
Overview
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
Research interests
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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.
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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
Works
Search Professor Paul Bernhardt’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Conference Publication
Viridicatumtoxins: Exploring structural diversity and antibiotic properties
Shang, Z., Salim, A. A., Khalil, Z. G., Quezada, M., Bernhardt, P. V. and Capon, R. J. (2015). Viridicatumtoxins: Exploring structural diversity and antibiotic properties. Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Pharmacognosy, Copper Mountain, CO, United States, 25-29 July 2015. Stuttgart, Germany: Georg Thieme. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1556338
2015
Conference Publication
Cyclic penta- and hexa leucine peptides without N-methylation are orally absorbed
Kok, Woan Mei, Hill, Timothy A., Lohman, Rink-Jan, Hoang, Huy N., Nielsen, Daniel S., Scully, Conor G., Schroeder, Christina I., Colless, Barbara, Bernhardt, Paul V., Edmonds, David, Griffith, David, Rotter, Charles, Ruggeri, Roger, Price, David, Liras, Spiros, Craik, David and Fairlie, David (2015). Cyclic penta- and hexa leucine peptides without N-methylation are orally absorbed. American Chemical Society Meeting, x, 2015. Washington, DC United States: American Chemical Society.
2014
Journal Article
Electrochemically mediated enantioselective reduction of chiral sulfoxides
Chen, Kuan I., Challinor, Victoria L., Kielmann, Linda, Sharpe, Philip C., De Voss, James J., Kappler, Ulrike, McEwan, Alastair G. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Electrochemically mediated enantioselective reduction of chiral sulfoxides. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 20 (2), 395-402. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1215-5
2014
Journal Article
2-Pyridyl thiazoles as novel anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents: structural design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation
Veríssimo de Oliveira Cardoso, Marcos, Pessoa de Siqueira, Lucianna Rabelo, Barbosa da Silva, Elany, Bandeira Costa, Lívia, Zaldini Hernandes, Marcelo, Montenegro Rabello, Marcelo, Salgado Ferreira, Rafaela, Faria da Cruz, Luana, Rodrigo Magalhaes Moreira, Diogo, Rego Alves Pereira, Valeria, Accioly Brelaz de Castro, Maria Carolina, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Lima Leite, Ana Cristina (2014). 2-Pyridyl thiazoles as novel anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents: structural design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 86, 48-59. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.08.012
2014
Journal Article
Dimeric nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of the pentadentate N3S2 chelating agents derived from S-alkyl/aryl esters of dithiocarbazic acid
Mirza, Aminul H., Akbar Ali, Mohammad, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Asri, Izuddin (2014). Dimeric nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of the pentadentate N3S2 chelating agents derived from S-alkyl/aryl esters of dithiocarbazic acid. Polyhedron, 81, 723-727. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2014.07.033
2014
Journal Article
New method for exploring deactivation kinetics in copper-catalyzed atom-transfer-radical reactions
Zerk, Timothy J. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). New method for exploring deactivation kinetics in copper-catalyzed atom-transfer-radical reactions. Inorganic Chemistry, 53 (21), 11351-11353. doi: 10.1021/ic5022005
2014
Journal Article
Cyclic penta- and hexaleucine peptides without N-methylation are orally absorbed
Hill, Timothy A., Lohman, Rink-Jan, Hoang, Huy N., Nielsen, Daniel S., Scully, Conor C. G., Kok, W. Mei, Liu, Ligong, Lucke, Andrew J., Stoermer, Martin J., Schroeder, Christina I., Chaousis, Stephanie, Colless, Barbara, Bernhardt, Paul V., Edmonds, David J., Griffith, David A., Rotter, Charles J., Ruggeri, Roger B., Price, David A., Liras, Spiros, Craik, David J. and Fairlie, David P. (2014). Cyclic penta- and hexaleucine peptides without N-methylation are orally absorbed. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 5 (10), 1148-1151. doi: 10.1021/ml5002823
2014
Journal Article
A sensitive and stable amperometric nitrate biosensor employing Arabidopsis thaliana nitrate reductase
Kalimuthu, Palraj, Fischer-Schrader, Katrin, Schwarz, Gunter and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). A sensitive and stable amperometric nitrate biosensor employing Arabidopsis thaliana nitrate reductase. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 20 (2), 385-393. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1171-0
2014
Journal Article
Catalytic voltammetry of the molybdoenzyme sulfite dehydrogenase from sinorhizobium meliloti
Kalimuthu, Palraj, Kappler, Ulrike and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Catalytic voltammetry of the molybdoenzyme sulfite dehydrogenase from sinorhizobium meliloti. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 118 (25), 7091-7099. doi: 10.1021/jp503963z
2014
Journal Article
Synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures of some zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of the 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates
Mirza, Aminul Huq, Hamid, Malai Haniti S. A., Aripin, Sazwani, Karim, Mohammad Rezaul, Arifuzzaman, Md., Ali, Mohammad Akbar and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures of some zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of the 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates. Polyhedron, 74, 16-23. doi: 10.1016/j.poly.2014.02.016
2014
Journal Article
Attempted synthesis of the imidazylate of an α-hydroxylactone results in unexpected chlorination: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of 5-Chloro-5-deoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-β- l -idurono-6,3-lactone
Mohamed, Shifaza, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Ferro, Vito (2014). Attempted synthesis of the imidazylate of an α-hydroxylactone results in unexpected chlorination: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of 5-Chloro-5-deoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-β- l -idurono-6,3-lactone. Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry, 33 (4), 197-205. doi: 10.1080/07328303.2014.907908
2014
Journal Article
The tachykinin peptide neurokinin B binds copper(I) and silver(I) and undergoes quasi-reversible electrochemistry: towards a new function for the peptide in the brain.
