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

557 works between 1987 and 2026
All (557) Journal Article (523) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (30) Book Chapter (3)

201 - 220 of 557 works

2014

Journal Article

Synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures of some zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of the 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

Mirza, Aminul Huq, Hamid, Malai Haniti S. A., Aripin, Sazwani, Karim, Mohammad Rezaul, Arifuzzaman, Md., Ali, Mohammad Akbar and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures of some zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of the 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates. Polyhedron, 74, 16-23. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2014.02.016

Synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures of some zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of the 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

2014

Journal Article

Attempted synthesis of the imidazylate of an α-hydroxylactone results in unexpected chlorination: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of 5-Chloro-5-deoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-β- l -idurono-6,3-lactone

Mohamed, Shifaza, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Ferro, Vito (2014). Attempted synthesis of the imidazylate of an α-hydroxylactone results in unexpected chlorination: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of 5-Chloro-5-deoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-β- l -idurono-6,3-lactone. Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry, 33 (4), 197-205. doi: 10.1080/07328303.2014.907908

Attempted synthesis of the imidazylate of an α-hydroxylactone results in unexpected chlorination: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of 5-Chloro-5-deoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-β- l -idurono-6,3-lactone

2014

Journal Article

The tachykinin peptide neurokinin B binds copper(I) and silver(I) and undergoes quasi-reversible electrochemistry: towards a new function for the peptide in the brain.

Grosas, Aidan B., Kalimuthu, Palraj, Smith, Alison C., Williams, Peter A., Millar, Thomas J., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Jones, Christopher E. (2014). The tachykinin peptide neurokinin B binds copper(I) and silver(I) and undergoes quasi-reversible electrochemistry: towards a new function for the peptide in the brain.. Neurochemistry International, 70 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.03.002

The tachykinin peptide neurokinin B binds copper(I) and silver(I) and undergoes quasi-reversible electrochemistry: towards a new function for the peptide in the brain.

2014

Journal Article

Computational insights on the geometrical arrangements of Cu(II) with a mixed-donor N3S3 macrobicyclic ligand

Algarra, Andres G., Aullon, Gabriel, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Martinez, Manuel (2014). Computational insights on the geometrical arrangements of Cu(II) with a mixed-donor N3S3 macrobicyclic ligand. Inorganic Chemistry, 53 (1), 512-521. doi: 10.1021/ic402533j

Computational insights on the geometrical arrangements of Cu(II) with a mixed-donor N3S3 macrobicyclic ligand

2014

Journal Article

Acanthocyclamine A from the Indonesian marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens

Dewi, Ariyanti S., Hadi, Tri A., Fajarningsih, Nurrahmi D., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Garson, Mary J. (2014). Acanthocyclamine A from the Indonesian marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 67 (8-9), 1205-1210. doi: 10.1071/CH14107

Acanthocyclamine A from the Indonesian marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens

2014

Journal Article

Electrochemically driven catalysis of Rhizobium sp. NT-26 arsenite oxidase with its native electron acceptor cytochrome C552

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Heath, Matthew D., Santini, Joanne M., Kappler, Ulrike and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Electrochemically driven catalysis of Rhizobium sp. NT-26 arsenite oxidase with its native electron acceptor cytochrome C552. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1837 (1), 112-120. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.07.010

Electrochemically driven catalysis of Rhizobium sp. NT-26 arsenite oxidase with its native electron acceptor cytochrome C552

2014

Conference Publication

The Impact of the Ability to Form Hydrogen Bonds on the Activity of Model Systems for Phosphoesterases

Bosch, S., Comba, P., Bernhardt, P. and Gahan, L. (2014). The Impact of the Ability to Form Hydrogen Bonds on the Activity of Model Systems for Phosphoesterases. 16th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC), Grenoble France, 22-26 July 2013. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1095-8

The Impact of the Ability to Form Hydrogen Bonds on the Activity of Model Systems for Phosphoesterases

2014

Conference Publication

Mediated Molybdoenzyme Electrocatalysis

Bernhardt, P. V. (2014). Mediated Molybdoenzyme Electrocatalysis. 16th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC), Grenoble France, 22-26 July 2013. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.

