Rate My Professor Brendan Wilkinson

Wilkinson’s research operates at the interface of chemistry, biology, and physics, with specializations in carbohydrate biomaterials such as 1D glycopeptide materials and glycodendrimers; organic synthesis and functional supramolecular materials including carbohydrate surfactants from biomass and cyclodextrin mimics for drug delivery; and bioorganic and medicinal chemistry encompassing carbohydrate-based cryoprotectants, glycolipid chemical biology, and glycopeptide immunotherapeutics. Current projects include rational development of cryoprotectants from natural sugars, mucin-polymer conjugates as cancer vaccines, and 1D supramolecular dye stacks for drug delivery and ice growth inhibition. He collaborates with prominent researchers including Prof. Robert Ben (University of Ottawa), Prof. Gary Bryant (RMIT University), Prof. Charl Faul (University of Bristol), and Prof. Vipul Bansal (RMIT). Key publications include “The Need for Novel Cryoprotectants and Cryopreservation Protocols: Insights into the Importance of Biophysical Investigation and Cell Permeability” (Biochim. Biophys. Acta Gen. Subj., 2020, with S.J. Bryant et al.); “n-Octyl (Thio)glycosides as Potential Cryoprotectants” (Aust. J. Chem., 2019); “1D Self-Assembly and Ice Recrystallization Inhibition Activity of Antifreeze Glycopeptide-Functionalized Perylene Bisimides” (Chem. Eur. J., 2018); “Bis-Aryl Triazole Trehalolipids are Mincle Agonists” (ACS Med. Chem. Lett., 2024); and contributions to Australian Patent 2010905492 for glycopeptide cancer vaccine candidates (2011). Awards include the ARC DECRA (2013) and RACI Athel Beckwith Lectureship (2017). He teaches organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry.