1. Dr. Alfio Comis
CEO and Managing Scientist
AusMAb Pty Ltd.
(Australian Monoclonal Antibodies)
Mobile Phone: +61 (0)431 467 303
Email: ausmab@monoclonalantibodies.com.au
Website: www.monoclonalantibodies.com.au
Education:
 B.Sc., University of New South Wales, Science, 1980
 Hons, University of New South Wales, Biochemistry, 1981
 Ph.D., University of Sydney, Biochemistry, 1988
Professional Experience:
 2011-current, AusMAb Pty Ltd, CEO and Managing Scientist
 2007-2011, SA Pathology, MAbSA Technologies, Managing Scientist
 2005-2007, Adelaide University, MAbSA Technologies, Managing Scientist
 2003-2005, Research Fellow, Adelaide University, Australian Centre for Plant Functional
Genomics
 2001-2003, Associate Professor, Cornell University, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Crop &
Soils Sciences, Biochemistry
 1997-2000, Tenured Faculty Member, University of Western Sydney, Science and Technology,
Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research
 1995-1997, NH&MRC Senior Research Officer, University of New South Wales, Faculty of
Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology
 1990-1995, Senior Research Scientist, Deakin Research Ltd.
 1988-1990, NH & MRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Deakin University, Biological Sciences
 1986-1988, NH & MRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Macquarie University, Environmental
and Life Sciences, Chemistry
 1885, Postdoctoral Position, University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, Physiology
and Pharmacology
Teaching positions:
 1981: Biochemistry – University of NSW
 1983-1985: Biochemistry – School of Biochemistry – University of Sydney
 1995-97: Pharmacology – Faculty of Medicine - Physiology and Pharmacology – University of
NSW

2.  1997-2000 – Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology – School of Science and Technology,
University of Western Sydney
 2002-2003 – Genetically Modified Organisms – Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School
of Crop & Soil Sciences – Cornell University, USA
Graduate and postgraduate students:
3 PhD students
4 Masters students
3 Honours students
Teaching focus:
My teaching uses three key concepts. The main one is that students learn best when they are
encouraged and expected to take responsibility for their own learning within a guided framework.
Also, I believe that student’s progress better in their learning when they are fully engaged in the
teaching/learning process themselves, rather than being spoon-fed the various principles of knowledge
required. In addition, I believe that integrating current research into teaching is a critical component of
the teaching/learning process and is essential to train students in concepts at the cutting edge of
science. I have always used these concepts in my ‘hand-on’ approach to teaching. Lastly, I am always
looking to continuing my own development as an educator, for example making the best use possible
of electronic resources for students.
Expertise and Research Interests:
I am a protein biochemist and I have been involved in all facets of protein research, from biochemistry
to immunology, pharmacology, physiology and toxicology. One of my success stories was to stabilize
the toxin from the tentacles of box jellyfish in order to allow its manipulation during purification
procedures without loss of activity, in collaboration with Dr. Bob Hartwick from James Cook
University. But my best outcome was achieved with my work with retro-inverso-peptides where I
managed to produce very effective oral peptide vaccines using D-amino acids synthesized in reverse
order. This resulted in a patent that was sold to Bioclones Pty Ltd. (a South African multinational
company).
My special expertise is in hybridoma technology. I have had 20 years experience in producing specific
monoclonal antibody-secreting hybridoma to any protein, peptide, polysaccharide and even small
organic molecules. I have also set up 7 separate monoclonal antibody facilities at different Universities
and private companies in Australia and the USA.
I was until recently the CEO and Managing Scientist of AusMAb. The company specialised in custom
monoclonal antibody service. We produced new hybridoma cell lines, as well as affinity-purified
monoclonal antibodies from existing cell lines.

3. We also had a number of in-house research projects to develop diagnostic kits to a number of diseased
states using our own monoclonal antibodies to specific marker proteins identified in our laboratory.
