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

546 works between 1987 and 2025
All (546) Journal Article (514) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (28) Other Outputs (1)

421 - 440 of 546 works

2003

Journal Article

Bioelectricity: electrocatalysis and beyond

Bernhardt, P. V. (2003). Bioelectricity: electrocatalysis and beyond. Chemistry in Australia, 70 (4), 13-16.

Bioelectricity: electrocatalysis and beyond

2003

Conference Publication

Direct electrochemistry of bacterial molybdoenzymes

Aguey-Zinsou, K. F., Bernhardt, P. V. and McEwan, A. G. (2003). Direct electrochemistry of bacterial molybdoenzymes. 11th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry, Cairns, Australia, 19-23 Jul 2003. New York, NY, USA: Elsevier Science Inc. doi: 10.1016/S0162-0134(03)80545-7

Direct electrochemistry of bacterial molybdoenzymes

2003

Journal Article

Functionalized macrocyclic compounds: potential sensors of small molecules and ions

Bernhardt, P. V. and Moore, E. G. (2003). Functionalized macrocyclic compounds: potential sensors of small molecules and ions. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 56 (4), 239-258. doi: 10.1071/CH02225

Functionalized macrocyclic compounds: potential sensors of small molecules and ions

2003

Journal Article

Rates of electronic energy transfer in conformationally flexible bichromophoric macrocyclic complexes: a combined experimental and molecular modeling study

Moore, E. G., Bernhardt, P. V., Pigliucci, A., Riley, M. J. and Vauthey, E. (2003). Rates of electronic energy transfer in conformationally flexible bichromophoric macrocyclic complexes: a combined experimental and molecular modeling study. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 107 (41), 8396-8403. doi: 10.1021/jp035781f

Rates of electronic energy transfer in conformationally flexible bichromophoric macrocyclic complexes: a combined experimental and molecular modeling study

2003

Journal Article

Electrochemistry of P450cin: new insights into P450 electron transfer

Aguey-Zinsou, Kondo-François, Bernhardt, Paul V., De Voss, James J. and Slessor, Kate E. (2003). Electrochemistry of P450cin: new insights into P450 electron transfer. Chemical Communications, 3 (3), 418-419. doi: 10.1039/b211567k

Electrochemistry of P450cin: new insights into P450 electron transfer

2003

Conference Publication

Probing molecular properties: Direct electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella

Aguey, F.K., Bernhardt, P. V., Kappler, U. and McEwan, A. G. (2003). Probing molecular properties: Direct electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella. Biospektrum, Berlin, 23-26 March, 2003.

Probing molecular properties: Direct electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella

2003

Conference Publication

Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome P450cin : new insights into P450 mechanism

Bernhardt, Paul V., Aguey-Zinsou, Kondo-Francois, De Voss, James J. and Slessor, Kate E. (2003). Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome P450cin : new insights into P450 mechanism. 11th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry, Cairns, Qld, 19-23 July, 2003. New York: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0162-0134(03)80462-2

Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome P450cin : new insights into P450 mechanism

2003

Journal Article

Direct electrochemistry of a bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase

Aguey-Zinsou, Kondo-Francois, Bernhardt, Paul. V., Kappler, Ulrike and McEwan, Alastair G. (2003). Direct electrochemistry of a bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase. Journal of The American Chemical Society, 125 (2), 530-535. doi: 10.1021/ja028293e

Direct electrochemistry of a bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase

2003

Journal Article

Chiral resolution of hexaamine cobalt(III) cages: Substituent effects on chiral discrimination

Bernhardt, P. V., Dyahningtyas, T. E., Harrowfield, J. M., Kim, J. Y., Kim, Y. and Rukmini, E. (2003). Chiral resolution of hexaamine cobalt(III) cages: Substituent effects on chiral discrimination. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 56 (12), 1187-1191. doi: 10.1071/CH03160

Chiral resolution of hexaamine cobalt(III) cages: Substituent effects on chiral discrimination

2003

Conference Publication

Orally active Chelators for the treatment of iron overload diseases

Chin, Alex P., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Richardson, Des R. (2003). Orally active Chelators for the treatment of iron overload diseases. 11th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry, Cairns, Australia, 19-23 July, 2003. New York: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0162-0134(03)80592-5

Orally active Chelators for the treatment of iron overload diseases

2003

Journal Article

Isomers of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-6,13-dicarboxylate characterized as cobalt(III) complexes

Bernhardt, P. V., Hambley, T. W., Lawrance, G. A., Maeder, M. and Wilkes, E. N. (2003). Isomers of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-6,13-dicarboxylate characterized as cobalt(III) complexes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 56 (7), 679-684. doi: 10.1071/CH02246

Isomers of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-6,13-dicarboxylate characterized as cobalt(III) complexes

