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)

61 - 80 of 545 works

2021

Journal Article

Tandem oxidation-dehydrogenation of (hetero)arylated primary alcohols via perruthenate catalysis

Bettencourt, Christian J., Chow, Sharon, Moore, Peter W., Read, Christopher D. G., Jiao, Yanxiao, Bakker, Jan Peter, Zhao, Sheng, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Williams, Craig M. (2021). Tandem oxidation-dehydrogenation of (hetero)arylated primary alcohols via perruthenate catalysis. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 74 (9), 652-659. doi: 10.1071/ch21137

Tandem oxidation-dehydrogenation of (hetero)arylated primary alcohols via perruthenate catalysis

2021

Journal Article

Does H3O+ really act as a ligand in the solid state?

Blackman, Allan G., Jelley, Rebecca E., Krenske, Elizabeth H., Gahan, Lawrence R. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2021). Does H3O+ really act as a ligand in the solid state?. Inorganic Chemistry, 60 (17) acs.inorgchem.1c01485, 13071-13079. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01485

Does H3O+ really act as a ligand in the solid state?

2021

Journal Article

A highly sensitive and stable electrochemical nitrate biosensor

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Kruse, Tobias and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2021). A highly sensitive and stable electrochemical nitrate biosensor. Electrochimica Acta, 386 138480, 138480. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138480

A highly sensitive and stable electrochemical nitrate biosensor

2021

Journal Article

Synthesis, isolation and characterisation of fluorinated‐benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers

Lim, Ting Xiang, Pierens, Gregory K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Ahamed, Muneer and Reutens, David C. (2021). Synthesis, isolation and characterisation of fluorinated‐benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 59 (11) mrc.5193, 1154-1159. doi: 10.1002/mrc.5193

Synthesis, isolation and characterisation of fluorinated‐benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers

2021

Journal Article

Mapping the pathway to organocopper(II) complexes relevant to atom transfer radical polymerization

Gonzálvez, Miguel A., Harmer, Jeffrey R. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2021). Mapping the pathway to organocopper(II) complexes relevant to atom transfer radical polymerization. Inorganic Chemistry, 60 (14) acs.inorgchem.1c01309, 10648-10655. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01309

Mapping the pathway to organocopper(II) complexes relevant to atom transfer radical polymerization

2021

Journal Article

Electrochemical exploration of active Cu-based atom transfer radical polymerization catalysis through ligand modification

Melville, Jamie N. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2021). Electrochemical exploration of active Cu-based atom transfer radical polymerization catalysis through ligand modification. Inorganic Chemistry, 60 (13) acs.inorgchem.1c01001, 1-11. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01001

Electrochemical exploration of active Cu-based atom transfer radical polymerization catalysis through ligand modification

2021

Journal Article

Experimental and theoretical approaches for the development of 4H-Chromene derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosinase

Canavieira, Luciana Morais, Brasil, Edikarlos Macedo, Silva, Thiago de Melo e, Borges, Rosivaldo dos Santos, Silva, José Rogério Araújo, Lameira, Jerônimo, Bernhardt, Paul V., Williams, Craig M. and Alves, Cláudio Nahum (2021). Experimental and theoretical approaches for the development of 4H-Chromene derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosinase. Molecular Simulation, 47 (9), 762-770. doi: 10.1080/08927022.2021.1926455

Experimental and theoretical approaches for the development of 4H-Chromene derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosinase

2021

Journal Article

Deconstructing the electron transfer chain in a complex molybdoenzyme: assimilatory nitrate reductase from Neurospora crassa

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Kruse, Tobias and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2021). Deconstructing the electron transfer chain in a complex molybdoenzyme: assimilatory nitrate reductase from Neurospora crassa. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Bioenergetics, 1862 (3) 148358, 148358. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148358

Deconstructing the electron transfer chain in a complex molybdoenzyme: assimilatory nitrate reductase from Neurospora crassa

