Professor Paul Bernhardt
Professor

Paul Bernhardt

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54266

Background

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994.

Availability

Professor Paul Bernhardt is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Inorganic chemistry Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle

Research interests

  • Protein Electrochemistry

    This research involves incorporating redox active enzymes with electrochemical systems such that the enzyme functions natively whilst in communication with an electrode (rather than with a natural electron transfer partner). We are currently investigating a number of systems, most from the molybdenum enzyme family that catalyse oxygen transfer reactions of both organic and inorganic substrates.

  • Copper Complexes as Atom Transfer Radical Catalysts

    Atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) is one of the most widely used 'controlled' radical polymerisation techniques and has resulted in polymers with well defined molecular weights and architectures. Our work is focused on complexes that catalyse this process by generating organic radicals from the simple reaction between a Cu(I) complex and an alkyl halide initiator. We can probe this atom transfer reaction with cyclic voltammetry and we have gained new insight to this interesting and fundamentally important reaction. This has now progressed to developing electrocatalytic synthetic methods for C-C bond formation reactions in collaboration with Prof. Craig Williams (SCMB).

Research impacts

My research interests include all aspects of coordination chemistry; particularly its relevance to the areas of electrochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, spectroscopy and catalysis.

In recent years some of the areas in which we have been, and continue to be, actively involved include:

  • Enzyme electrochemistry (collaborations with several UQ and international groups).
  • Invesitigation of copper complexes that are active in atom transfer radical polymerisation catalysis
  • Transition metal-mediated organic oxidation and reduction reactions

Search Professor Paul Bernhardt’s works on UQ eSpace

541 works between 1987 and 2024
All (541) Journal Article (509) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (28) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 541 works

2024

Journal Article

Goondolinones A and B: Terpenyl-quinolin-4(1<i>H</i>)-ones from an Australian Volcanic Crater Soil-Derived <i>Actinomadura</i> sp., with Selective Activity against <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> (Heartworm)

Han, Jianying, Bruhn, David F, Roberts, Dana C., Burkman, Erica J., Moreno, Yovany, Bernhardt, Paul V., Salim, Angela A. and Capon, Robert J. (2024). Goondolinones A and B: Terpenyl-quinolin-4(1H)-ones from an Australian Volcanic Crater Soil-Derived Actinomadura sp., with Selective Activity against Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm). Journal of Natural Products. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c01146

Goondolinones A and B: Terpenyl-quinolin-4(1<i>H</i>)-ones from an Australian Volcanic Crater Soil-Derived <i>Actinomadura</i> sp., with Selective Activity against <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> (Heartworm)

2024

Journal Article

Divalent organocopper complexes: masked radicals for effective electrochemically driven atom transfer radical addition

Naher, Masnun, Su, Chuyi, Gonzálvez, Miguel A., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2024). Divalent organocopper complexes: masked radicals for effective electrochemically driven atom transfer radical addition. Organometallics, 43 (21), 2821-2830. doi: 10.1021/acs.organomet.4c00377

Divalent organocopper complexes: masked radicals for effective electrochemically driven atom transfer radical addition

2024

Journal Article

Isosteric Replacement of Sulfur to Selenium in a Thiosemicarbazone: Promotion of Zn(II) Complex Dissociation and Transmetalation to Augment Anticancer Efficacy

Kaya, Busra, Gholam Azad, Mahan, Suleymanoglu, Mediha, Harmer, Jeffrey R., Wijesinghe, Tharushi P., Richardson, Vera, Zhao, Xiao, Bernhardt, Paul V., Dharmasivam, Mahendiran and Richardson, Des R. (2024). Isosteric Replacement of Sulfur to Selenium in a Thiosemicarbazone: Promotion of Zn(II) Complex Dissociation and Transmetalation to Augment Anticancer Efficacy. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67 (14), 12155-12183. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00884

Isosteric Replacement of Sulfur to Selenium in a Thiosemicarbazone: Promotion of Zn(II) Complex Dissociation and Transmetalation to Augment Anticancer Efficacy

2024

Journal Article

Miniaturized Cultivation Profiling (MATRIX)-Facilitated Discovery of Noonazines A–C and Noonaphilone A from an Australian Marine-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus noonimiae CMB-M0339

Kankanamge, Sarani, Bernhardt, Paul V., Khalil, Zeinab G. and Capon, Robert J. (2024). Miniaturized Cultivation Profiling (MATRIX)-Facilitated Discovery of Noonazines A–C and Noonaphilone A from an Australian Marine-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus noonimiae CMB-M0339. Marine Drugs, 22 (6) 243, 243. doi: 10.3390/md22060243

