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)

281 - 300 of 545 works

2009

Journal Article

Highly twisted C=C double bonds in 4-methyleneisoxazolones

Kvaskoff, David, Bernhardt, Paul V., Koch, Rainer and Wentrup, Curt (2009). Highly twisted C=C double bonds in 4-methyleneisoxazolones. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 62 (9), 1068-1078. doi: 10.1071/CH09359

Highly twisted C=C double bonds in 4-methyleneisoxazolones

2009

Journal Article

Towards the total synthesis of 3-hydroxyvibsanin E

Schwartz, Brett D., Denton, Justin R., Bernhardt, Paul V., Davies, Huw M. L. and Williams, Craig M. (2009). Towards the total synthesis of 3-hydroxyvibsanin E. Synthesis, 2009 (17), 2840-2846. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1216912

Towards the total synthesis of 3-hydroxyvibsanin E

2009

Journal Article

Thiosemicarbazones from the old to new: Iron chelators that are more than just ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors

Yu, Yu, Kalinowski, Danuta S., Kovacevic, Zaklina, Siafakas, Aritee R., Jansson, Patric J., Stefani, Christian, Lovejoy, David B., Sharpe, Philip C., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2009). Thiosemicarbazones from the old to new: Iron chelators that are more than just ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 52 (17), 5271-5294. doi: 10.1021/jm900552r

Thiosemicarbazones from the old to new: Iron chelators that are more than just ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis of cis-vinyltrimethylstannanes and cis-vinylpinacolboronates in a two-step highly regio and stereoselective process

Mirzayans, Paul Malek, Pouwer, Rebecca H., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Synthesis of cis-vinyltrimethylstannanes and cis-vinylpinacolboronates in a two-step highly regio and stereoselective process. Tetrahedron, 65 (39), 8297-8305. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2009.06.092

Synthesis of cis-vinyltrimethylstannanes and cis-vinylpinacolboronates in a two-step highly regio and stereoselective process

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis and variable coordination modes of a bis-thiophene-appended macrocycle in complex with cobalt(III)

Hasan, Sharizal and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Synthesis and variable coordination modes of a bis-thiophene-appended macrocycle in complex with cobalt(III). Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry, 65 (1), 39-47. doi: 10.1007/s10847-009-9612-z

Synthesis and variable coordination modes of a bis-thiophene-appended macrocycle in complex with cobalt(III)

2009

Journal Article

Molecular Co(III)/Fe(II) cyano-bridged mixed-valence compounds with high nuclearities and diversity of Co(III) coordination environments: Preparative and mechanistic aspects

Bernhardt, Paul V., Martínez, Manuel and Rodríguez, Carlos (2009). Molecular Co(III)/Fe(II) cyano-bridged mixed-valence compounds with high nuclearities and diversity of Co(III) coordination environments: Preparative and mechanistic aspects. Inorganic Chemistry, 48 (11), 4787-4797. doi: 10.1021/ic802198s

Molecular Co(III)/Fe(II) cyano-bridged mixed-valence compounds with high nuclearities and diversity of Co(III) coordination environments: Preparative and mechanistic aspects

2009

Journal Article

Magnetic, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic structural studies on copper(II) complexes of tridentate NNS Schiff base ligands formed from 2-acetylpyrazine and S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

Hamid, Malai Haniti S. A., Ali, Mhammad Akbar, Mirza, Aminul Huq, Bernhardt, Paul V., Moubaraki, Boujemaa and Murray, Keith S. (2009). Magnetic, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic structural studies on copper(II) complexes of tridentate NNS Schiff base ligands formed from 2-acetylpyrazine and S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 362 (10), 3648-3656. doi: 10.1016/j.ica.2009.04.019

Magnetic, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic structural studies on copper(II) complexes of tridentate NNS Schiff base ligands formed from 2-acetylpyrazine and S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

2009

Journal Article

Absolute structures and conformations of the spongian diterpenes spongia-13(16), 14-dien-3-one, epispongiadiol and spongiadiol

Yong, Ken W., L., Garson, Mary J. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Absolute structures and conformations of the spongian diterpenes spongia-13(16), 14-dien-3-one, epispongiadiol and spongiadiol. Acta Crystallographica Section C - Crystal Structure Communications, 65 (4), o167-o170. doi: 10.1107/S0108270109008816

Absolute structures and conformations of the spongian diterpenes spongia-13(16), 14-dien-3-one, epispongiadiol and spongiadiol

2009

Journal Article

Mediated electrochemistry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus

Kuan-I Chen, McEwan, Alastair G. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Mediated electrochemistry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 14 (3), 409-419. doi: 10.1007/s00775-008-0458-4

Mediated electrochemistry of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus

2009

Journal Article

2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones are potent iron chelators and antiproliferative agents: Redox activity, iron complexation and characterization of their antitumor activity

Richardson, Des R., Kalinowski, Danuta S., Richardson, Vera, Sharpe, Philip C., Lovejoy, David B., Islam, Mohammad and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones are potent iron chelators and antiproliferative agents: Redox activity, iron complexation and characterization of their antitumor activity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 52 (5), 1459-1470. doi: 10.1021/jm801585u

2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones are potent iron chelators and antiproliferative agents: Redox activity, iron complexation and characterization of their antitumor activity

