Professor Michael Monteiro
Professor

Michael Monteiro

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 64164

Background

Professor Michael Monteiro has established an international reputation in the field of 'living' radical polymerization to create complex polymer architectures. He is now building designer polymers for various biomedical applications, including vaccines, drug delivery and stem cells. He is dedicated to translating research into commercial outcomes, with 7 PCT and provisional patents since 2005 and start-up company DendriMed Pty Ltd. He was awarded an ARC QEII Fellowship in 2004 and an ARC Future Fellowship in 2009. He has attracted ARC and NHMRC grants; and Queensland State Government funding in excess of $7 million.

International links

Professor Monteiro has built a strong collaboration with Professor Virgil Percec from the University of Pennsylvania to develop and understand the new SET-LRP. He has developed a collaboration with Professor Rachel O'Reilly from the University of Warwick to develop nanoreactors that mimic enzyme activity. In collaboration with Professor Eugenia Kumacheva from the University of Toronto, they developed temperature responsive micron-sized particles from encapsulation of cells.

Availability

Professor Michael Monteiro is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Chemical Sciences Engineering Macromolecular and materials chemistry Materials engineering Polymerisation mechanisms Polymers and plastics

Research impacts

Research

Designer polymers: Synthesis of complex polymer architectures.

Professor Monteiro's research aims to develop methods of synthesising complex polymer architectures in water, with controlled particle size, molecular weight and morphology. By understanding the structure-property relations of these novel nanomaterials, targeted properties can be manufactured for vaccine and drug delivery. Easily recycled polymers that could be used in a variety of products have been synthesised.

Memberships, funding and patents

  • Editorial Advisory Boards: Biomacromolecules (ACS Journal) (2013- ), Macromolecules (ACS Journal) (2008-2010), Journal of Polymer Science Part A Polymer Chemistry (2009-)
  • ARC Funding: DP120100973 Prof MJ Monteiro; Dr TP Munro, On-demand scaffolds for directed stem cell differentiation
  • Selected Patents: (i) Release Media Prov. AU2012902396, (ii) Polymeric dendrimers for siRNA delivery Prov. AU2012903138

Awards and plenaries

2013 UNESCO, Stellenbosch, SA Plenary 2013 ACS, New Orleans., USA – Invited lecture 2013 IPCG, Shanghi, China, Invited and Co-chair 2012 Australian Polymer Symposium, Hobart, Keynote 2012 IUAPC POC14, Qatar, Keynote 2011 Australian Leadership Award (ADC)

Search Professor Michael Monteiro’s works on UQ eSpace

321 works between 1994 and 2025
All (321) Journal Article (254) Book Chapter (7) Conference Publication (45) Book (1) Other Outputs (14)

201 - 220 of 321 works

2010

Other Outputs

Polymer particles

Monteiro, Michael and Urbani, C. (2010). Polymer particles. WO2010091465.

Polymer particles

2010

Conference Publication

Rapid, selective and reversible nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions at ambient temperature

Monteiro, Michael J. (2010). Rapid, selective and reversible nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions at ambient temperature. 239th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, United States, 21-25 March 2010. Washington, United States: American Chemical Society.

Rapid, selective and reversible nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions at ambient temperature

2009

Journal Article

Self-Assembly of Well-Defined Amphiphilic Polymeric Miktoarm Stars, Dendrons, and Dendrimers in Water: The Effect of Architecture

Lonsdale, D.E., Whittaker, M.R. and Monteiro, M.J. (2009). Self-Assembly of Well-Defined Amphiphilic Polymeric Miktoarm Stars, Dendrons, and Dendrimers in Water: The Effect of Architecture. Journal of Polymer Science. Part A, Polymer Chemistry, 47 (22), 6292-6303. doi: 10.1002/pola.23672

Self-Assembly of Well-Defined Amphiphilic Polymeric Miktoarm Stars, Dendrons, and Dendrimers in Water: The Effect of Architecture

2009

Journal Article

Rapid, selective, and reversible nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions at amibient temperature

Kulis, Jakov, Bell, Craig A., Micallef, Aaron S., Jia, Zhongfan and Monteiro, Michael J. (2009). Rapid, selective, and reversible nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions at amibient temperature. Macromolecules, 42 (21), 8218-8227. doi: 10.1021/ma9014565

Rapid, selective, and reversible nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reactions at amibient temperature

2009

Journal Article

The Disproportionation of Cu(I)X Mediated by Ligand and Solvent into Cu(0) and Cu(II)X-2 and Its Implications for SET-LRP

Rosen, Brad M., Jiang, Xuan, Wilson, Christopher J., Nguyen, Nga H., Monteiro, Michael J. and Percec, Virgil (2009). The Disproportionation of Cu(I)X Mediated by Ligand and Solvent into Cu(0) and Cu(II)X-2 and Its Implications for SET-LRP. Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 47 (21), 5606-5628. doi: 10.1002/pola.23690

