, initially at James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, then at Monash University, where he was Senior Lecturer.

Academic qualifications

Dr Duggan has been awarded a:

• Bachelor of Science with Honours in 1985
• Doctor of Philosophy in 1990.

Achievements

Dr Duggan has co-authored 60 research articles.

He also:

• is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)
• was Chair of the Organising Committee 19th RACI Organic Conference 2003.

Find out more about the work of Preventative Health Flagship.