2021

Journal Article

Neobulgarones revisited: anti and syn bianthrones from an Australian mud dauber wasp nest-associated fungus, Penicillium sp. CMB-MD22

Elbanna, Ahmed H., Khalil, Zeinab G., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Capon, Robert J. (2021). Neobulgarones revisited: anti and syn bianthrones from an Australian mud dauber wasp nest-associated fungus, Penicillium sp. CMB-MD22. Journal of Natural Products, 84 (3) acs.jnatprod.0c01035, 762-770. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01035

Neobulgarones revisited: anti and syn bianthrones from an Australian mud dauber wasp nest-associated fungus, Penicillium sp. CMB-MD22

2021

Journal Article

Amaurones A–K: polyketides from the fish gut-derived Fungus Amauroascus sp. CMB-F713

Wu, Taizong, Salim, Angela A., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Capon, Robert J. (2021). Amaurones A–K: polyketides from the fish gut-derived Fungus Amauroascus sp. CMB-F713. Journal of Natural Products, 84 (2) acs.jnatprod.0c01343, 474-482. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01343

Amaurones A–K: polyketides from the fish gut-derived Fungus Amauroascus sp. CMB-F713

2021

Journal Article

Understanding the mechanistic requirements for efficient and stereoselective alkene epoxidation by a cytochrome P450 enzyme

Coleman, Tom, Kirk, Alicia M., Chao, Rebecca R., Podgorski, Matthew N., Harbort, Joshua S., Churchman, Luke R., Bruning, John B., Bernhardt, Paul V., Harmer, Jeffrey R., Krenske, Elizabeth H., De Voss, James J. and Bell, Stephen G. (2021). Understanding the mechanistic requirements for efficient and stereoselective alkene epoxidation by a cytochrome P450 enzyme. ACS Catalysis, 11 (4), 1995-2010. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04872

Understanding the mechanistic requirements for efficient and stereoselective alkene epoxidation by a cytochrome P450 enzyme

2021

Journal Article

Active site architecture reveals coordination sphere flexibility and specificity determinants in a group of closely related molybdoenzymes

Struwe, Michel A., Kalimuthu, Palraj, Luo, Zhenyao, Zhong, Qifeng, Ellis, Daniel, Yang, Jing, Khadanand, K.C., Harmer, Jeffrey R., Kirk, Martin L., McEwan, Alastair G., Clement, Bernd, Bernhardt, Paul V., Kobe, Bostjan and Kappler, Ulrike (2021). Active site architecture reveals coordination sphere flexibility and specificity determinants in a group of closely related molybdoenzymes. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 296 100672, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100672

Active site architecture reveals coordination sphere flexibility and specificity determinants in a group of closely related molybdoenzymes

2021

Journal Article

Nickel coordination chemistry of bis(dithiocarbazate) Schiff base ligands; metal and ligand centred redox reactions

Bilyj, Jessica K., Silajew, Nicole V. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2021). Nickel coordination chemistry of bis(dithiocarbazate) Schiff base ligands; metal and ligand centred redox reactions. Dalton Transactions, 50 (2), 612-623. doi: 10.1039/d0dt03204b

Nickel coordination chemistry of bis(dithiocarbazate) Schiff base ligands; metal and ligand centred redox reactions

2020

Journal Article

Structural characterisation of new ionic liquids via X-ray crystallography

Ghorbani, Mahdi, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Simone, Michela I. (2020). Structural characterisation of new ionic liquids via X-ray crystallography. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 319 114091, 114091. doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114091

Structural characterisation of new ionic liquids via X-ray crystallography

2020

Journal Article

Crystal structure of 6-azido-6-deoxy-1,2-O-iso-propylidene-a-D-glucofuranose

Wood, Adam, Bernhardt, Paul V., van Altena, Ian and Simone, Michela I. (2020). Crystal structure of 6-azido-6-deoxy-1,2-O-iso-propylidene-a-D-glucofuranose. Acta Crystallographica Section E: Crystallographic Communications, 76 (10), 1653-1656. doi: 10.1107/S2056989020012438

