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Professor Bob Gilbert
Professor

Bob Gilbert

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Overview

Background

I work at two universities: UQ and Yangzhou University, China.

Research on the relations between two glucose polymers, starch and glycogen, whose structure has major impact on nutrition, diabetes and obesity.

After many years in synthetic polymer research, in 2006 I took up a position at UQ to pursue my interests in the relations between human health and the structures of glucose polymers, especially starch and glycogen, which have complex branched structures. For this purpose, I have built on my knowledge of synthetic polymers. This has led to unique combined experiment and theoretical methods for characterizing the complex molecular architecture of these biopolymers; the target is biosynthesis-structure-property-degradation relations important for human health, and also new biomaterials. This research is leading to new methods for the control and mitigation of obesity, diabetes and colo-rectal cancers; these nutrition-related diseases are reaching epidemic proportions.

I am a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, author of 500 papers, 4 patents and 2 books (on unimolecular reactions and on emulsion polymerization). I was President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Macromolecular Division (1998-2001), Elected Member of the IUPAC Bureau (2002-5), was Chair (1988-95) of the IUPAC Working Party on polymerization modelling and mechanisms, and was one of eight members of the IUPAC Strategy Development and Implementation Committee which carried out a major reorganization of that body. I was Secretary of the International Polymer Colloids Group until 2001, and former Chair of both the Polymer and Physical Chemistry Divisions of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. I am a winner of a Sydney University Excellence in Teaching Award, was awarded the RACI Smith Medal in recognition of outstanding research achievements in chemistry over the past decade, the RACI’s Polymer Medal, shared the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Medal in 1993 for my work in understanding polymerization mechanisms, the RACI Olle Prize in 1996 for my book on emulsion polymerization, the RACI Physical Chemistry Medal in 1998, the RACI Applied Research Medal in 2005, the RACI Leighton Memorial Medal in 2007 and the Australian Academy of Science Craig Prize (2010). I have been a member of the editorial boards of Carbohydrate Polymers, Biomacromolecules, Journal of Polymer Science, and Polymer, and was Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Polymer Colloids, 2003. I speak fluent French and German as well as my native English, and limited Mandarin.

Since 2012, I have spent half my time at UQ and half in China, under theForeign Experts program. The latter is at YangZHou University (which has one of the best 5 agirculture faculties in China). There is a strong synergy between my Australian and Chinese research groups, with each spending some time in the other location, providing a unique opportunity for my young Australian researchers to learn first-hand about research practice and culture in our largest trading partner; also, I have outstanding facilities there which are significantly used by my Australian research group and by other groups in Australia.

Availability

Professor Bob Gilbert is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Sydney
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Structure-property-biosynthesis relations of complex branched polymers

    The particular targets of this work are two complex branched polymers of glucose. Starch is the storage reservoir for starch in plants. We eat starch and digest it to glucose, and temporarily store this as glycogen, which has a similar molecular structure to glucose. Glycogen is our blood-sugar reservoir. This research is important for two major public health problems: diabetes and obesity. We are developing new plant varieties which are more slowly digested to starch, which helps avoid and manage diabetes and obesity. We are using our discoveries about glycogen to work towards new and highly novel types of drug targets for diabetes.

Research impacts

The h index of a researcher is calculated from the number of times each of the published papers by that person is cited. Mine is 70, which is generally regarded as extremely high.

Works

Search Professor Bob Gilbert’s works on UQ eSpace

630 works between 1967 and 2025

481 - 500 of 630 works

1992

Conference Publication

Testing nucleation models for emulsion-polymerization systems

Morrison, Bradley R., Maxwell, Ian A., Gilbert, Robert G. and Napper, Donald H. (1992). Testing nucleation models for emulsion-polymerization systems. 201st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Atlanta, GA, United States, 14-19 April 1991. Washington , DC, United States: American Chemical Society. doi: 10.1021/bk-1992-0492.ch003

Testing nucleation models for emulsion-polymerization systems

1992

Journal Article

Polymer-fraction dependence of entry rate coefficients in emulsion polymerization

Leslie, G. L., Napper, D. H. and Gilbert , R. G. (1992). Polymer-fraction dependence of entry rate coefficients in emulsion polymerization. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 45 (12), 2057-2060. doi: 10.1071/CH9922057

Polymer-fraction dependence of entry rate coefficients in emulsion polymerization

1992

Journal Article

TESTING NUCLEATION MODELS FOR EMULSION-POLYMERIZATION SYSTEMS

MORRISON, BR, MAXWELL, IA, GILBERT, RG and NAPPER, DH (1992). TESTING NUCLEATION MODELS FOR EMULSION-POLYMERIZATION SYSTEMS. Acs Symposium Series, 492, 28-44.

TESTING NUCLEATION MODELS FOR EMULSION-POLYMERIZATION SYSTEMS

1992

Conference Publication

Free radical entry in emulsion polymerizations

Maxwell, Ian A., Morrison, Bradley R., Gilbert, Robert G., Sangster, David F. and Napper, Donald H. (1992). Free radical entry in emulsion polymerizations. International Symposium on Polymer Materials - Preparation, Characterization And Properties ( Polymer 91 ), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 10-15 February 1991. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH. doi: 10.1002/masy.19920530122

Free radical entry in emulsion polymerizations

1991

Journal Article

Variational transition state theory: A simple model for dissociation and recombination reactions of small species

Jordan, M.J.T., Smith, S.C. and Gilbert, R.G. (1991). Variational transition state theory: A simple model for dissociation and recombination reactions of small species. Journal of Physical Chemistry, 95 (22), 8685-8694. doi: 10.1021/j100175a050

Variational transition state theory: A simple model for dissociation and recombination reactions of small species

1991

Journal Article

Examination of the preparation of a block copolymer from macroradicals produced in viscous media

Louis, P.E.J., Gilbert, R.G., Napper, D.H.., Teyssie, P. and Fayt, R. (1991). Examination of the preparation of a block copolymer from macroradicals produced in viscous media. Macromolecules, 24 (21), 5746-5751. doi: 10.1021/ma00021a002

Examination of the preparation of a block copolymer from macroradicals produced in viscous media

1991

Journal Article

Supercollision events in weak collisional energy transfer of highly excited species

Clarke, David L., Thompson, Keiran C. and Gilbert, Robert G. (1991). Supercollision events in weak collisional energy transfer of highly excited species. Chemical Physics Letters, 182 (3-4), 357-362. doi: 10.1016/0009-2614(91)80229-Q

Supercollision events in weak collisional energy transfer of highly excited species

1991

Journal Article

Theory of collisional energy transfer of highly excited molecules

Gilbert, R. G. (1991). Theory of collisional energy transfer of highly excited molecules. International Reviews in Physical Chemistry, 10 (3), 319-347. doi: 10.1080/01442359109353261

Theory of collisional energy transfer of highly excited molecules

1991

Journal Article

Collisional energy transfer at high temperatures from the biased walk model

Gilbert, R.G. and Oref, I. (1991). Collisional energy transfer at high temperatures from the biased walk model. Journal of Physical Chemistry, 95 (13), 5007-5011. doi: 10.1021/j100166a021

Collisional energy transfer at high temperatures from the biased walk model

1991

Journal Article

Kinetic aspects of the emulsion polymerization of butadiene

Weerts, P.A., German, A.L. and Gilbert, R.G. (1991). Kinetic aspects of the emulsion polymerization of butadiene. Macromolecules, 24 (7), 1622-1628. doi: 10.1021/ma00007a027

Kinetic aspects of the emulsion polymerization of butadiene

1991

Journal Article

Entry of free radicals into latex particles in emulsion polymerization

Maxwell, I.A., Morrison, B.R., Napper, D.H. and Gilbert, R.G. (1991). Entry of free radicals into latex particles in emulsion polymerization. Macromolecules, 24 (7), 1629-1640. doi: 10.1021/ma00007a028

Entry of free radicals into latex particles in emulsion polymerization

1991

Journal Article

Studies of particle formation in styrene emulsion polymerizations using 9-vinyl anthracene as a probe molecule

Pearson, L.T., Louis, Pierre E.J., Gilbert, Robert G. and Napper, Donald H. (1991). Studies of particle formation in styrene emulsion polymerizations using 9-vinyl anthracene as a probe molecule. Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 29 (4), 515-523. doi: 10.1002/pola.1991.080290408

Studies of particle formation in styrene emulsion polymerizations using 9-vinyl anthracene as a probe molecule

1991

Conference Publication

The status of nucleation models in emulsion polymerization

Gilbert, R.G., Morrison, B.R. and Napper, D.H. (1991). The status of nucleation models in emulsion polymerization. National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, United States, 1991. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.

The status of nucleation models in emulsion polymerization

1991

Journal Article

Molecular weight distributions in emulsion polymerizations: Evidence for coagulative nucleation

Whang, B.C.Y., Ballard, M.J., Napper, D.H. and Gilbert, R.G. (1991). Molecular weight distributions in emulsion polymerizations: Evidence for coagulative nucleation. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 44 (8), 1133-1137. doi: 10.1071/CH9911133

Molecular weight distributions in emulsion polymerizations: Evidence for coagulative nucleation

1990

Journal Article

Pulsed laser study of the propagation kinetics of acrylamide and methacrylamide in water

Pascal, P., Napper, D.H., Gilbert, R.G., Piton, M.C. and Winnik, M.A. (1990). Pulsed laser study of the propagation kinetics of acrylamide and methacrylamide in water. Macromolecules, 23 (24), 5161-5163. doi: 10.1021/ma00226a024