Mediated Molybdoenzyme Electrocatalysis

2013

Journal Article

Kinetic studies on the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by biologically active iron thiosemicarbazone complexes: relevance to iron-chelator-induced methemoglobinemia

Basha, Maram T., Rodríguez, Carlos, Richardson, Des R., Martínez, Manuel and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2013). Kinetic studies on the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by biologically active iron thiosemicarbazone complexes: relevance to iron-chelator-induced methemoglobinemia. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 19 (3), 349-357. doi: 10.1007/s00775-013-1070-9

Kinetic studies on the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by biologically active iron thiosemicarbazone complexes: relevance to iron-chelator-induced methemoglobinemia

2013

Journal Article

Solvent dependent anion dissociation limits copper(i) catalysed atom transfer reactions.

Zerk, Timothy J. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2013). Solvent dependent anion dissociation limits copper(i) catalysed atom transfer reactions.. Dalton Transactions, 42 (32), 11683-11694. doi: 10.1039/c3dt51100f

Solvent dependent anion dissociation limits copper(i) catalysed atom transfer reactions.

2013

Journal Article

Secondary metabolites of the sponge-derived fungus Acremonium persicinum

Suciati, Fraser, James A., Lambert, Lynette K., Pierens, Gregory K., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Garson, Mary J. (2013). Secondary metabolites of the sponge-derived fungus Acremonium persicinum. Journal of Natural Products, 76 (8), 1432-1440. doi: 10.1021/np4002114

Secondary metabolites of the sponge-derived fungus Acremonium persicinum

2013

Journal Article

Electrochemistry, surface plasmon resonance, and quartz crystal microbalance: an associative study on cytochrome c adsorption on pyridine tail-group monolayers on gold

Paulo, Tércio de F., de Sousa, Ticyano P., de Abreu, Dieric S., Felício, Nathalie H., Bernhardt, Paul V., Lopes, Luiz G. de F., Sousa, Eduardo H. S. and Diógenes, Izaura C. N. (2013). Electrochemistry, surface plasmon resonance, and quartz crystal microbalance: an associative study on cytochrome c adsorption on pyridine tail-group monolayers on gold. Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Condensed Matter, Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces & Biophysical, 117 (29), 8673-8680. doi: 10.1021/jp400694k

Electrochemistry, surface plasmon resonance, and quartz crystal microbalance: an associative study on cytochrome c adsorption on pyridine tail-group monolayers on gold

2013

Journal Article

Mediated electrochemistry of nitrate reductase from Arabidopsis thaliana

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Fischer-Schrader, Katrin, Schwarz, Guenter and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2013). Mediated electrochemistry of nitrate reductase from Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 117 (25), 7569-7577. doi: 10.1021/jp404076w

Mediated electrochemistry of nitrate reductase from Arabidopsis thaliana

2013

Journal Article

Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa

Challinor, Victoria L., Chap, Sonet, Lehmann, Reginald P., Bernhardt, Paul V. and De Voss, James J. (2013). Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa. Journal of Natural Products, 76 (4), 485-488. doi: 10.1021/np400035n

Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa

2013

Journal Article

Synthesis of oxygenated cineole derivatives from cineole: utility of cytochrome P450(cin) as an enantioselective catalyst

Farlow, Anthony J., Bernhardt, Paul V. and De Voss, James J. (2013). Synthesis of oxygenated cineole derivatives from cineole: utility of cytochrome P450(cin) as an enantioselective catalyst. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry, 24 (5-6), 324-333. doi: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2013.02.004

Synthesis of oxygenated cineole derivatives from cineole: utility of cytochrome P450(cin) as an enantioselective catalyst

2013

Journal Article

The trivalent copper complex of a conjugated bis-dithiocarbazate schiff base: stabilization of Cu in three different oxidation states