2002

Journal Article

The first non-turnover voltammetric response from a molybdenum enzyme: direct electroscopy of dimethylsulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus

Aguey, F. K., Bernhardt, P. V., McEwan, A. G. and Ridge, J. P. (2002). The first non-turnover voltammetric response from a molybdenum enzyme: direct electroscopy of dimethylsulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 7 (7-8), 879-883. doi: 10.1007/s00775-002-0374-y

The first non-turnover voltammetric response from a molybdenum enzyme: direct electroscopy of dimethylsulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus

2002

Journal Article

An XPS study of an isomorphous trivalent lanthanoid series

Bernhardt, P. V., Flanagan, B. M., Riley, M. J. and Wood, B. J. (2002). An XPS study of an isomorphous trivalent lanthanoid series. Journal of Electron Spectroscopy And Related Phenomena, 124 (1), 73-77. doi: 10.1016/S0368-2048(02)00011-7

An XPS study of an isomorphous trivalent lanthanoid series

2002

Journal Article

Bis(diethylenetriamine)mercury(II) bis(thiocyanate)

Tran, M. Linh, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Gentle, Ian R. (2002). Bis(diethylenetriamine)mercury(II) bis(thiocyanate). Acta Crystallographica Section E, E58 (4), M150-M151. doi: 10.1107/S1600536802004701

Bis(diethylenetriamine)mercury(II) bis(thiocyanate)

2002

Journal Article

A ligand-field analysis of the trensal (H3trensal = 2,2',2' '-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine) Ligand. An application of the angular overlap model to lanthanides

Flanagan, Bernadine M., Bernhardt, Paul V., Krause, Elmars R., Lüthi, Stefan R. and Riley, Mark J. (2002). A ligand-field analysis of the trensal (H3trensal = 2,2',2' '-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine) Ligand. An application of the angular overlap model to lanthanides. Inorganic Chemistry, 41 (20), 5024-5033. doi: 10.1021/ic011276q

A ligand-field analysis of the trensal (H3trensal = 2,2',2' '-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine) Ligand. An application of the angular overlap model to lanthanides

2002

Journal Article

Crown ether appended cyclam receptors for cationic guests

Bernhardt, P. V. and Hayes, E. J. (2002). Crown ether appended cyclam receptors for cationic guests. Inorganic Chemistry, 41 (11), 2892-2902. doi: 10.1021/ic011232h

Crown ether appended cyclam receptors for cationic guests

2002

Journal Article

Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus: Characterization of a Y114 → F Mutant

Ridge, Justin P., Aguey, Kondo-Francois, Bernhardt, Paul V., Brereton, Ian M., Hanson, Graeme R. and McEwan, Alastair G. (2002). Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus: Characterization of a Y114 → F Mutant. Biochemistry, 41 (52), 15762-15769. doi: 10.1021/bi0266582

Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus: Characterization of a Y114 → F Mutant

2002

Journal Article

Substitution reactions on cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes. Associative tuning by fluoro Ligands and fluorinated substituents

Bernhardt, P. V., Gallego, C., Martinez, M. and Parella, T. (2002). Substitution reactions on cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes. Associative tuning by fluoro Ligands and fluorinated substituents. Inorganic Chemistry, 41 (7), 1747-1754. doi: 10.1021/ic0108179

Substitution reactions on cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes. Associative tuning by fluoro Ligands and fluorinated substituents

2002

Conference Publication

Reactions of tetramethyldiaminomethane with platinum(II) and palladium(II): Hydrolysis of coordinated ligand, and an unusual insertion of the resultant formaldehyde into a C-N bond in a strained chelate ring

Appleton, T. G., Begum, S., Bernhardt, P. V., Bryant, G. K. and Hoang, H. (2002). Reactions of tetramethyldiaminomethane with platinum(II) and palladium(II): Hydrolysis of coordinated ligand, and an unusual insertion of the resultant formaldehyde into a C-N bond in a strained chelate ring. 8th International Conference on the Chemistry of the Platinum Group Metals, Southampton, U.K., July, 2002.

Reactions of tetramethyldiaminomethane with platinum(II) and palladium(II): Hydrolysis of coordinated ligand, and an unusual insertion of the resultant formaldehyde into a C-N bond in a strained chelate ring

2002

Journal Article

Synthesis and structural properties of patellamide a derivatives and their copper(II) compounds

Bernhardt, P. V., Comba, P., Fairlie, D. P., Gahan, L. R., Hanson, G. R. and Lotzbeyer, L. (2002). Synthesis and structural properties of patellamide a derivatives and their copper(II) compounds. Chemistry-a European Journal, 8 (7), 1527-1536. doi: 10.1002/1521-3765(20020402)8:73.3.CO;2-6

Synthesis and structural properties of patellamide a derivatives and their copper(II) compounds

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

    New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore

  • 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

    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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