Pulsed laser study of the propagation kinetics of acrylamide and methacrylamide in water

1990

Journal Article

Bimolecular termination events in the seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene

Adams, M.E., ussell, G.T., Casey, B.S., Gilbert, R.G., Napper, D.H. and Sangster, D.F. (1990). Bimolecular termination events in the seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene. Macromolecules, 23 (21), 4624-4634. doi: 10.1021/ma00223a021

Bimolecular termination events in the seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene

1990

Journal Article

Effect of polymerization kinetics on particle morphology in heterogeneous systems

Mills, M.F., Gilbert, R.G. and Napper, D.H. (1990). Effect of polymerization kinetics on particle morphology in heterogeneous systems. Macromolecules, 23 (19), 4247-4257. doi: 10.1021/ma00221a011

Effect of polymerization kinetics on particle morphology in heterogeneous systems

1990

Journal Article

Possible quantum effects in collisional energy transfer in highly excited molecules

Gilbert, Robert G. and Zare, Richard N. (1990). Possible quantum effects in collisional energy transfer in highly excited molecules. Chemical Physics Letters, 167 (5), 407-411. doi: 10.1016/0009-2614(90)85021-4

Possible quantum effects in collisional energy transfer in highly excited molecules

1990

Journal Article

Modeling collisional energy transfer in highly excited molecules

Lim, Kieran F. and Gilbert, Robert G. (1990). Modeling collisional energy transfer in highly excited molecules. Journal of Chemical Physics, 92 (3), 1819-1830. doi: 10.1063/1.458064

Modeling collisional energy transfer in highly excited molecules

1990

Conference Publication

High conversion emulsion, dispersion and suspension polymerization

Adams, Mary E ., Casey, Brendan S., Mills, Martin F., Russell, Gregory T., Napper, Donald H. and Gilbert, Robert G. (1990). High conversion emulsion, dispersion and suspension polymerization. 2nd International Symposium on “Copolymerization and Copolymers in Dispersed Media, Lyon, France, 3-7 April 1989. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH. doi: 10.1002/masy.19900350103

High conversion emulsion, dispersion and suspension polymerization

Funding

Past funding

  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Design rules for nutritionally-functional grains
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Molecular characterization of complex biological polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Changes in the glycogen proteome over a diurnal cycle and potential new drug targets
    Diabetes Australia Research Trust
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Agents of change: Transforming the food industry for Australia, Asia and beyond
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    ResTeach 2013 0.1 FTE School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Structural understanding of the degradation of glucose polymers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    The first structure/function-derived starchers for the food and related industries
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Next-generation technology for determining fitness-for-use of starches in cereal grains
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Establishing the relations between starch nano- and mesostructure and macroscopic physical properties
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Factors controlling higher-level starch structure
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Graft copolymers from starch and synthetic monomers
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Controlled nutrient release for more efficient agricultural water use and reduced environmental insult
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    A computational facility for multi-scale modelling in bio and nanotechnology
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Redesigning Grain Polysaccharides
    CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Mechanistic investigation of fluorinated coating for stone preservation
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Molecular archaecology: new knowledge from molecular weight distribution of synthetic and natural polymers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Formation and stability of polymerically stabilized colloids
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Bob Gilbert is:
Available for supervision

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

Available projects

  • Complex branched polysaccharides and human health

    This title covers a large number of potential projects. Glucose is the energy "currency" of most living organisms. In plants, it is made mainly by photosynthnesis, and stored as starch, which is a partly-crystalline complex branched glucose polymer. Starch is consumed by animals, digested back to glucose and the glucose then stored as glycogen, which is also a complex branched glucose polymer but amorphous, not crystalline. Both molecules are degraded enzymatically back to glucose when the organism needs energy. There is a large number of projects on the biosynthesis - structure - property relations of these molecules. This is especially important for human health. The diet-related problems of obesity, diabetes and colorectal cancers are all related to the rate and location of digestion of starch-containing foods. By better understanding of these biosynthesis-structture-property raltions, it is possible to design better foods and improvewd plant varieties so that the public health burdens, and personal distress, of these diseases can be reduced.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Study of the structure of glycogen and potential drug target for diabetes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mitchell Sullivan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The effect of high-amylose resistant starch on the glycogen structure of diabetic mice

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mitchell Sullivan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The flavour of starch: description of the sensory profile and the associations with structure-function properties, chemosensory ligands, and metabolic pathways

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The flavour of starch: description of the sensory profile and the associations with structure-function properties, chemosensory ligands, and metabolic pathways

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Bob Gilbert directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biopolymers
  • Biopolymers and human health
  • Biosynthesis
  • Glycogen
  • Human health - biopolymers
  • Polymers
  • Starch

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au