Miniaturized Cultivation Profiling (MATRIX)-Facilitated Discovery of Noonazines A–C and Noonaphilone A from an Australian Marine-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus noonimiae CMB-M0339

2024

Journal Article

Goondansamycins A–H: Benzenoid Ansamycins from an Australian Volcanic Crater Soil-Derived <i>Actinomadura</i> sp. S4S-00069B08

Han, Jianying, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Capon, Robert J. (2024). Goondansamycins A–H: Benzenoid Ansamycins from an Australian Volcanic Crater Soil-Derived Actinomadura sp. S4S-00069B08. Journal of Natural Products, 87 (5), 1471-1478. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00336

Goondansamycins A–H: Benzenoid Ansamycins from an Australian Volcanic Crater Soil-Derived <i>Actinomadura</i> sp. S4S-00069B08

2024

Journal Article

Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Churchman, Luke R., Beckett, James R., Tan, Lendl, Woods, Kyra, Doherty, Daniel Z., Ghith, Amna, Bernhardt, Paul V., Bell, Stephen G., West, Nicholas P. and De Voss, James J. (2024). Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 239 106479, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106479

Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2024

Journal Article

Correction to “Steric Blockade of Oxy-Myoglobin Oxidation by Thiosemicarbazones: Structure–Activity Relationships of the Novel PPP4pT Series’’

Wijesinghe, Tharushi P., Kaya, Busra, Gonzálvez, Miguel A., Harmer, Jeffrey R., Gholam Azad, Mahan, Bernhardt, Paul V., Dharmasivam, Mahendiran and Richardson, Des R. (2024). Correction to “Steric Blockade of Oxy-Myoglobin Oxidation by Thiosemicarbazones: Structure–Activity Relationships of the Novel PPP4pT Series’’. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67 (8), 6893-6893. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00714

Correction to “Steric Blockade of Oxy-Myoglobin Oxidation by Thiosemicarbazones: Structure–Activity Relationships of the Novel PPP4pT Series’’

2024

Journal Article

Macrocyclic Copper(II) Complexes as Catalysts for Electrochemically Mediated Atom Transfer

Naher, Masnun, Su, Chuyi, Harmer, Jeffrey R., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2024). Macrocyclic Copper(II) Complexes as Catalysts for Electrochemically Mediated Atom Transfer. Inorganic Chemistry, 63 (14), 6453-6464. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00311

Macrocyclic Copper(II) Complexes as Catalysts for Electrochemically Mediated Atom Transfer

2024

Journal Article

Kinetic, electrochemical and spectral characterization of bacterial and archaeal rusticyanins; unexpected stability issues and consequences for applications in biotechnology

Wilson, Liam A., Melville, Jamie N., Pedroso, Marcelo M., Krco, Stefan, Hoelzl, Robert, Zaugg, Julian, Southam, Gordon, Virdis, Bernardino, Evans, Paul, Supper, Jenna, Harmer, Jeffrey R., Tyson, Gene, Clark, Alice, Schenk, Gerhard and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2024). Kinetic, electrochemical and spectral characterization of bacterial and archaeal rusticyanins; unexpected stability issues and consequences for applications in biotechnology. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 256 112539, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112539

Kinetic, electrochemical and spectral characterization of bacterial and archaeal rusticyanins; unexpected stability issues and consequences for applications in biotechnology

2024

Journal Article

The (±)-5-Aza[1.0]triblattane Skeleton via Azetine Cycloaddition

Su, Chuyi, Dallaston, Madeleine A., Watson, Renée D., Fahrenhorst-Jones, Tyler, Cameron, Jacob P., Pierens, Gregory K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Savage, G. Paul and Williams, Craig M. (2024). The (±)-5-Aza[1.0]triblattane Skeleton via Azetine Cycloaddition. Organic Letters, 26 (14), 2827-2831. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c03655

The (±)-5-Aza[1.0]triblattane Skeleton via Azetine Cycloaddition

2024

Journal Article

Differential transmetallation of complexes of the anti-cancer thiosemicarbazone, Dp4e4mT: effects on anti-proliferative efficacy, redox activity, oxy-myoglobin and oxy-hemoglobin oxidation

