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Dr Hendra Gunosewoyo

Senior Lecturer
Curtin Medical School

Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Dr Hendra Gunosewoyo is a Senior Lecturer in the Curtin Medical School. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biotechnology with First Class Honours and received the University Medal from the University of Sydney. He went on to earn his PhD in Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Michael Kassiou and Associate Professor Mark Coster. Following his doctoral studies, Dr Gunosewoyo undertook research in the United States with Professor Alan Kozikowski at the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. He returned to Australia in 2014 to join Curtin University as a Lecturer in the former School of Pharmacy. His research achievements have been recognised through competitive funding, including an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship from 2016 to 2018. Most recently, he secured a KONEKSI grant, supporting collaborative research with Indonesian partners from 2025 to 2027. Dr Gunosewoyo maintains a strong commitment to teaching and research, with interests spanning medicinal chemistry, drug discovery and collaborative scientific partnerships.  

About

Dr Hendra Gunosewoyo is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biotechnology with First Class Honours and the University Medal from the University of Sydney between 2002 and 2005.


After completing a PhD in Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry in early 2010, under the supervision of Professor Michael Kassiou and Associate Professor Mark Coster, he worked with Professor Alan Kozikowski in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.


In 2014, he took up a lecturer position in the former School of Pharmacy at Curtin University.

  • Member of Society for Neuroscience (2012-)
  • Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (2005–)
  • Journal Reviewer (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ChemMedChem, Medicinal Chemistry Communications 2013-)
  • ARC DECRA (2016–2018)
  • Australian Postgraduate Award (2006–2009)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Postgraduate Scholarship (2006–2009)
  • John A. Lamberton Scholarship (Univ. of Sydney, 2006–2009) for: Research Aimed at the Chemical Understanding of Brain Function and Malfunction
  • George Harris Scholarship (Univ. of Sydney, 2008) for: Contribution to the Research and Teaching Activities in School of Chemistry
  • Agnes Campbell Prize (Univ. of Sydney, 2006–2009) for: Excellence in Organic Chemistry
  • Univ. of Sydney Medal (2006) for: Excellence in Academic Performance

Email: Hendra.Gunosewoyo@curtin.edu.au
Tel: +61 (08) 9266 2769
ORCID:
Curtin Staff Profile

 

Research Focus

Dr Hendra Gunosewoyo's research focuses on the design and development of small molecule inhibitors and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) aimed at drug targets involved in brain cancer and other central nervous system conditions. This work includes engineering molecules that can be functionally tagged, either with an E3 ligase for PROTAC applications or with a fluorophore to generate fluorescent probes. In addition, the group is actively pursuing the design and discovery of antimycobacterial agents based on an indoleamide scaffold.

 

Research Team

Neve Kerwick

PhD Student

Liam Engelbrecht

PhD Student

Dylan Palmer

PhD Student

Jordan Campbell

PhD Student

Jake Kitin

PhD Student

Flynn Thompson

Honours Student

Zara Johnson

Honours Student

Publications

ABSTRACT:

Glycation of Human Serum Albumin (HSA) presents a significant challenge, disrupting its structural integrity and functional capacity, and contributing to complications in chronic metabolic diseases like diabetes mellitus. The glycated form (gHSA) is particularly concerning due to its increased flexibility and reduced stability. In this study, we explore the potential of astaxanthin-Zn2+ complexes as molecular stabilizers that can help restore the structure of gHSA. Using a comprehensive in silico approach, we applied various techniques, including molecular docking, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, and analyses of energy landscapes and residue interactions. Our findings show that the astaxanthin-Zn2+ complex at a 3:1 M ratio significantly stabilizes gHSA, leading to improved energy landscapes and more cohesive interactions. This research not only highlights the powerful synergy between astaxanthin and Zn2+ but also opens exciting possibilities for developing new therapeutic strategies to tackle the challenges posed by glycation in diabetes.

Fitrianita, A., N. Abiyyu, B. Juliandi, A. Sabarudin, T. R. Nuringtyas, H. Gunosewoyo, S. Wibowo, and R. A. Syahputra., Astaxanthin–Zn2+ complexes and glycated human serum albumin: A molecular mechanism study for protein integrity in diabetes mellitus. Results in Chemistry 22 Inpress.
ABSTRACT:

An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis route for novel oxazolidinone analogues has been developed. The general synthesis of these compounds began with an L-proline-mediated three-component Mannich reaction between commercially available 3-fluoro-4-morpholinoaniline, aqueous formaldehyde and α-hydroxyacetone. This was followed by a one-step cyclisation to form the core structure of oxazolidinone antibiotics which was subsequently derivatized. The novel compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against M. smegmatis. One of the novel oxazolidinone derivatives 18 a1 produced a MIC of 8 mg/L, comparable with the commercial Rifampicin. The methodology is a useful addition to the field since it can make highly sought-after oxazolidinone derivatives, using cheaper, less harsh commercially available reagents, in a short time and one pot.

Els, S. P., K. B. Govender, M. K. Sokhela, N. Bhatt, N. Reddy, H. G. Kruger, P. I. Arvidsson, H. Gunosewoyo, T. Govender, and T. Naicker. 2025. Facile Synthesis of Oxazolidinones as Potential Antibacterial Agents. Chemistryopen 14 (7)

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