Funding:
 Australian Research Council: Antisense peptides. A novel approach to receptor
structure/function., AU$10,997, from Jan 1, 1996 to Dec 31, 1996
 Academic Development Fund: Integrating Web-based Chemistry and Biochemistry Teaching
with the Hawkesbury Shell. AU$ 19,970; 1998
 Australian Research Council: Monoclonal antibodies to tachykinin receptors., AU$11,735,
from Jan 1, 1999 to Dec 31, 1999
 Australian Research Council: The effect of proline on the three-dimensional structure of retro-
inverso peptides., AU$14,000, from Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2000
 Australian Research Council: Symbiotic implications of type III protein secretions in rhizobia
bacteria., AU$13,453, from Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2000
 Australian APA Industry Scholarship: Synthesis of metabolically stable 'retro-inverso'
analogues of neurokinin A and assessment of their pharmacological activity in human bladder.,
AU$105,000, from Jan 1, 1997 to Dec 31, 2000
 American Department of Energy (DOE): Cold acclimation of verbacious species. US$24,927,
from 16 Nov 2001 to 15 Nov 2002
 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Impact of transgenic corn on the soil
microbial food web, US$30,000 from Feb 2002 to Nov 2004
 USDA-NRI: Biocontrol mechanism in Trichoderma harzianum. US$ 246,587 from 1 Jun 2002
to 31 May 2005
 BioInnovation SA: MAbSA Technology, AU$160,000, from 2005 to 2007
Since 2005, all the funding has been obtained through the commercial operation that has allowed me to
work on the isolation and characterization of diagnostic target proteins.
Publications:
Publications between 1990 and 1995, and since 2005, have been restricted because of commercial
interests not allowing publication of scientific results obtained during commercial operations.
 Li C., Distelfeld A., Comis A., Dubcovsky J. (2011) Wheat flowering repressor VRN2 and
promoter CO2 compete for interactions with NUCLEAR FACTOR-Y complex. – The Plant Journal
67 (5): 749-948
 Comis A., Tyler M, Mylecharane E., Spence I., Howden M. (2009) Immunization with a synthetic
robustoxin derivative lacking disulphide bridges protects against a potentially lethal challenge with
funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) venom – J. Biosci. 34(1): 35-44
 Fischer P., Comis A., Tyler M, Howden M. (2007) Oral and parental immunization with synthetic
retro-inverso peptides induce antibodies that cross-react with native peptides and parent antigens. –
Indian J. Biochem Biophys. 44 (3) 140-144

4.  Jacobs A.K., Lunde C., Juttner J., Comis A., Drew D., Plett D., Tester M. (2006) Functional
analysis of a sodium transport gene expressed in model and crop species, - Proceedings of the Plant
& Animal Genomes XIV Conference, January 14-18, 2006
 Malone J., Comis A., Oldach K. (2006) Analysis of signal pathway protein-protein interactions
during biotic and abiotic stress, XV Congress of the FESPB, Federation of European Societes of
plant Biology, Published
 Dolman F., Juttner J., Baumann U., Comis A., Shirley N., Langridge P. (2005) Plant cytosolic
Thioredoxin expression and protein-protein interactions in Hordeum vulgare reproductive tissues,
ComBio 2005, Published
 Malone J, Shirley N., Comis A., Langridge P., Oldach K. (2005) Analysis of signal pathway
protein-protein interactions during biotic and abiotic stress, ComBio 2005, Published
 Comis A., Malone J., Oldach K. (2005) 14-3-3 affinity purification of phosphoproteins in barley