Dharmasivam, Mahendiran, Kaya, Busra, Wijesinghe, Tharushi P., Richardson, Vera, Harmer, Jeffrey R., Gonzalvez, Miguel A., Lewis, William, Azad, Mahan Gholam, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2024). Differential transmetallation of complexes of the anti-cancer thiosemicarbazone, Dp4e4mT: effects on anti-proliferative efficacy, redox activity, oxy-myoglobin and oxy-hemoglobin oxidation. Chemical Science, 15 (3), 974-990. doi: 10.1039/d3sc05723b

Differential transmetallation of complexes of the anti-cancer thiosemicarbazone, Dp4e4mT: effects on anti-proliferative efficacy, redox activity, oxy-myoglobin and oxy-hemoglobin oxidation

2024

Journal Article

Reversible structural transformation of metastable lead-free organic–inorganic hybrid bismuth halide single crystals

Zhang, Yurou, Ghasemi, Mehri, Wen, Xiaoming, Lee, Minwoo, Liu, Xiaoxia, Jiao, Yalong, Bernhardt, Paul V., Han, EQ, Lin, Tongen, Zhang, Bo Wei, Xu, Kaijie, Lee, Su-Min, Yun, Jae Sung, Yun, Jung-Ho and Wang, Lianzhou (2024). Reversible structural transformation of metastable lead-free organic–inorganic hybrid bismuth halide single crystals. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 12 (42), 29152-29164. doi: 10.1039/d4ta04715j

Reversible structural transformation of metastable lead-free organic–inorganic hybrid bismuth halide single crystals

2024

Journal Article

Hyperstable alkenes: are they remarkably unreactive?

Summersgill, Matthew D., Gahan, Lawrence R., Chow, Sharon, Pierens, Gregory K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Williams, Craig M. (2024). Hyperstable alkenes: are they remarkably unreactive?. Chemical Science, 15 (46), 19299-19306. doi: 10.1039/d4sc06697a

Hyperstable alkenes: are they remarkably unreactive?

2024

Journal Article

Targeting lysosomes by design: novel N-acridine thiosemicarbazones that enable direct detection of intracellular drug localization and overcome P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated resistance

Kaya, Busra, Smith, Henry, Chen, Yanbing, Azad, Mahan Gholam, M. Russell, Tiffany, Richardson, Vera, Bernhardt, Paul V., Dharmasivam, Mahendiran and Richardson, Des R. (2024). Targeting lysosomes by design: novel N-acridine thiosemicarbazones that enable direct detection of intracellular drug localization and overcome P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated resistance. Chemical Science, 15 (37), 15109-15124. doi: 10.1039/d4sc04339a

Targeting lysosomes by design: novel N-acridine thiosemicarbazones that enable direct detection of intracellular drug localization and overcome P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated resistance

2024

Journal Article

X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy of N<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub> Cu(<scp>ii</scp>)/(<scp>iii</scp>) complexes

Geoghegan, Blaise L., Bilyj, Jessica K., Bernhardt, Paul V., DeBeer, Serena and Cutsail, George E. (2024). X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy of N2S2 Cu(ii)/(iii) complexes. Dalton Transactions, 53 (18), 7828-7838. doi: 10.1039/d4dt00085d

X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy of N<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub> Cu(<scp>ii</scp>)/(<scp>iii</scp>) complexes

2024

Journal Article

Rapid and stable complexation of the α-generators bismuth-212 and lead-212 with a tetraazamacrocyclic chelator bearing thiosemicarbazone pendant arms

Grieve, Melyssa L., Davey, Patrick R. W. J., Bernhardt, Paul V., Forsyth, Craig M. and Paterson, Brett M. (2024). Rapid and stable complexation of the α-generators bismuth-212 and lead-212 with a tetraazamacrocyclic chelator bearing thiosemicarbazone pendant arms. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 11 (21), 7307-7323. doi: 10.1039/d4qi01338g

Rapid and stable complexation of the α-generators bismuth-212 and lead-212 with a tetraazamacrocyclic chelator bearing thiosemicarbazone pendant arms

2023

Journal Article

Dilution accelerates crystallization: a negative-order kinetic coordination reaction induced by the competitive interplay of dissociation and complexation

Meng, Peng, Connolly, Blake J. P., Anand, Ayusha, Wang, Yuting, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Xu, Jingsan (2023). Dilution accelerates crystallization: a negative-order kinetic coordination reaction induced by the competitive interplay of dissociation and complexation. CCS Chemistry, 5 (12), 2845-2854. doi: 10.31635/ccschem.023.202303095

Dilution accelerates crystallization: a negative-order kinetic coordination reaction induced by the competitive interplay of dissociation and complexation

