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)

301 - 320 of 545 works

2008

Journal Article

The effects of pendant vs. fused thiophene attachment upon the luminescence lifetimes and electrochemistry of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

Nurkkala, Lasse J., Steen, Robert O., Friberg, Henrik K. J., Häggström, Johanna A., Bernhardt, Paul V., Riley, Mark J. and Dunne, Simon J. (2008). The effects of pendant vs. fused thiophene attachment upon the luminescence lifetimes and electrochemistry of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2008 (26), 4101-4110. doi: 10.1002/ejic.200800456

The effects of pendant vs. fused thiophene attachment upon the luminescence lifetimes and electrochemistry of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

2008

Journal Article

Exploiting the Anders-Gassner variant on the Wittig reaction: new methodology for the synthesis of 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol esters

Schwartz, Brett D., Williams, Craig M., Anders, Ernst and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). Exploiting the Anders-Gassner variant on the Wittig reaction: new methodology for the synthesis of 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol esters. Tetrahedron, 64 (27), 6482-6487. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2008.04.068

Exploiting the Anders-Gassner variant on the Wittig reaction: new methodology for the synthesis of 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol esters

2008

Journal Article

SoxAX cytochromes, a new type of heme copper protein involved in bacterial energy generation from sulfur compounds

Kappler, U., Bernhardt, P.V., Kilmartin, J., Riley, M.J., Teschner, J., McKenzie, K.J. and Hanson, G.R. (2008). SoxAX cytochromes, a new type of heme copper protein involved in bacterial energy generation from sulfur compounds. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (32), 22206-22214. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M800315200

SoxAX cytochromes, a new type of heme copper protein involved in bacterial energy generation from sulfur compounds

2008

Journal Article

Direct catalytic electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase: Mechanistic insights and contrasts with related Mo enzymes

Rapson, Trevor D., Kappler, Ulrike and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). Direct catalytic electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase: Mechanistic insights and contrasts with related Mo enzymes. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-bioenergetics, 1777 (10), 1319-1325. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2008.06.005

Direct catalytic electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase: Mechanistic insights and contrasts with related Mo enzymes

2008

Journal Article

The role of isomeric effects on the luminescence lifetimes and electrochemistry of oligothienyl-bridged dinuclear tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) complexes

Steen, Robert O., Nurkkala, Lasse J., Angus-Dunne, Sarah J., Schmitt, Chantal X., Constable, Edwin C., Riley, Mark J., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Dunne, Simon J. (2008). The role of isomeric effects on the luminescence lifetimes and electrochemistry of oligothienyl-bridged dinuclear tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) complexes. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2008 (11), 1784-1794. doi: 10.1002/ejic.200701118

The role of isomeric effects on the luminescence lifetimes and electrochemistry of oligothienyl-bridged dinuclear tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) complexes

2008

Journal Article

Thermodynamic characterization of the redox centers within dimethylsulfide dehydrogenase

Creevey, N.L., McEwan, A.G., Hanson, G.R. and Bernhardt, P.V. (2008). Thermodynamic characterization of the redox centers within dimethylsulfide dehydrogenase. Biochemistry, 47 (12), 3770-3776. doi: 10.1021/bi702444r

Thermodynamic characterization of the redox centers within dimethylsulfide dehydrogenase

2008

Journal Article

Solvochromic effects in model eumelanin compounds

Nighswander-Rempel, Stephen P., Mahadevan, Indumathy B., Bernhardt, Paul V., Butcher, Jessica and Meredith, Paul (2008). Solvochromic effects in model eumelanin compounds. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 84 (3), 620-626. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00290.x

Solvochromic effects in model eumelanin compounds

2008

Journal Article

Preparation, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystal and molecular structures of nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the Schiff base formed from isatin and S-methyldithiocarbazate (Hisa-sme)

Akbar Ali, M., Abu Bakar, Junaidah Hj, Mirza, A. H., Smith, S. J., Gahan, L. R. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). Preparation, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystal and molecular structures of nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the Schiff base formed from isatin and S-methyldithiocarbazate (Hisa-sme). Polyhedron, 27 (1), 71-79. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2007.08.022

Preparation, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystal and molecular structures of nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the Schiff base formed from isatin and S-methyldithiocarbazate (Hisa-sme)

2008

Journal Article

Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of diphenyltin(IV)complexes of acetone Schiff bases of S-alkyldithiocarbazates

Ali, M.A., Mirza, A.H., Hamid, M.H.A.A., Bernhardt, P.V., Atchade, O., Song, X., Eng, G. and May, L. (2008). Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of diphenyltin(IV)complexes of acetone Schiff bases of S-alkyldithiocarbazates. Polyhedron, 27 (27), 977-984. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2007.11.030

Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of diphenyltin(IV)complexes of acetone Schiff bases of S-alkyldithiocarbazates

2008

Journal Article

Tuning the antiproliferative activity of biologically active iron chelators: characterization of the coordination chemistry and biological efficacy of 2-acetylpyridine and 2-benzoylpyridine hydrazone ligands

Bernhardt, P.V., Wilson, G.J., Sharpe, P.C., Kalinowski, D.S. and Richardson, D.R. (2008). Tuning the antiproliferative activity of biologically active iron chelators: characterization of the coordination chemistry and biological efficacy of 2-acetylpyridine and 2-benzoylpyridine hydrazone ligands. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 13 (1), 107-119. doi: 10.1007/s00775-007-0300-4