during biotic and abiotic stress, 30th Annual Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Function,
Published
 Oldach K., Comis A. (2005) Screening for differentially-expressed proteins in the host-pathogen
interaction between barley and the fungus Rhinchosporium secalis, 10th Lorne Proteomics
Symposium
 Chen J.I.E., Harman G.E., Comis A., Cheng G.-W. (2005) Proteins related to the biocontrol of
Pythium damping-off in maize with Trichoderma harzianum Rifai. – J. Integr. Plant Biology,
47(8): 988-997
 Harman G.E., Comis A., Chen J.I.E. (2005) Proteins related to the biocontrol of Pythium damping-
off in maize with Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, J. Integrative Plant Biol. (Acta Botanica Sinica),
47(8)988-997
 Chen J.I.E, Harman G.E., Comis A., Wu C.G., Nan L.H. (2004) The change of Maize plant
proteome affected by Trichoderma harzianum and Pythium ultimum (I); Acta Phytopathologica
Sinica (2004) 4: 319-328
 Juttner J., Comis A., Dolman F., Langridge P., Baumann U. (2004) Molecular characterization and
stress-responsive expression of the thioredoxin h family in the grasses, 1st Annual ACPFG
Research Symposium: Genomics in the Barossa, Published
 Chen J.I.E, Harman G.E., Comis A. (2004) Proteomics related to the biocontrol of Pythium
damping off in maize with trichoderma harzianum, J. ZheJiang University (Agriculture & Life
Sciences, 30(4): 441, Published
 Chen J.I.E., Comis A., Harman G.E. (2004) Effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Pythium
ultimum on the function of maize plant and its proteome, XVth International Plant Protection
Congress, Published
 Harman G.E., Petzoldt R., Comis A., Chen J.I.E. (2004) Interactions between Trichoderma
harzianum strain T22 and maize inbred line Mo17 and effects of this interaction on diseases caused
by Pythium ultimum and Colletotrichum graminicola, Phytopathology, 94(2): 147-153, February
2004
 Emmanuel C., Foo E., Medbury H.J., Matthews J., Comis A., Zoellner H. (2002) Synergistic
induction of apoptosis in human endothelial cells by tumour necrosis factor-alpha and transforming
growth factor-beta, Cytokine, 18(5):237-241, 7 Jun 2002
 Warner F.J., Mack P., Comis A., Miller R.C., Burcher E. (2001) Structure-activity relationships of
neurokinin A (4-10) at the human tachykinin NK2 receptor: the role of natural residues and their
chirality, Biochemical Pharmacology, 61(1):55-60, 01

5.  Liu L., Shang F., Perry M.A., Comis A.,Burcher E. (2000) Bufokinin: Immunoreactivity, receptor
localization and actions in toad intestine and mesenteric circulation, Peptides, 21(9):1345-1354, 09
 Liu L., Shang F., Comis A., Burcher E. (2000) Bufokinin: actions and distribution in the toad
cardiovascular system, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 27(11):911-916,
11
 Chapman T., Medbury H., Comis A., Zoellner H. (1999) Polar nuclear labeling of DNA by
bromodeoxyuridine, Aust. Soc. Med. Res. 38th National Meeting, Published
 Matuszek M.A., Comis A., Burcher E.(1999) Binding and functional potency of neurokinin A
analogs in the rat fundus. A sytructure-activity study, Pharmacology, 58(5):227-235, 05
 McGlasson WB, Holford P, Comis A, Abdi N. (1999) Fruit maturity, new and practical methods
for objective measurement, Annual Technical Update for the Summer Fruit Industry of Western
Australia
 McGlasson B., Holford P., Comis A., Abdi N. (1999) A new reliable maturity index for stone fruit,
Australian Fresh Stone Fruit Quarterly, 115-16
 Comis A., Burcher E. (1999) Structure-activity studies at the rat tachykinin NK2 receptor: effect of