The Disproportionation of Cu(I)X Mediated by Ligand and Solvent into Cu(0) and Cu(II)X-2 and Its Implications for SET-LRP

2009

Journal Article

Shell-crosslinked nanoparticles through self-assembly of thermoresponsive block copolymers by RAFT polymerization

Pascual, Sargario and Monteiro, Michael J. (2009). Shell-crosslinked nanoparticles through self-assembly of thermoresponsive block copolymers by RAFT polymerization. European Polymer Journal, 45 (9), 2513-2519. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2009.06.009

Shell-crosslinked nanoparticles through self-assembly of thermoresponsive block copolymers by RAFT polymerization

2009

Journal Article

Nanoreactors for Aqueous RAFT-Mediated Polymerizations

Urbani, CN and Monteiro, MJ (2009). Nanoreactors for Aqueous RAFT-Mediated Polymerizations. MACROMOLECULES, 42 (12), 3884-3886. doi: 10.1021/ma900771u

Nanoreactors for Aqueous RAFT-Mediated Polymerizations

2009

Journal Article

RAFT-Mediated Polymerization of Styrene in Readily Biodegradable Ionic Liquids

Johnston-Hall, G, Harjani, JR, Scammells, PJ and Monteiro, MJ (2009). RAFT-Mediated Polymerization of Styrene in Readily Biodegradable Ionic Liquids. MACROMOLECULES, 42 (5), 1604-1609. doi: 10.1021/ma802795j

RAFT-Mediated Polymerization of Styrene in Readily Biodegradable Ionic Liquids

2009

Journal Article

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry study of the orientation of a bifunctional diblock copolymer attached to a solid substrate

Jasieniak, Marek, Suzuki, Shuko, Monteiro, Michael, Wentrup-Byrne, Edeline, Griesser, Hans J. and Grondahl, Lisbeth (2009). Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry study of the orientation of a bifunctional diblock copolymer attached to a solid substrate. Langmuir, 25 (2), 1011-1019. doi: 10.1021/la802016b

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry study of the orientation of a bifunctional diblock copolymer attached to a solid substrate

2009

Conference Publication

Metal-binding particles enhance germination and radicle tolerance index of the metallophyte grass Astrebia lappacea Lindl. under phytotoxic lead and zinc condition

Rossato, L., Pudmenzky, A., Doley, D., Monteiro, M., Whittaker, M., Schmidt, S., MacFarlane, J. and Baker, A. J. M. (2009). Metal-binding particles enhance germination and radicle tolerance index of the metallophyte grass Astrebia lappacea Lindl. under phytotoxic lead and zinc condition. Mine Closure 2009: Fourth International Seminar on Mine Closure, Perth, WA, Australia, 9-11 September 2009. Nedlands, WA, Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics.

Metal-binding particles enhance germination and radicle tolerance index of the metallophyte grass Astrebia lappacea Lindl. under phytotoxic lead and zinc condition

2009

Journal Article

Termination in Semi-Dilute and Concentrated Polymer Solutions

Johnston-Hall, G. and Monteiro, M.J. (2009). Termination in Semi-Dilute and Concentrated Polymer Solutions. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 62 (8), 857-864. doi: 10.1071/CH09089

Termination in Semi-Dilute and Concentrated Polymer Solutions

2009

Book Chapter

Influence of molecular weight distribution (MWD) on kt and the onset of the gel effect using the RAFT-CLD-T method

Johnston-Hall, G. and Monteiro, M. J. (2009). Influence of molecular weight distribution (MWD) on kt and the onset of the gel effect using the RAFT-CLD-T method. Controlled/Living radical polymerization: Progress in RAFT, DT, NMP & OMRP. (pp. 19-35) edited by Kris Matyjaszewski. New York, USA: American Chemical Society. doi: 10.1021/bk-2009-1024.ch002

Influence of molecular weight distribution (MWD) on kt and the onset of the gel effect using the RAFT-CLD-T method

2009

Journal Article

RAFT-Mediated Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene in Water using a Reactive Polymer Nanoreactor

Urbani, C.N. and Monteiro, M.J. (2009). RAFT-Mediated Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene in Water using a Reactive Polymer Nanoreactor. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, 62 (11), 1528-1532. doi: 10.1071/CH09222

RAFT-Mediated Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene in Water using a Reactive Polymer Nanoreactor

2008

Journal Article

Design Criteria for Accurate Measurement of Bimolecular Radical Termination Rate Coefficients via the RAFT-CLD-T Method

Johnston-Hall, Geoffrey, Barner-Kowollik, Christopher and Monteiro, Michael J. (2008). Design Criteria for Accurate Measurement of Bimolecular Radical Termination Rate Coefficients via the RAFT-CLD-T Method. Macromolecular Theory And Simulations, 17 (9), 460-469. doi: 10.1002/mats.200800054