Tuning the antiproliferative activity of biologically active iron chelators: characterization of the coordination chemistry and biological efficacy of 2-acetylpyridine and 2-benzoylpyridine hydrazone ligands

2008

Journal Article

Twisted push-pull ethylenes

Naduvile Veedu, Rakesh, Bernhardt, Paul V., Koch, Rainer and Wentrup, Curt (2008). Twisted push-pull ethylenes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 61 (10), 805-812. doi: 10.1071/CH08277

Twisted push-pull ethylenes

2008

Journal Article

Structure-activity relationships of novel iron chelators for the treatment of iron overload disease: The methyl pyrazinylketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone series

Kalinowski, Danuta S., Sharpe, Philip C., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2008). Structure-activity relationships of novel iron chelators for the treatment of iron overload disease: The methyl pyrazinylketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone series. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 51 (2), 331-344. doi: 10.1021/jm7012562

Structure-activity relationships of novel iron chelators for the treatment of iron overload disease: The methyl pyrazinylketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone series

2008

Journal Article

Tailoring mixed-valence Co-III/Fe-II complexes for their potential use as sensitizers in dye sensitized solar cells

Bernhardt, Paul V., Boschloo, Gerrit K., Bozoglian, Fernando, Hagfeldt, Anders, Martinez, Manuel and Sienrad, Beatriz (2008). Tailoring mixed-valence Co-III/Fe-II complexes for their potential use as sensitizers in dye sensitized solar cells. New Journal of Chemistry, 32 (4), 705-711. doi: 10.1039/b716855a

Tailoring mixed-valence Co-III/Fe-II complexes for their potential use as sensitizers in dye sensitized solar cells

2007

Journal Article

The influence of ligand substitution at the electron donor center in molecular cyano-bridged mixed-valent CoIII/FeII and CoIII/RuII complexes

Bernhardt, Paul V., Bozoglian, Fernando, Font-Bardía, Mercè, Martínez, Manuel, Meacham, Andrew P., Sienra, Beatriz and Solans, Xavier (2007). The influence of ligand substitution at the electron donor center in molecular cyano-bridged mixed-valent CoIII/FeII and CoIII/RuII complexes. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2007 (33), 5270-5276. doi: 10.1002/ejic.200700731

The influence of ligand substitution at the electron donor center in molecular cyano-bridged mixed-valent CoIII/FeII and CoIII/RuII complexes

2007

Journal Article

Design, synthesis, and characterization of new iron chelators with anti-proliferative activity: Structure-activity relationships of novel thiohydrazone analogues

Kalinowski, DS, Sharpe, PC, Bernhardt, PV and Richardson, DR (2007). Design, synthesis, and characterization of new iron chelators with anti-proliferative activity: Structure-activity relationships of novel thiohydrazone analogues. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 50 (24), 6212-6225. doi: 10.1021/jm070839q

Design, synthesis, and characterization of new iron chelators with anti-proliferative activity: Structure-activity relationships of novel thiohydrazone analogues

2007

Journal Article

PrrC, a Sco homologue from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, possesses thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase activity

Badrick, Alison C., Hamilton, Amanda J., Bernhardt, Paul V., Jones, Christopher E., Kappler, Ulrike, Jennings, Michael P. and McEwan, Alastair G. (2007). PrrC, a Sco homologue from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, possesses thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase activity. FEBS Letters, 581 (24), 4663-4667. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.08.058

PrrC, a Sco homologue from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, possesses thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase activity

2007

Journal Article

Investigating direct access to 2-oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6 pi-electrocyclisation

Pouwer, Rebecca H., Schill, Heiko, Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2007). Investigating direct access to 2-oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6 pi-electrocyclisation. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2007 (28), 4699-4705. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200700367

Investigating direct access to 2-oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6 pi-electrocyclisation

2007

Journal Article

Bis{methyl [1-(6-acetyl-2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbodithioato}nickel(II)

Ali, Mohammad Akbar, Mirza, Aminul Huq and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2007). Bis{methyl [1-(6-acetyl-2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbodithioato}nickel(II). Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online, 63 (9), m2255-m2255. doi: 10.1107/S1600536807037129

Bis{methyl [1-(6-acetyl-2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbodithioato}nickel(II)

2007

Journal Article

Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel iron chelators: Structure-activity relationships of the 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone series and their 3-nitrobenzoyl analogues as potent antitumor agents

Kalinowski, D. S., Yu, Y., Sharpe, P. C., Islam, M., Liao, Y. T., Lovejoy, D. B., Kumar, N., Bernhardt, P. V. and Richardson, D. R. (2007). Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel iron chelators: Structure-activity relationships of the 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone series and their 3-nitrobenzoyl analogues as potent antitumor agents. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 50 (15), 3716-3729. doi: 10.1021/jm070445z

Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel iron chelators: Structure-activity relationships of the 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone series and their 3-nitrobenzoyl analogues as potent antitumor agents

2007

Journal Article

Hydrazone chelators for the treatment of iron overload disorders: iron coordination chemistry and biological activity

Bernhardt, Paul V., Chin, Piao, Sharpe, Philip C. and Richardson, Des R. (2007). Hydrazone chelators for the treatment of iron overload disorders: iron coordination chemistry and biological activity. Dalton Transactions, 2007 (30), 3232-3244. doi: 10.1039/b704102k

Hydrazone chelators for the treatment of iron overload disorders: iron coordination chemistry and biological activity

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

    Quantum Chemistry as a tool for Spectroscopic Analysis

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    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

  • 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

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