Ali, Mohammad Akbar, Bernhardt, Paul V., Brax, Mathilde A. H., England, Jason, Farlow, Anthony J., Hanson, Graeme R., Yeng, Lee Len, Mirza, Aminul Huq and Wieghardt, Karl (2013). The trivalent copper complex of a conjugated bis-dithiocarbazate schiff base: stabilization of Cu in three different oxidation states. Inorganic Chemistry, 52 (3), 1650-1657. doi: 10.1021/ic302596h

The trivalent copper complex of a conjugated bis-dithiocarbazate schiff base: stabilization of Cu in three different oxidation states

2013

Journal Article

New insights in the formation of five- versus seven-membered platinacycles: a kinetico-mechanistic study

Bernhardt, Paul V., Calvet, Teresa, Crespo, Margarita, Font-Bardía, Mercè, Jansat, Susanna and Martínez, Manuel (2013). New insights in the formation of five- versus seven-membered platinacycles: a kinetico-mechanistic study. Inorganic Chemistry, 52 (1), 474-484. doi: 10.1021/ic3023584

New insights in the formation of five- versus seven-membered platinacycles: a kinetico-mechanistic study

2013

Journal Article

Alkyl substituted 2′-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone chelators with potent and selective anti-neoplastic activity: novel ligands that limit methemoglobin formation

Stefani, Christian, Jansson, Patric J., Gutierrez, Elaine, Bernhardt, Paul V., Richardson, Des R. and Kalinowski, Danuta S. (2013). Alkyl substituted 2′-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone chelators with potent and selective anti-neoplastic activity: novel ligands that limit methemoglobin formation. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 56 (1), 357-370. doi: 10.1021/jm301691s

Alkyl substituted 2′-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone chelators with potent and selective anti-neoplastic activity: novel ligands that limit methemoglobin formation

2013

Journal Article

Template synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of tetradentate SNNS ligands formed by condensation of phthalaldehyde with S-methyldithiocarbazate and N-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide

Ali, Mohammad Akbar, Mirza, Aminul Huq, Mei, Chan Chin, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Karim, Mohammad Rezaul (2013). Template synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of tetradentate SNNS ligands formed by condensation of phthalaldehyde with S-methyldithiocarbazate and N-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide. Polyhedron, 49 (1), 277-283. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2012.10.008

Template synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of tetradentate SNNS ligands formed by condensation of phthalaldehyde with S-methyldithiocarbazate and N-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide

2012

Journal Article

Reversible rearrangements of Cu(II) cage complexes: solvent and anion influences

Bernhardt, Paul V., Font, Helena, Gallego, Carlos, Martinez, Manuel and Rodriguez, Carlos (2012). Reversible rearrangements of Cu(II) cage complexes: solvent and anion influences. Inorganic Chemistry, 51 (22), 12372-12379. doi: 10.1021/ic301696v

Reversible rearrangements of Cu(II) cage complexes: solvent and anion influences

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2029
    Rewiring enzymes for direct electrochemistry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Emergent organocopper complexes as robust catalysts for electrosynthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    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

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    High-Resolution Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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
  • 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
  • 2013 - 2014
    A facility for ex-vivo molecular imaging
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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 - 2008
    An X-Ray Diffraction Facility for Molecular Structure Determination
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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
  • 2000
    Single electron transfer reactions of multi redox centre complexes
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    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
  • 1997 - 1998
    Single electron transfer reactions of multi-redox centre complexes
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Toward Proactive Supramolecular Coordination Compounds
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Single electron transfer reactions of multi-redox centre complexes
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Structurally organised oligonuclear coordination compounds
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Paul Bernhardt is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing novel copper catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using electrosynthesis.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams, Dr Masnun Naher

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigations of Multicomponent Photoredox Reactions

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mass-Transfer Control-Enabled Electrochemical Reactions

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Cantillo

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:

  • Crystallography
  • Electrochemistry
  • Transition metal chemistry

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