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Dr Anna Lohning

Associate Professor

Level 4, Building 5, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University

Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

Centre for Urology Research

Professional biography

Dr Lohning’s research background encompasses both analytical chemistry as well as structural biology including modelling of protein-ligand interactions for drug design using a range of molecular modelling techniques. In particular, she has conducted investigations into mechanisms of action of natural compounds, anti-cancer and using novel strategies to combat bacterial infections such as design of anti-adhesives. Other emerging areas of interest include gut microbiome and its impact on health and disease, She has considerable experience in theoretical chemistry and molecular modelling techniques (molecular dynamics simulations etc) which have facilitated a number of recent multi-disciplinary, international and national collaborations. Appointed to an Academic Post at Bond University in 2007 she was appointed Bond University's PI in a joint venture evaluating illicit drugs in wastewater as part of a NIRAP/QLD Smart State Grant to the value of $135,000. Dr Lohning is a member of the Centre for Urology Research, led by Prof. Russ Chess-Williams as well as the Bond University Human Research Ethics and Biosafety Committees. Dr Lohning’s research on ‘ginger as an antiemetic’ has led to further involvement with the clinical SPICE Trial (an NHMRC-funded clinical trial led by Prof. Liz Isenring at Bond University). This work further led to an international collaborations with researchers from Japan and Switzerland in the area of Diabetes research as well as a number of national collaborations. She was awarded Institutional Research Seeding & equipment Grants valued over $25,000) and has over 450 citations from 15 publications in high quality peer-reviewed journals. As of 2018, Dr Lohning currently supervises 3 PhD students while also co-coordinator for the Honours program in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine.

Research interests

My reasearch focusses on natural products therapeutics and biomolecular interactions and have spanned the gamut of methodologies from clinical trials, analyticial analyses to molecular level/computational studies. A wide array of biochemical skills and knowledge enable me to apply these to such a wide range of research projects and have underpinned many research collaborations (including national and international). 

Research projects include investigating

  • natural product therapeutics as anti-cancer/anti-inflammatory agents (ginger, wasabi)
  • design of anti-adhesive agents to combat bacterial infection using computational computing approaches 
  • impact of ginger on gut microbiome (mothur/R programming)
  • Design of a range of human trial studies
  • Anayltical instrumentation (HPLC/UV/MS) to quantify & identify components in biological, plant or supplement samples such as the analysis of ginger supplements and pre-workout supplements,

I have successfully supervised numerous PhD, Masters & Honours students as well as a number of Medical (MD) Student Research projects (Systematic Review - Effectiveness of Point of Care Testing in Primary Care)

International collaborations/associations Meijo University, Nagoya, Kapan, Griffith University (School of Pharmacy), Gold Coast, Centre for Urology Research at Bond University, Deakin Univeristy, Molecular Dynamics Group, School of Chemistry, University of Queensland.

Teaching expertise

Curriculum design & convening numerous subjects for the UG Biomedical/Forensic Science programs (esp Biochemistry & Chemistry). Introduced blended learning technologies (Molecular Modelling sessions.

Professional admissions

  • Royal Australian Chemical Institute - Member
  • Australasian Molecular Modellers Association - Member

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy Swinburne University of Technology
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Distinction) Double Major in Chemistry & Biochemistry Swinburne University of Technology

Fields of Research

  • Clinical sciences

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