Crystal structure of 6-azido-6-deoxy-1,2-O-iso-propylidene-a-D-glucofuranose

2020

Journal Article

Synthetic tigliane intermediates engage thiols to induce potent cell line selective anti‐cancer activity

Chow, Sharon, Krainz, Tanja, Bettencourt, Christian J., Broit, Natasa, Ferguson, Blake, Zhu, Mingzhao, Hull, Kenneth G., Pierens, Gregory K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Parsons, Peter G., Romo, Daniel, Boyle, Glen M. and Williams, Craig M. (2020). Synthetic tigliane intermediates engage thiols to induce potent cell line selective anti‐cancer activity. Chemistry: A European Journal, 26 (59) chem.202003221, 13372-13377. doi: 10.1002/chem.202003221

Synthetic tigliane intermediates engage thiols to induce potent cell line selective anti‐cancer activity

2020

Journal Article

The fundamental importance of basic science: examples of high-impact discoveries from an international chemistry network

Lopes, Luiz G.F., Sadler, Peter J., Bernardes-Génisson, Vânia, Moura, José J.G., Chauvin, Remi, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Sousa, Eduardo H.S. (2020). The fundamental importance of basic science: examples of high-impact discoveries from an international chemistry network. Quimica Nova, 43 (8), 1-14. doi: 10.21577/0100-4042.20170584

The fundamental importance of basic science: examples of high-impact discoveries from an international chemistry network

2020

Journal Article

Cytochrome c reductase is a key enzyme involved in the extracellular electron transfer pathway towards transition metal complexes in Pseudomonas putida

Lai, Bin, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Krömer, Jens O. (2020). Cytochrome c reductase is a key enzyme involved in the extracellular electron transfer pathway towards transition metal complexes in Pseudomonas putida. ChemSusChem, 13 (19) cssc.202001645, 5308-5317. doi: 10.1002/cssc.202001645

Cytochrome c reductase is a key enzyme involved in the extracellular electron transfer pathway towards transition metal complexes in Pseudomonas putida

2020

Journal Article

Kalparinol, a Salvialane (Isodaucane) sesquiterpenoid derived from native Australian dysphania species that suggests a putative biogenetic link to zerumbone

Tan, Yuen Ping, Savchenko, Andrei I., Agnew-Francis, Kylie A., Boyle, Glen M., Bernhardt, Paul V., Fraser, James A. and Williams, Craig M. (2020). Kalparinol, a Salvialane (Isodaucane) sesquiterpenoid derived from native Australian dysphania species that suggests a putative biogenetic link to zerumbone. Journal of Natural Products, 83 (5) acs.jnatprod.9b01039, 1473-1479. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01039

Kalparinol, a Salvialane (Isodaucane) sesquiterpenoid derived from native Australian dysphania species that suggests a putative biogenetic link to zerumbone

2020

Journal Article

Dysidealactams and dysidealactones: sesquiterpene glycinyl-lactams, imides, and lactones from a Dysidea sp. marine sponge collected in Southern Australia

Khushi, Shamsunnahar, Salim, Angela A., Elbanna, Ahmed H., Nahar, Laizuman, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Capon, Robert J. (2020). Dysidealactams and dysidealactones: sesquiterpene glycinyl-lactams, imides, and lactones from a Dysidea sp. marine sponge collected in Southern Australia. Journal of Natural Products, 83 (5) acs.jnatprod.0c00041, 1577-1584. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00041

Dysidealactams and dysidealactones: sesquiterpene glycinyl-lactams, imides, and lactones from a Dysidea sp. marine sponge collected in Southern Australia

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

    Quantum Chemistry as a tool for Spectroscopic Analysis

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:

  • Crystallography
  • Electrochemistry
  • Transition metal chemistry

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