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

560 works between 1987 and 2026
All (560) Journal Article (526) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (30) Book Chapter (3)

381 - 400 of 560 works

2005

Journal Article

Immobilisation of electroactive macrocyclic complexes within titania films

Bernhardt, P. V., Kilah, N. L., Meacham, A., Meredith, P. and Vogel, R. (2005). Immobilisation of electroactive macrocyclic complexes within titania films. Dalton Transactions (15), 2508-2515. doi: 10.1039/b505917h

Immobilisation of electroactive macrocyclic complexes within titania films

2005

Journal Article

Tuning the photophysical behavior of luminescent cyclam derivatives by cation binding and excited state redox potential

Moore, E. G., Bernhardt, P. V., Furstenberg, A., Riley, M. J., Smith, T. and Vauthey, E. (2005). Tuning the photophysical behavior of luminescent cyclam derivatives by cation binding and excited state redox potential. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 109 (17), 3788-3796. doi: 10.1021/jp044221t

Tuning the photophysical behavior of luminescent cyclam derivatives by cation binding and excited state redox potential

2005

Journal Article

The 1,3-diaxial dibromo interaction

Bernhardt, P. V., Carman, R. M. and Le, T. T. (2005). The 1,3-diaxial dibromo interaction. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 58 (7), 535-538. doi: 10.1071/CH05043

The 1,3-diaxial dibromo interaction

2005

Journal Article

Nitrogen is a requirement for the photochemical induced 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane skeletal rearrangement!

Williams, C. M., Heim, R. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2005). Nitrogen is a requirement for the photochemical induced 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane skeletal rearrangement!. Tetrahedron, 61 (15), 3771-3779. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2005.02.013

Nitrogen is a requirement for the photochemical induced 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane skeletal rearrangement!

2005

Journal Article

On the steady-state assumption and its application to the rotating disk voltammetry of adsorbed enzymes

Honeychurch, M. J. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2005). On the steady-state assumption and its application to the rotating disk voltammetry of adsorbed enzymes. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 109 (12), 5766-5773. doi: 10.1021/jp0454570

On the steady-state assumption and its application to the rotating disk voltammetry of adsorbed enzymes

2005

Journal Article

Time-resolved spectroscopy of the metal-to-metal charge transfer excited state in dinuclear cyano-bridged mixed-valence complexes

Macpherson, B. P., Bernhardt, P. V., Hauser, A., Pages, S. and Vauthey, E. (2005). Time-resolved spectroscopy of the metal-to-metal charge transfer excited state in dinuclear cyano-bridged mixed-valence complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 44 (15), 5530-5536. doi: 10.1021/ic0506512

Time-resolved spectroscopy of the metal-to-metal charge transfer excited state in dinuclear cyano-bridged mixed-valence complexes

2005

Journal Article

Expedient construction of the vibsanin E core without the use of protecting groups

Heim, Ralf, Wiedemann, Stefan, Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2005). Expedient construction of the vibsanin E core without the use of protecting groups. Organic Letters, 7 (7), 1327-1329. doi: 10.1021/ol0501222

Expedient construction of the vibsanin E core without the use of protecting groups

2005

Journal Article

Intra- vs intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer reactions of a macrocyclic donor-acceptor dyad

Moore, E. G., Bernhardt, P. V., Furstenberg, A., Riley, M. J. and Vauthey, E. (2005). Intra- vs intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer reactions of a macrocyclic donor-acceptor dyad. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 109 (51), 11715-11723. doi: 10.1021/jp0547414

Intra- vs intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer reactions of a macrocyclic donor-acceptor dyad

2004

Conference Publication

Catalytic combustion of model carbon particles (CPs) over Pt/β-SiC catalyst

Pesant, L, Matta, J, Pham-Huu, C, Garin, F, Bernhardt, P, Pham, C and Ledoux, MJ (2004). Catalytic combustion of model carbon particles (CPs) over Pt/β-SiC catalyst. 6th International Congress on Catalysis and Automotive Pollution Control (CAPoC6), Brussels Belgium, Oct 22-24, 2003. NEW YORK: SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS. doi: 10.1023/B:TOCA.0000029763.88137.cb

Catalytic combustion of model carbon particles (CPs) over Pt/β-SiC catalyst

2004

Journal Article

Electrochemical anion recognition with ferrocene functionalised macrocycles

Bernhardt, Paul V. and Creevey, Nicole L. (2004). Electrochemical anion recognition with ferrocene functionalised macrocycles. Journal of the Chemical Society. Dalton Transactions, 4 (6), 914-920. doi: 10.1039/b400538d

Electrochemical anion recognition with ferrocene functionalised macrocycles

2004

Journal Article

Novel one-dimensional structures and solution behaviour of copper(II) bromide and chloride complexes of a new pentapyridyldiamine ligand