substitution at position 5 of neurokinin A, Journal of Peptide Research, 53(3)337-342
 Warner F.J., Comis A., Miller R.C., Burcher E. (1999) Characterization of the [125I]-neurokinin A
binding site in the circular muscle of human colon, British Journal of Pharmacology, 127(5)1105-
1110
 Liu L., Shang F., Comis A., Burcher E. (1999) Bufokinin: Actions and Distribution in the toad
cardiovascular system. – Proc. Australian Physiol. Pharmacol. Soc. Symposium: Tachykinins: The
challenge continues (Sep 19999)
 Burcher E., Markus I., Shang F., Comis A. (1998) Actions of tachykinins and neurotensin and
tachykinin-like immunoreactivity in human colon, Annual Meeting American Gastroenterology
Society, Published
 Burcher E., Markus I., Shang F., Comis A., Lubowski D.Z. (1998) Actions of tachykinins and
neurotensin and tachykinin-like immunoreactivity in human colon, Gastroenterology,
114(4):G3010, 15 Apr 1998
 Burcher E., Shang F., Markus I., Lubowski D.Z., Comis A. (1998) Neurokinin A and substance P-
like immunoreactivity in muscle, mucosa and ganglia of human colon, Australian Neuroscience
Society, Published
 Matuszek M.A., Comis A., Burcher A. (1997) Smooth muscle, neurons and interstitial cells of
guinea-pig ileum: are there tachykinin NK-1 receptor subtypes?, Tachykinin in Health and Disease,
Published
 Pearson J.A., Barnett D., Comis A., Connor M., Harrison B.M., Lloyd D.R., Nicholson G.M.,
Nicholson P., Retson K.V., Spence I., Tyler M.I., Wilson H.I., Howden M.E.H. (1997) Protein
toxins and their use in cell biology, In: Protein toxins and their use in cell biology. Editors:
Rappuoli R., Montecucco C.228-231
 Matuszek M.A., Comis A., Burcher E. (1997) Muscle, neuronal and cellular regions of guinea-pig
ileum: are there tachykinin receptor subtypes? - Proc. Aust. Soc. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Toxicol,
Published
 Comis A., Burcher E. (1996) Binding to the NK2 receptor by an antibody to an antisense substance
P, Second Australian Peptide Meeting, Published

6.  Comis A., Tyler M.I., Vonarx E.J., Atkinson R.K., Mylecharane E.J., Spence I., Howden M.E.H.
(1995) Synthetic approaches to spider venom peptide toxins, Abstracts of papers of the American
Chemical Society, 20928, 2 Apr 1995
 Comis A., Tyler M.I., Vonarx E.J., Atkinson R.K., Mylecharane E.J., Spence I, Wilson H.I.,
Howden M.E.H. (1995) Synthetic approaches to spider venom peptide toxins, Abstracts of Papers
of the American Chemical Society, Published
 Collins S.P., Comis A., Tyler M.I., Marshall M., Howden M.E.H. (1995) Evidence for a high
molecular weight pre-robustoxin molecule in the venom of the male Sydney funnel-web spider
(Atrax robustus), Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 110C89-93
 Collins S.P., Comis A., Marshall M., Hartwick R.F., Howden M.E.H. (1993) Monoclonal
antibodies neutralizing the haemolytic activity of box jellyfish (Chironex fleckerii) tentacle
extracts, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 106B67-70
 Mylecharane, E.J., Spence, I., Comis, A., Tyler I, M. and Howden, M.E.H. (1992)
Immunization with a synthetic robustoxin derivative lacking disulphide bridges protects
anaesthetized monkeys against potentially lethal challenge with male funnel-web spider (Atrax
robustus) venom. In P. Gopalakrishnakone and C.K. Tan (eds): Recent Advances in Toxinology
Research 2. Singapore: National University of Singapore, pp. 163-168
 Nicholson, G.M, Spence I, Comis A, Tyler M. Howden M.E.H (1991) Funnel-web spider toxins.