Design Criteria for Accurate Measurement of Bimolecular Radical Termination Rate Coefficients via the RAFT-CLD-T Method

2008

Journal Article

Solvent Choice Differentiates SET-LRP and Cu-Mediated Radical Polymerization with Non-First-Order Kinetics

G. Lligadas, B. Rosen, Monteiro, Michael J. and V. Percec (2008). Solvent Choice Differentiates SET-LRP and Cu-Mediated Radical Polymerization with Non-First-Order Kinetics. Macromolecules, 41 (22), 8360-8364. doi: 10.1021/ma801774d

Solvent Choice Differentiates SET-LRP and Cu-Mediated Radical Polymerization with Non-First-Order Kinetics

2008

Journal Article

Adsorption of well-defined fluorine-containing polymers onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

Suzuki, S., Whittaker, M.R., Wentrup-Byrne, E., Monteiro, M.J. and Grondahl, L. (2008). Adsorption of well-defined fluorine-containing polymers onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene). Langmuir, 24 (22), 13075-13083. doi: 10.1021/la802300q

Adsorption of well-defined fluorine-containing polymers onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

2008

Journal Article

Synthesis of Linear and 4-Arm Star Block Copolymers of Poly (methyl acrylate-b-solketal acrylate) by SET-LRP at 25 oC

Whittaker, Michael R., Carl Urbani and Monteiro, Michael J. (2008). Synthesis of Linear and 4-Arm Star Block Copolymers of Poly (methyl acrylate-b-solketal acrylate) by SET-LRP at 25 oC. Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 46 (18), 6346-6357. doi: 10.1002/pola.22946

Synthesis of Linear and 4-Arm Star Block Copolymers of Poly (methyl acrylate-b-solketal acrylate) by SET-LRP at 25 oC

2008

Journal Article

Bimolecular radical termination: New perspectives and insights

Johnston-Hall, Geoffrey and Monteiro, Michael J. (2008). Bimolecular radical termination: New perspectives and insights. Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 46 (10), 3155-3173. doi: 10.1002/pola.22684

Bimolecular radical termination: New perspectives and insights

2008

Journal Article

Divergent synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic polymeric dendrons with selective degradable linkages

Urbani, Carl N., Lonsdale, Daria E., Bell, Craig A., Whittaker, Michael R. and Monteiro, Michael J. (2008). Divergent synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic polymeric dendrons with selective degradable linkages. Journal of Polymer Science: Part A Polymer Chemistry, 46 (5), 1533-1547. doi: 10.1002/pola.22528

Divergent synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic polymeric dendrons with selective degradable linkages

2008

Journal Article

Convergent synthesis of second generation AB-Type miktoarm dendrimers using "Click" chemistry catalyzed by copper wire

Urbani, Carl N., Bell, Craig A., Whittaker, Michael R. and Monteiro, Michael J. (2008). Convergent synthesis of second generation AB-Type miktoarm dendrimers using "Click" chemistry catalyzed by copper wire. Macromolecules, 41 (4), 1057-1060. doi: 10.1021/ma702707e

Convergent synthesis of second generation AB-Type miktoarm dendrimers using "Click" chemistry catalyzed by copper wire

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Next Generation Engineered Antiviral Coatings
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2023
    Precision-built dynamic and functional polymer vesicles
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Thin film microfluidic systems facility (ARC LIEF Project administered by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Cellular mechanics in unusual systems
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Development of polymer coated surface with a significantly greater surface area & functionality to capture and kill microbes - Phase 2
    Boeing Defence Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Designer Dendrimer Nanodevices with Biomimetic Function
    Vice-Chancellor's Research and Teaching Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Exosome and Bio/Nanoparticle Characterisation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Reaching new heights in high-resolution electron microscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Precision-Engineered Polymer Nanomaterials
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Highly productive and selective bio-organic hybrid membrane water filters
    Murdoch University
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Improving the processing of low quality iron ores by the modification of particle interactions
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    A general platform technology for functional nanocomposites with advanced applications
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    On-Demand 3-Dimensional Polymer Scaffolds for Directed Stem Cell Differentiation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Highly productive and selective bio-organic hybrid membrane water filters - National Centre of Excellence in Desalination
    Murdoch University
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Fabrication and Testing Facilites for Mono-Dispersed Nanoporous Spheres in Advanced Bio-applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Rapid and high-resolution nanocharacterisation of proteins, nanoparticles and polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Transformer 3D Nanostructures: Stimuli Responsive Polymers
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Designer Nanoreactors: An Environmentally Friendly Solution for Polymer Synthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Enabling Software and Equipment for Computational Bio- and Nano-technology
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Engineered Polymer Nanoparticles: A Potent Weapon Against Cancer
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    High Resolution LC/MS and MALDI for Molecular and Macromolecular Characterisation (ARC LIEF Administered by Univeristy of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2014
    The Toxicology of Nanomaterials
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Amphiphilic multi-arm block copolymers for solvent-polarity switchable micelles
    UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Strategic Initiatives
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Automated Microvave Reactor for Polymer Chemistry, Materials Development and Nanotechnology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Quantitative Particle and Cell Size Distribution Facility: Accelerating the Development of Advanced Materials, Water Treamtnet and Mineral Processing at UQ
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Form Fundamentals to complex Architecture in Free-Radical Polymerisation
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Next Generation Polymer Nanostructures
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Ultra high molecular weight polymers with uniform chain length
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Next Generation Nanostructures
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    QEII FELLOWSHIP: Synthesis of nanocomposite polymers with targeted properties
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Michael Monteiro is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Synthesis of well-defined thermoresponsive polymer structures.

