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

545 works between 1987 and 2025
All (545) Journal Article (513) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (28) Other Outputs (1)

241 - 260 of 545 works

2011

Journal Article

How are "atypical" sulfite deydrogenases linked to cell metabolism? Interactions between the SorT sulfite dehydrogenase and small redox proteins

Low, Louie, Kilmartin, James Ryan, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Kappler, Ulrike (2011). How are "atypical" sulfite deydrogenases linked to cell metabolism? Interactions between the SorT sulfite dehydrogenase and small redox proteins. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2 (MAR), 58-1-58-10. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00058

How are "atypical" sulfite deydrogenases linked to cell metabolism? Interactions between the SorT sulfite dehydrogenase and small redox proteins

2011

Journal Article

Xanthine dehydrogenase electrocatalysis : Autocatalysis and novel activity

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Leimkuhler, Silke and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Xanthine dehydrogenase electrocatalysis : Autocatalysis and novel activity. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 115 (11), 2655-2662. doi: 10.1021/jp111809f

Xanthine dehydrogenase electrocatalysis : Autocatalysis and novel activity

2011

Journal Article

Foreword to the 39th international conference on coordination chemistry bioinorganic research front

Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Foreword to the 39th international conference on coordination chemistry bioinorganic research front. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 64 (3), 229-230. doi: 10.1071/CH11076

Foreword to the 39th international conference on coordination chemistry bioinorganic research front

2011

Journal Article

Preparation and structural characterization of nickel(II), cobalt(II), zinc(II) and tin(IV) complexes of the isatin Schiff bases of S-methyl and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

Ali, M. Akbar, Mirza, A. H., Abu Bakar, Hjh Junaidah Hj and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Preparation and structural characterization of nickel(II), cobalt(II), zinc(II) and tin(IV) complexes of the isatin Schiff bases of S-methyl and S-benzyldithiocarbazates. Polyhedron, 30 (4), 556-564. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2010.11.016

Preparation and structural characterization of nickel(II), cobalt(II), zinc(II) and tin(IV) complexes of the isatin Schiff bases of S-methyl and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

2011

Journal Article

Synthetic and natural products as iron chelators

Sharpe, Philip C., Richardson, Des R., Kalinowski, Danuta S. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Synthetic and natural products as iron chelators. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 11 (5), 591-607. doi: 10.2174/156802611794785163

Synthetic and natural products as iron chelators

2011

Journal Article

Metal Chelation

Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2011). Metal Chelation. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 11 (5), 482-482. doi: 10.2174/156802611794785235

Metal Chelation

2011

Journal Article

The medicinal chemistry of novel iron chelators for the treatment of cancer

Kovacevic, Zaklina, Kalinowski, Danuta S., Lovejoy, David B., Yu, Yu, Rahmanto, Yohan Suryo, Sharpe, Phillip C., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2011). The medicinal chemistry of novel iron chelators for the treatment of cancer. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 11 (5), 483-499. doi: 10.2174/156802611794785190

The medicinal chemistry of novel iron chelators for the treatment of cancer

2011

Journal Article

Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structures of seven-coordinate pentagonal-bipyramidal zinc(II), cadmium(II) and tin(IV) complexes of a pentadentate N3S2 thiosemicarbazone

Ali, Mohammad A., Mirza, Aminul H., Chartres, Jy D. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structures of seven-coordinate pentagonal-bipyramidal zinc(II), cadmium(II) and tin(IV) complexes of a pentadentate N3S2 thiosemicarbazone. Polyhedron, 30 (2), 299-306. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2010.10.027

Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structures of seven-coordinate pentagonal-bipyramidal zinc(II), cadmium(II) and tin(IV) complexes of a pentadentate N3S2 thiosemicarbazone

2011

Journal Article

Cobalt hexaamine mediated electrocatalytic voltammetry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase: Driving force effects on catalysis

Chen, Kuan-I., McEwan, Alastair G. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Cobalt hexaamine mediated electrocatalytic voltammetry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase: Driving force effects on catalysis. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 16 (2), 227-234. doi: 10.1007/s00775-010-0719-x

Cobalt hexaamine mediated electrocatalytic voltammetry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase: Driving force effects on catalysis

2011

Journal Article

Mixed-ligand ternary complexes of potentially pentadentate but functionally tridentate Schiff base chelates

Ali, Mohammed Akbar, Mirza, Aminul Huq, Yee, Chiam Yin, Rahgeni, Hayatti and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Mixed-ligand ternary complexes of potentially pentadentate but functionally tridentate Schiff base chelates. Polyhedron, 30 (3), 542-548. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2010.11.019

Mixed-ligand ternary complexes of potentially pentadentate but functionally tridentate Schiff base chelates

2011

Journal Article

Discrete Rh-III/Fe-II and Rh-III/Fe-II/Co-III cyanide-bridged mixed valence compounds

Bernhardt, Paul V., Martinez, Manuel, Rodriguez, Carlos and Vazquez, Marta (2011). Discrete Rh-III/Fe-II and Rh-III/Fe-II/Co-III cyanide-bridged mixed valence compounds. Inorganic Chemistry, 50 (4), 1429-1440. doi: 10.1021/ic102061s

Discrete Rh-III/Fe-II and Rh-III/Fe-II/Co-III cyanide-bridged mixed valence compounds