Lonnon, David G., Craig, Donald C., Colbran, Stephen B. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2004) Novel one-dimensional structures and solution behaviour of copper(II) bromide and chloride complexes of a new pentapyridyldiamine ligand. Dalton Transactions, 4 5: 778-787. doi:10.1039/b315202b

Novel one-dimensional structures and solution behaviour of copper(II) bromide and chloride complexes of a new pentapyridyldiamine ligand

2004

Book Chapter

Cobalt

Bernhardt, P. V. and Lawrance, G. (2004). Cobalt. Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II: From Biology to Nanotechnology. (pp. 1-145) edited by J. A. McCleverty and T. J. Meyer. Oxford: Elsevier/Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/B0-08-043748-6/05083-0

Cobalt

2004

Journal Article

Synthesis of 1,3-diazepines and ring contraction to cyanopyrroles

Reisinger, Ales, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Wentrup, Curt (2004). Synthesis of 1,3-diazepines and ring contraction to cyanopyrroles. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2 (2), 246-256. doi: 10.1039/b311247k

Synthesis of 1,3-diazepines and ring contraction to cyanopyrroles

2004

Journal Article

Stereocontrol in complexes of cyclam-like macrocycles - influences of chirality

Bernhardt, P. V., Dyahningtyas, T. E., Han, S. C., Harrowfield, J. M., Kim, I. C., Kim, Y., Koutsantonis, G. A., Rukmini, E. and Thuery, P. (2004). Stereocontrol in complexes of cyclam-like macrocycles - influences of chirality. Polyhedron, 23 (5), 869-877. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2003.12.014

Stereocontrol in complexes of cyclam-like macrocycles - influences of chirality

2004

Journal Article

A numerical approach to modeling the catalytic voltammetry of surface-confined redox enzymes

Honeychurch, M. J. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2004). A numerical approach to modeling the catalytic voltammetry of surface-confined redox enzymes. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 108 (40), 15900-15909. doi: 10.1021/jp047808g

A numerical approach to modeling the catalytic voltammetry of surface-confined redox enzymes

2004

Conference Publication

Cytochrome c551 from Starkeya novella - characterization, spectroscopic properties and phylogeny of a diheme protein of the SoxAX family

Kappler, U., Aguey, F.K., Hanson, G. R., Bernhardt, P. V. and McEwan, A. G. (2004). Cytochrome c551 from Starkeya novella - characterization, spectroscopic properties and phylogeny of a diheme protein of the SoxAX family. VAAM (Germany Microbiology Society) Meeting, Braunschweig, 28-31 March, 2004.

Cytochrome c551 from Starkeya novella - characterization, spectroscopic properties and phylogeny of a diheme protein of the SoxAX family

2004

Journal Article

Concerning the proposed structure of (+)-laurobtusol: Spectral discrepancies with synthetic, racemic Stereoisomers

Blanchfield, Joanne T., Chow, Sharon, Bernhardt, Paul V., Kennard, Colin H. L. and Kitching, William (2004). Concerning the proposed structure of (+)-laurobtusol: Spectral discrepancies with synthetic, racemic Stereoisomers. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 57 (7), 673-676. doi: 10.1071/CH04047

Concerning the proposed structure of (+)-laurobtusol: Spectral discrepancies with synthetic, racemic Stereoisomers

2004

Journal Article

Iron catalysed assembly of an asymmetric mixed-ligand triple helicate

Bernhardt, Paul V., Chin, Piao and Richardson, Des R. (2004). Iron catalysed assembly of an asymmetric mixed-ligand triple helicate. Dalton Transactions, 2004 (20), 3342-3346. doi: 10.1039/b408781j

Iron catalysed assembly of an asymmetric mixed-ligand triple helicate

2004

Journal Article

Direct electrochemistry of porcine purple acid phosphatase (uteroferrin)

Bernhardt, P. V., Schenk, G. and Wilson, G. J. (2004). Direct electrochemistry of porcine purple acid phosphatase (uteroferrin). Biochemistry, 43 (32), 10387-10392. doi: 10.1021/bi0490338

Direct electrochemistry of porcine purple acid phosphatase (uteroferrin)

2004

Conference Publication

Ion motive electron transfer pathways involving type II molybdoenzymes of the DMSO reductase family

Mcewan, A. G., Bernhardt, P. V., Creevey, N., Hanson, G. R. and McDevitt, C. A. (2004). Ion motive electron transfer pathways involving type II molybdoenzymes of the DMSO reductase family. 13th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2004), Pisa, Italy, 21-26 Aug 2004. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science Bv. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2004.06.002

Ion motive electron transfer pathways involving type II molybdoenzymes of the DMSO reductase family

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

Past funding

  • 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
  • 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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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

    Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler

  • 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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