Prof Ethan Goddard, Lab Head | WEHI Researcher Profile

Q: The role of glycosylation in the transmission of malaria

Malaria remains one of the most significant problems in human health and represents a tremendous burden on the world’s poorest nations. The malaria parasites, and other apicomplexan parasites, rely on gliding motility to migrate through biological tissues and invade or emerge from host cells.We have recently discovered that a key component of the molecular machinery involved in gliding motility is modified with an unusual glycan that, in higher eukaryotes, is essential for correct protein trafficking.We are characterising this glycosylation pathway in collaboration with the Boddey laboratory at the institute, and developing chemical compounds that target it.

Q: Next-generation mucolytics to treat lung diseases

Asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPDs are characterised by the overproduction of mucus, which restricts the airways and makes it difficult for patients to breathe. Thinning this mucus to aid in its clearance, without completely ablating this protective coating of the epithelium, remains a challenging problem in the clinic.Mucin proteins, the principle component of mucus, form complex polymeric networks to impart mucus with it high viscosity. Disrupting these intermolecular interactions is an effective means of thinning mucus.We are collaborating with the Allan laboratory at the institute to develop a range of proteins that disrupt mucin-mucin interactions to treat diseases of the airways.

Q: Discovering new prebiotics to manage IBDs

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) affect around 1 per cent of the population in the western world. Changes in the microbiota of these patients play a key role in disease progression with a notable loss of the colonic bacteria that produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Microbial SCFAs nourish colonocytes, reduce epithelial barrier leakage, prime the innate immune response and potentiate the differentiation of regulatory T cells to keep autoimmune responses in check. This project has been identifying polysaccharides in our diet that promote the growth of SCFA-producing bacteria. These could be used as supplements to aid in the management of IBDs.

About

The Goddard-Borger laboratory studies the glycobiology of human diseases and works towards the development of new therapeutics using techniques in chemical, structural and molecular biology. Our research is highly collaborative, leading us to work closely with leading scientists at the institute, across Australia and around the world. This provides an excellent interdisciplinary training environment for students and postdoctoral researchers.

Education

Grants and funding

Publications

Selected publications from Prof Ethan Goddard

Heydarchi B, D’Silva DB, Wong H, Goddard-Borger ED, Wicks IP. Fc mutagenesis enhances the functionality of anti-RhD monoclonal antibodies. Blood Advances. 2025;9(7):10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015082

Sharma M, Pudlo N, Järvå MA, Kaur A, John A, Burchill L, Lingford JP, Epa R, Abayakoon P, Scott NE, Turkenburg JP, Davies GJ, Martens EC, Goddard-Borger ED, Williams SJ. Sulfoglycolysis sustains Eubacterium rectale in low-fiber diets. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2025;301(3):10.1016/j.jbc.2025.108320

DeBono NJ, D’Andrea S, Bandala-Sanchez E, Goddard-Borger E, Zenaidee MA, Moh ESX, Fadda E, Harrison LC, Packer NH. The molecular basis of immunosuppression by soluble CD52 is defined by interactions of N-linked and O-linked glycans with HMGB1 box B. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2025;301(4):10.1016/j.jbc.2025.108350

Burchill L, Sharma M, Soler NM, Goddard-Borger ED, Davies GJ, Williams SJ. Structure, kinetics, and mechanism of Pseudomonas putida sulfoquinovose dehydrogenase, the first enzyme in the sulfoglycolytic Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Biochemical Journal. 2025;482(2):10.1042/bcj20240605

Li J, Mui JW-Y, da Silva BM, Pires DEV, Ascher DB, Madiedo Soler N, Goddard-Borger ED, Williams SJ. A Broad-Spectrum α-Glucosidase of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 13 from Marinovum sp., a Member of the Roseobacter Clade. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 2024;196(9):10.1007/s12010-023-04820-3

Arumapperuma T, Snow AJD, Lee M, Sharma M, Zhang Y, Lingford JP, Goddard-Borger ED, Davies GJ, Williams SJ. Capture-and-release of a sulfoquinovose-binding protein on sulfoquinovose-modified agarose. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. 2024;22(16):10.1039/d4ob00307a

Li J, Sharma M, Meek R, Alhifthi A, Armstrong Z, Soler NM, Lee M, Goddard-Borger ED, Blaza JN, Davies GJ, Williams SJ. Correction: Molecular basis of sulfolactate synthesis by sulfolactaldehyde dehydrogenase from Rhizobium leguminosarum. Chemical Science. 2024;15(2):10.1039/d3sc90238b

Kaur A, Pickles IB, Sharma M, Soler NM, Scott NE, Pidot SJ, Goddard-Borger ED, Davies GJ, Williams SJ. Widespread Family of NAD+‑Dependent Sulfoquinovosidases at the Gateway to Sulfoquinovose Catabolism. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2023;145(51):10.1021/jacs.3c11126

Sharma M, Kaur A, Soler NM, Lingford JP, Epa R, Goddard-Borger ED, Davies GJ, Williams SJ. Defining the molecular architecture, metal dependence, and distribution of metal-dependent class II sulfofructose-1-phosphate aldolases. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2023;299(11):10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105338

Li J, Sharma M, Meek R, Alhifthi A, Armstrong Z, Soler NM, Lee M, Goddard-Borger ED, Blaza JN, Davies GJ, Williams SJ. Molecular basis of sulfolactate synthesis by sulfolactaldehyde dehydrogenase from Rhizobium leguminosarum. Chemical Science. 2023;14(41):10.1039/d3sc01594g