Grosas, Aidan B., Kalimuthu, Palraj, Smith, Alison C., Williams, Peter A., Millar, Thomas J., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Jones, Christopher E. (2014). The tachykinin peptide neurokinin B binds copper(I) and silver(I) and undergoes quasi-reversible electrochemistry: towards a new function for the peptide in the brain.. Neurochemistry International, 70 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.03.002
2014
Journal Article
Computational insights on the geometrical arrangements of Cu(II) with a mixed-donor N3S3 macrobicyclic ligand
Algarra, Andres G., Aullon, Gabriel, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Martinez, Manuel (2014). Computational insights on the geometrical arrangements of Cu(II) with a mixed-donor N3S3 macrobicyclic ligand. Inorganic Chemistry, 53 (1), 512-521. doi: 10.1021/ic402533j
2014
Journal Article
Acanthocyclamine A from the Indonesian marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens
Dewi, Ariyanti S., Hadi, Tri A., Fajarningsih, Nurrahmi D., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Garson, Mary J. (2014). Acanthocyclamine A from the Indonesian marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 67 (8-9), 1205-1210. doi: 10.1071/CH14107
2014
Journal Article
Electrochemically driven catalysis of Rhizobium sp. NT-26 arsenite oxidase with its native electron acceptor cytochrome C552
Kalimuthu, Palraj, Heath, Matthew D., Santini, Joanne M., Kappler, Ulrike and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Electrochemically driven catalysis of Rhizobium sp. NT-26 arsenite oxidase with its native electron acceptor cytochrome C552. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1837 (1), 112-120. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.07.010
2014
Conference Publication
The Impact of the Ability to Form Hydrogen Bonds on the Activity of Model Systems for Phosphoesterases
Bosch, S., Comba, P., Bernhardt, P. and Gahan, L. (2014). The Impact of the Ability to Form Hydrogen Bonds on the Activity of Model Systems for Phosphoesterases. 16th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC), Grenoble France, 22-26 July 2013. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1095-8
2014
Conference Publication
Mediated Molybdoenzyme Electrocatalysis
Bernhardt, P. V. (2014). Mediated Molybdoenzyme Electrocatalysis. 16th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC), Grenoble France, 22-26 July 2013. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.
2013
Journal Article
Kinetic studies on the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by biologically active iron thiosemicarbazone complexes: relevance to iron-chelator-induced methemoglobinemia
Basha, Maram T., Rodríguez, Carlos, Richardson, Des R., Martínez, Manuel and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2013). Kinetic studies on the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by biologically active iron thiosemicarbazone complexes: relevance to iron-chelator-induced methemoglobinemia. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 19 (3), 349-357. doi: 10.1007/s00775-013-1070-9
2013
Journal Article
Solvent dependent anion dissociation limits copper(i) catalysed atom transfer reactions.
Zerk, Timothy J. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2013). Solvent dependent anion dissociation limits copper(i) catalysed atom transfer reactions.. Dalton Transactions, 42 (32), 11683-11694. doi: 10.1039/c3dt51100f
2013
Journal Article
Secondary metabolites of the sponge-derived fungus Acremonium persicinum
Suciati, Fraser, James A., Lambert, Lynette K., Pierens, Gregory K., Bernhardt, Paul V. and Garson, Mary J. (2013). Secondary metabolites of the sponge-derived fungus Acremonium persicinum. Journal of Natural Products, 76 (8), 1432-1440. doi: 10.1021/np4002114
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Paul Bernhardt is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing novel copper catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using electrosynthesis.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams, Dr Masnun Naher
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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
New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
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Doctor Philosophy
Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Immobilisation of human molybdenum enzymes for mediated electrochemical catalysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Electrocatalysis at the Atypical Cu(II)-C bond: Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Studies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Mechanisms of Transition Metal Catalysed Redox Reactions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Monteiro
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Tuning the redox potential of conducting polymeric films
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Philip Sharpe
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The molecular basis for sulfite oxidation in a bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Mediated Electrochemistry of DMSO Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Iron chelators in the treatment of cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Philip Sharpe
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and mechanistic investigations into Dimethylsulfide dehyddrogenase from Rhodovulum sulfidophilum; a moyybdoenzyme from the DMSO reductase family
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
ORALLY ACTIVE CHELATORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF IRON OVERLOAD DISEASES
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
DISCRETE CYANO-BRIDGED MIXED VALENCE SYSTEMS
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
A MACROCYCLIC SCAFFOLD FOR ELECTRONIC ENERGY TRANSFER AND PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER
Principal Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
INORGANIC COMPLEXES AS CANDIDATES FOR ENERGY UPCONVERSION MATERIALS
Principal Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
MACROCYCLIC COMPLEXES AS CHEMICAL RECEPTORS
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Bacterial Cytochromes P450
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Modifications and a Mechanistic Study of the Ley-Griffith Oxidation, and Generation of Hydroxyl Radicals in the Gas Phase
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cytochrome P450cin: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
REDOX PROPERTIES AND MEMBRANE LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN RECOMBINANT CYTOCHROME P450 SYSTEMS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Gillam, Professor James De Voss
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Paul Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:
- Crystallography
- Electrochemistry
- Transition metal chemistry
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