2009

Journal Article

Intramolecular electron transfer in sulfite-oxidizing enzymes: Elucidating the role of a conserved active site arginine

Emesh, Safia, Rapson, Trevor D., Rajapakshe, Asha, Kappler, Ulrike, Bernhardt, Paul V., Tollin, Gordon and Enemark, John H. (2009). Intramolecular electron transfer in sulfite-oxidizing enzymes: Elucidating the role of a conserved active site arginine. Biochemistry, 48 (10), 2156-2163. doi: 10.1021/bi801553q

Intramolecular electron transfer in sulfite-oxidizing enzymes: Elucidating the role of a conserved active site arginine

2009

Journal Article

Iron chelators of the dipyridylketone thiosemicarbazone class: Precomplexation and transmetalation effects on anticancer activity

Bernhardt, Paul V., Sharpe, Philip C., Islam, Mohammed, Lovejoy, David B., Kalinowski, Danuta S. and Richardson, Des R. (2009). Iron chelators of the dipyridylketone thiosemicarbazone class: Precomplexation and transmetalation effects on anticancer activity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 52 (2), 407-415. doi: 10.1021/jm801012z

Iron chelators of the dipyridylketone thiosemicarbazone class: Precomplexation and transmetalation effects on anticancer activity

2009

Journal Article

Ring opening and ring expansion of 8-cyano-tetrazolo[1,5-alpha]pyridine with secondary amines. Reactions of azides, tetrazoles and nitrenes with nucleophiles, part 2

Addicott, Chris, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Wentrup, Curt (2009). Ring opening and ring expansion of 8-cyano-tetrazolo[1,5-alpha]pyridine with secondary amines. Reactions of azides, tetrazoles and nitrenes with nucleophiles, part 2. ARKIVOC, 2009 (vi), 30-37. doi: 10.3998/ark.5550190.0010.604

Ring opening and ring expansion of 8-cyano-tetrazolo[1,5-alpha]pyridine with secondary amines. Reactions of azides, tetrazoles and nitrenes with nucleophiles, part 2

2009

Conference Publication

Stereochemistry and biosynthesis of 3-alkylpiperidine alkaloids

Mudianta, I. Wayan, Bernhardt, P.V. and Garson, M.J. (2009). Stereochemistry and biosynthesis of 3-alkylpiperidine alkaloids. 42nd Congress of IUPAC, Glasgow, Scotland, 2-7 August 2009.

Stereochemistry and biosynthesis of 3-alkylpiperidine alkaloids

2009

Book Chapter

Communication with the mononuclear molybdoenzymes: Emerging opportunities and applications in redox enzyme biosensors

Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Communication with the mononuclear molybdoenzymes: Emerging opportunities and applications in redox enzyme biosensors. Engineering the Bioelectronic Interface: Applications to Analyte Biosensing and Protein Detection. (pp. 1-24) edited by Davis, J.. Cambridge, UK: The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Communication with the mononuclear molybdoenzymes: Emerging opportunities and applications in redox enzyme biosensors

2009

Journal Article

Communication with the Mononuclear Molybdoenzymes: Emerging Opportunities and Applications in Redox Enzyme Biosensors

Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Communication with the Mononuclear Molybdoenzymes: Emerging Opportunities and Applications in Redox Enzyme Biosensors. Engineering the Bioelectronic Interface: Applications to Analyte Biosensing and Protein Detection, 1-24. doi: 10.1039/9781847559777-00001

Communication with the Mononuclear Molybdoenzymes: Emerging Opportunities and Applications in Redox Enzyme Biosensors

2009

Journal Article

The absolute configurations of haliclonacyclamines A and B determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis

Mudianta, I. Wayan, Garson, Mary J. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). The absolute configurations of haliclonacyclamines A and B determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 62 (7), 667-670. doi: 10.1071/CH09128

The absolute configurations of haliclonacyclamines A and B determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis

2009

Conference Publication

Structure and absolute configuration of Tetradehydrohaliclonacyclamine A, a new alkaloid from an Indonesian sponge of the genus Halichondria

Mudianta, I Wayan, Lambert, L.K., Bernhardt, P.V. and Garson, M.J. (2009). Structure and absolute configuration of Tetradehydrohaliclonacyclamine A, a new alkaloid from an Indonesian sponge of the genus Halichondria. International Conference on Medicinal Chemistry, Bandung, Indonesia, 6-8 August, 2009.

Structure and absolute configuration of Tetradehydrohaliclonacyclamine A, a new alkaloid from an Indonesian sponge of the genus Halichondria

2008

Journal Article

A mechanistic and electrochemical study of the interaction between dimethyl sulfide dehydrogenase and its electron transfer partner cytochrome c(2)

Creevey, Nicole L., McEwan, Alastair G. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). A mechanistic and electrochemical study of the interaction between dimethyl sulfide dehydrogenase and its electron transfer partner cytochrome c(2). Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 13 (8), 1231-1238. doi: 10.1007/s00775-008-0406-3

A mechanistic and electrochemical study of the interaction between dimethyl sulfide dehydrogenase and its electron transfer partner cytochrome c(2)

2008

Journal Article

End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A

Schwartz, Brett D., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, 4 (1) 34, 1-9. doi: 10.3762/bjoc.4.34

End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A

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

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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

    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

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