2011

Journal Article

Short circuiting a sulfite oxidising enzyme with direct electrochemistry: Active site substitutions and their effect on catalysis and electron transfer

Rapson, TD, Kappler, U, Hanson, GR and Bernhardt, PV (2011). Short circuiting a sulfite oxidising enzyme with direct electrochemistry: Active site substitutions and their effect on catalysis and electron transfer. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-bioenergetics, 1807 (1), 108-118. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2010.09.005

Short circuiting a sulfite oxidising enzyme with direct electrochemistry: Active site substitutions and their effect on catalysis and electron transfer

2011

Conference Publication

Structure and absolute configuration of 3-alkylpiperidine alkaloids from an Indonesian sponge of the genus Halichondria

Mudianta, I. Wayan, Katavic, Peter, Lambert, Lynette Kay, Hayes, Patricia T., Banwell, Martin G., Munro, Murray H. G., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Garson, Mary J. (2011). Structure and absolute configuration of 3-alkylpiperidine alkaloids from an Indonesian sponge of the genus Halichondria. International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products (27th, ISCNP, 2011) and the 7th International Conference on Biodiversity (7th, ICOB, 2011), South Bank, QLD, Australia, 10-15 July 2011.

Structure and absolute configuration of 3-alkylpiperidine alkaloids from an Indonesian sponge of the genus Halichondria

2011

Journal Article

Exploiting the versatility and selectivity of Mo enzymes with electrochemistry

Bernhardt, Paul V. (2011). Exploiting the versatility and selectivity of Mo enzymes with electrochemistry. Chemical Communications, 47 (6), 1663-1673. doi: 10.1039/c0cc03681a

Exploiting the versatility and selectivity of Mo enzymes with electrochemistry

2010

Journal Article

Mediated electrochemistry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase promoted by carbon nanotubes

Geng, W. C., Zhang, L. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2010). Mediated electrochemistry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase promoted by carbon nanotubes. Science China Chemistry, 53 (12), 2560-2563. doi: 10.1007/s11426-010-4162-1

Mediated electrochemistry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase promoted by carbon nanotubes

2010

Journal Article

Synthesis of the sponge-derived plakortone series of bioactive compounds

Hayes, PY, Chow, S, Rahm, F, Bernhardt, PV, De Voss, JJ and Kitching, W (2010). Synthesis of the sponge-derived plakortone series of bioactive compounds. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 75 (19), 6489-6501. doi: 10.1021/jo101224w

Synthesis of the sponge-derived plakortone series of bioactive compounds

2010

Journal Article

A phosphorescent poly(dendrimer) containing iridium(III) complexes: Synthesis and light-emitting properties

Lai, Wen-Yong, Levell, Jack W., Jackson, Andrew C., Lo, Shih-Chun, Bernhardt, Paul V., Samuel, Ifor D. W. and Burn, Paul L. (2010). A phosphorescent poly(dendrimer) containing iridium(III) complexes: Synthesis and light-emitting properties. Macromolecules, 43 (17), 6986-6994. doi: 10.1021/ma101363h

A phosphorescent poly(dendrimer) containing iridium(III) complexes: Synthesis and light-emitting properties

2010

Journal Article

Highly Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sulfite Biosensor Incorporating a Bacterial Sulfite Dehydrogenase

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Tkac, Jan, Kappler, Ulrike, Davis, Jason J. and Bernhardt, Paul V, (2010). Highly Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sulfite Biosensor Incorporating a Bacterial Sulfite Dehydrogenase. Analytical Chemistry, 82 (17), 7374-7379. doi: 10.1021/ac101493y

Highly Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sulfite Biosensor Incorporating a Bacterial Sulfite Dehydrogenase

2010

Journal Article

Novel thiosemicarbazones of the ApT and DpT Series and their copper complexes: Identification of pronounced redox activity and characterization of their antitumor activity

Jansson, Patric J., Sharpe, Philip C., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2010). Novel thiosemicarbazones of the ApT and DpT Series and their copper complexes: Identification of pronounced redox activity and characterization of their antitumor activity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 53 (15), 5759-5769. doi: 10.1021/jm100561b

Novel thiosemicarbazones of the ApT and DpT Series and their copper complexes: Identification of pronounced redox activity and characterization of their antitumor activity

2010

Journal Article

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: Stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo [4.2.0] octa-2,4-dienes

Grange, RL, Gallen, MJ, Schill, H, Johns, JP, Dong, L, Parsons, PG, Reddell, PW, Gordon, VA, Bernhardt, PV and Williams, CM (2010). [4+2] Cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: Stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo [4.2.0] octa-2,4-dienes. Chemistry - A European Journal, 16 (29), 8894-8903. doi: 10.1002/chem.200903454

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: Stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo [4.2.0] octa-2,4-dienes

Current funding

  • 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
  • 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

  • 2023 - 2024
    High-Resolution Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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

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

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

    Quantum Chemistry as a tool for Spectroscopic Analysis

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantum Chemistry as a tool for Spectroscopic Analysis

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of innovative synthetic methodologies: electrochemical Atom Transfer Radical Addition (eATRA) and strained nitrogen ring synthesis 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

    New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:

  • Crystallography
  • Electrochemistry
  • Transition metal chemistry

Need help?

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

communications@uq.edu.au