In: Toxins and Targets, Waters D, Lavin M, McGuire D, Pearn J eds, Harwood Academic
Publishers, Melbourne, 97-102
 Sheumack D.D., Comis A., Claassens R., Milecharane E.J., Spence I., Howden M.E.H. (1991) An
endogenous antitoxin to the lethal venom of the funnel web spider, Atrax robustus, in rabbit sera,
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 99C157-161
 Sheumack D.D., Phillips C.A., Mylecharane E.J., Spence I., Claassens R., Brown M.R., Comis A.,
Howden M.E.H. (1991) Protection of monkeys against the lethal effects of male funnel-web spider
(Atrax robustus) venom by immunization with a toxoid, Toxicon, 29603-611
 Comis A., Hartwick R.F., Howden M.E.H. (1989) Stabilization of lethal and haemolytic activities
of box jellyfish (Chirones fleckerii) venom, Toxicon, 27439-447
 Fischer P.M., Comis A., Howden M.E.H. (1989) Direct immunisation with synthetic peptidyl-
polyamide resin. Comparison with antibody production from free peptide and conjugates with
carrier protein, Journal of Immunological Methods, 119118-123
 Holland R.A.B., Rimes A.F., Comis A., Tyndale-Biscoe C.H. (1988) Oxygen carriage and
carbonic anhydrase activity in the blood of a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)
during early development, Respiratory Physiology, 7369-86
 Comis A., Tyler M.I., Mylecharane E.J. Spence I., Sheumack D.D., Howden M.E.H.,
Immunochemistry of funnel-web spider venoms, Proceedings of the Sydney Allergen Group, 637-
48, 1988
 Holland R.A.B., Comis A., Carbonic anhydrase activity in the blood of adult sheep and lambs,
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 86673-678, 1987
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., Binding of complement component C1q by spectrin,
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 870426-431, 1986
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., Inhibition of serum complement haemolytic activity by lipid
vesicles containing phosphatidylserine, FEBS Letters, 197321-326, 1986
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., Binding of complement component C1q by rat adipocyte
membranes, Molecular Immunology, 22857-861, 1985

7.  Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., C1q binding to mitochondria: a possible artefact?, FEBS
Letters, 185105-108, 1985
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., Evidence for arginine residues in the immunoglobulin-binding
site of human C1q, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 84245-51, 1985
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., Chemical modification of arginyl residues in human C1q,
Proceedings of the Australian Biochemical Society, 1619, 1984
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B. (1984) Chemical modification of arginyl residues in human
C1q, Proc. Australian Biochem. Soc., Published
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B., Modification of rabbit IgG with fluorescein isothiocyanate,
Proceedings of the Australian Biochemical Society, 1525, 1983
 Comis A., Easterbrook-Smith S.B. (1983) Modification of rabbit IgG with fluorescein
isothiocyanate, Proc. Australian Biochem. Soc., Published
Patent Information:
 Jacobs A., Lunde C., Juttner J., Comis A. Tester M.A.; Vascular plants expressing Na+ pump
ATPase; Wipo Patent WO/2006/037189 (2006)
 Comis A., Fischer P., Tyler M.I.; Retro- inverso-, and retro-inverso peptide analogs. European
Patent # 0667786. Issued Date: 21/01/2004
 Comis A., Tyler M.I., Fischer P.; Retro-, inverso-, and retro-inverso peptide analogs and their use
as antigens., United States of America, 6261569 B1, 17 July 2001, Industry-owned
 Comis A., Tyler M.I., Fischer P.; Synthetic inverso or retro-inverso t-cell epitopes. Deakin
Research, August 1995: WO 1995/023166
 Comis A., Fischer P., Tyler M.I.; Retro-, inverso-, and retro-inverso peptide analogs. Deakin
Research March 1994: WO 1994/005311
Membership Information:
 Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
 Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research
 Crop Science Society of America
 Sydney Protein Group
 Sydney Peptide Group
Organizational skills:
 Co-organiser of 1996 and 1997 Sydney Peptide Group Scientific Meetings
 While at the University of Western Sydney, I designed, implemented and/or coordinated a number
of new subjects for the Biomolecular School (including all the laboratory classes): Advanced
Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Biomedical Sciences
 While at Cornell University, I designed and delivered a new postgraduate course: Environmental
Impact of Genetically Modifies Organisms.

8. Expertise:
Hybridoma technology
Immunodiagnostics
Plant Proteomics
Two dimensional electrophoresis
Receptor-ligand binding studies
Animal toxin isolation and characterization
Industrial Relevance:
For three years, I was in charge of the research conducted by Deakin Research, a small Australian
Biotechnology Company working on the development of synthetic vaccines and diagnostic kits. This
work resulted in a patent to produce oral, enzymatically-stable, retro-inverso immunogens.
From 2005 to 2011, I was employed to set up and lead MAbSA, a monoclonal antibody commercial
venture between the University of Adelaide and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences
(IMVS).
Currently, I am the CEO and Managing Scientist of AusMAb, focussing on the production of
hybridoma cell lines and their products, as well as their use and commercialization in diagnostic kits
and research tools.
Language Skills:
English: Reading fluent, Writing fluent, Speaking fluent
Italian: Reading fluent, Writing fluent, Speaking fluent