    A general strategy through the use of direct azidation of alcohols allowed the sequence control of macromers via both the iterative sequential growth and iterative exponential growth methods. The chemistry was highly efficient in building polymers from a sequence of compositionally different macromers tethered together in close proximity. Using the DPPA/DBU method for near quantitative azidation of the benzyl alcohol moiety, sequence controlled polymers were made via a direct and one-step procedure for CuAAC activation. With four different macromers, spherical miktoarm star-like polymers of 50 000 molecular weight were prepared with a low dispersity, and the polymer coil size depended on the type of added macromer. Polymers made via the iterative methods opens the way for the design of advanced materials with predictable properties.

  • Water-borne nanocoating for rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

    The rise in coronavirus variants has resulted in surges of the disease across the globe. The mutations in the spike protein on the surface of the virion membrane not only allow for greater transmission but also raise concerns about vaccine effectiveness. Preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and other viruses from person to person via airborne or surface transmission requires effective inactivation of the virus. Here, we report a water-borne spray-on coating for the complete inactivation of viral particles and degradation of their RNA. Our nanoworms efficiently bind and, through subsequent large nanoscale conformational changes, rupture the viral membrane and subsequently bind and degrade its RNA. Our coating completely inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (VIC01) and an evolved SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (B.1.1.7 (alpha)), influenza A, and a surrogate capsid pseudovirus expressing the influenza A virus attachment glycoprotein, hemagglutinin. The functional nanoworms can be easily modified to target viruses in future pandemics, and is compatible with large scale manufacturing processes.

  • Temperature-directed morphology transformation method to produce well-defined complex multifunctional polymer particles

    Producing synthetic soft worm and rod structures with multiple chemical functionalities on the surface would provide potential utility in drug delivery, nanoreactors, tissue engineering, diagnostics, rheology modifiers, enzyme mimics, and many other applications. Here, we have synthesized multifunctional worms and rods directly in water using a one-step reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated dispersion polymerization at high weight fractions of polymer (>10 wt %). The chain-end functionalities included alkyne, pyridyl disulfide, dopamine, β-thiolactone, and biotin groups. These groups could further be converted or coupled with biomolecules or polymers. We further demonstrated a nanorod colorimetric system with good control over the attachment of fluorescent probes

  • Shape Control over the Polymer Molecular Weight Distribution and Influence on Rheological Properties

    The shape, breadth, and average molecular weight of the overall molecular weight distribution (MWD) largely define polymer properties. In conventional free-radical polymerization, control over this distribution is through the many competing kinetic pathways dominated by radical termination events. “Living” radical polymerization mechanistically minimizes these termination events, providing a facile route to a desired Gaussian distribution with the distribution breadth dependent upon the activity of the catalyst or modulating agent. However, producing unusually shaped distributions can only be achieved through modeling of the complex polymerization kinetics and invoking feeding and other methods. Here, we construct square, slanted, and chair-like MWDs by blending two to four polymers made using a low-reactive RAFT agent with dispersities close to 2. The blending method described here overcomes many of the difficulties in producing unusually shaped MWDs and allows control over the shape and breadth of the MWD. The concept further provides a general synthetic strategy for studying important structure–property relationships of polymers with desired processing and performance characteristics.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Triblock copolymer nanoparticles for anti-cancer delivery

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of polymeric vessicles

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Precision-built dynamic and functional polymer dendrimers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Translational meaning of the efficacy of immunotherapies as neoadjuvants to treat Head and Neck cancers.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Wenyi Gu, Dr Merja Joensuu

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Michael Monteiro directly for media enquiries about:

  • Dendrimers
  • Dendrons
  • Drug delivery
  • Emulsion polymerisation
  • Immunisation - delivery of
  • Living radical ploymerisation
  • Nanostructures
  • Polymer dendrimers
  • Polymer nanoparticles
  • Polymerisation
  • Vaccine delivery

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