2023

Journal Article

Redox characterization of the complex molybdenum enzyme formate dehydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator

Harmer, Jeffrey R., Hakopian, Sheron, Niks, Dimitri, Hille, Russ and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2023). Redox characterization of the complex molybdenum enzyme formate dehydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145 (47), 25850-25863. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c10199

Redox characterization of the complex molybdenum enzyme formate dehydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator

2023

Journal Article

Steric blockade of oxy-myoglobin oxidation by thiosemicarbazones: structure–activity relationships of the novel PPP4pT series

Wijesinghe, Tharushi P., Kaya, Busra, Gonzálvez, Miguel A., Harmer, Jeffrey R., Gholam Azad, Mahan, Bernhardt, Paul V., Dharmasivam, Mahendiran and Richardson, Des R. (2023). Steric blockade of oxy-myoglobin oxidation by thiosemicarbazones: structure–activity relationships of the novel PPP4pT series. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (22), 15453-15476. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01612

Steric blockade of oxy-myoglobin oxidation by thiosemicarbazones: structure–activity relationships of the novel PPP4pT series

2023

Journal Article

Metal complexes of Schiff bases prepared from quinoline-3-carbohydrazide with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde, 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde: structure and biological activity

Sunjuk, Mahmoud, Al-Najjar, Lana, Shtaiwi, Majed, El-Eswed, Bassam, Sweidan, Kamal, Bernhardt, Paul, Zalloum, Hiba and Al-Essa, Luay (2023). Metal complexes of Schiff bases prepared from quinoline-3-carbohydrazide with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde, 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde: structure and biological activity. Inorganics, 11 (10) 412, 412. doi: 10.3390/inorganics11100412

Metal complexes of Schiff bases prepared from quinoline-3-carbohydrazide with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde, 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde: structure and biological activity

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Emergent organocopper complexes as robust catalysts for electrosynthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    High-Resolution Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    An Innovative, Non-Hormonal, Pharmacological Strategy that Down-Regulates the Oestrogen, Androgen, Progesterone, and Prolactin Receptors and Inhibits the Triad-of-Death in Breast Cancer (Griffith led)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Pharmaceutical Development of Innovative "Trojan Horse" Anti-Cancer Agents that Inhibit Desmoplasia by Reprogramming Signalling (NHMRC Ideas Grant administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Bioelectrochemical interconversion of the building blocks of life
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Molybdenum enzyme electrochemical communication
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    To Biochemically Trick P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) to Target Resistance via Lysosomal Pgp (NHMRC Project Grant led by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Advanced X-ray Facility for Structural Elucidation and Photocrystallography
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Enzyme Electrochemical Communication
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    The fate of copper in atom transfer radical reactions
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Facilities for Integrated Bioinorganic and Materials Chemistry Research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Short circuiting redox enzymes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010
    An integrated high -throughput fluorescence imaging facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Spotlighting Biologically Active Fe Chelators within Cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Pharmacology of Potential Anti-Tumour Agents: Iron Chelators of the BpT Class (NHMRC project grant administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Electrochemically Driven Molybdoenzyme Catalysis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Chemical and Biochemical Characterisation of Novel Iron Chelators with Therapeutic Potential
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Examination of the molecular pharmacology of anthracyclines induced via their interaction with iron
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Mechanistic Studies on Biologically Active Iron Chelators
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2005
    New synthetic routes to the immobilisation of mixed valence transition metal complexes on conducting metal oxides
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Australian Bio-Metals Research Network
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Chemical and Biochemical Characterisation of Novel Iron Chelators with Therapeutic Potential
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Research expenses for visiting Research Fellow (Dr A. Meacham)
    The Royal Society
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Mechanistic Studies of Dimethylsulfide Dehydrogenase: A Novel Bacterial Molybdoenzyme
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Novel Molecular Electrochronic Devices
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Single electron reactions of multi-redox centred systems (CREDITS ONLY AWARDED)
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Single electron transfer reactions of multi-redox centre complexes
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Excited state dynamics of light induced molecular processes.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Mixed-Valence Transition Metal Assemblies
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Self-assembling transition metal arrays
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Single electron transfer reactions of multi redox centre complexes
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Toward discrete dinuclear cyano-bridged coordination compounds
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Macrocyclic receptors for ionic guests
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Toward supramolecular charge separated molecules
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Paul Bernhardt is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantum Chemistry as a tool for Spectroscopic Analysis

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:

  • Crystallography
  • Electrochemistry
  • Transition metal chemistry

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