Visualising molecular level detail in single cells and intact tissues. The goal of this project is to deliver a new toolkit for imaging cells at an unprecedented resolution and level of chemical detail. We will expand the capabilities of two existing, but complementary, methods: optical fluorescence microscopy with responsive probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Expected outcomes include improved techniques and benchmarks for visualising bacterial and mammalian cells; development of new molecu ....Visualising molecular level detail in single cells and intact tissues. The goal of this project is to deliver a new toolkit for imaging cells at an unprecedented resolution and level of chemical detail. We will expand the capabilities of two existing, but complementary, methods: optical fluorescence microscopy with responsive probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Expected outcomes include improved techniques and benchmarks for visualising bacterial and mammalian cells; development of new molecules for elucidating cellular chemistry; better utilisation of valuable synchrotron resources; and greater understanding of the strengths and limitations of current microscopy workflows. Results should benefit the biotechnology sector, and may lead to improved medical, diagnostic, and bioremediation capacity.Read moreRead less
Understanding how cells store and use iron . This project aims to understand the mechanism and function of the protein nanocage, ferritin, which stores iron in the body ready for use on demand. Iron is an essential element, vital for wellbeing. To understand iron we need to understand ferritin. Despite being widely studied, how ferritin actually works remains unclear. This project aims to use an interdisciplinary approach combining protein biochemistry, spectroscopy, genetics and whole organism ....Understanding how cells store and use iron . This project aims to understand the mechanism and function of the protein nanocage, ferritin, which stores iron in the body ready for use on demand. Iron is an essential element, vital for wellbeing. To understand iron we need to understand ferritin. Despite being widely studied, how ferritin actually works remains unclear. This project aims to use an interdisciplinary approach combining protein biochemistry, spectroscopy, genetics and whole organism studies. It will develop new techniques to enable the physiological role of iron to be explored. Outcomes of this innovative platform are anticipated to include in-depth understanding of how ferritin functions to unravel its fundamental role in iron storage and release ready for re-use.Read moreRead less
Mycobacterial Cholesterol Degradation: A Unique Metabolic Weakness? This project aims to understand the use of the steroid cholesterol as a source of essential metabolic building blocks by bacteria. Cholesterol utilisation is a key feature of many bacterial pathogens which have evolved to survive in niche environments. By understanding the initial step in cholesterol degradation and the bioinorganic and bioorganic chemistry of the metalloenzymes that catalyse it, this work aims to develop strate ....Mycobacterial Cholesterol Degradation: A Unique Metabolic Weakness? This project aims to understand the use of the steroid cholesterol as a source of essential metabolic building blocks by bacteria. Cholesterol utilisation is a key feature of many bacterial pathogens which have evolved to survive in niche environments. By understanding the initial step in cholesterol degradation and the bioinorganic and bioorganic chemistry of the metalloenzymes that catalyse it, this work aims to develop strategies to block this activity. This will turn a key strength of these bacteria into a potent weakness and will generate the proof of principle and knowledge required for the future development of effective strategies to combat pathogenic bacteria.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the potential of multiphoton photoredox catalysis. Photoredox catalysis promises sustainable alternatives to synthesise high-value chemicals using energy converted from visible light. The project aims to address the current lack of understanding about how these reactions operate at the molecular level, using innovative electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The expected outcomes include new catalytic systems containing multiple light-driven steps that provide reactivities beyond ....Unlocking the potential of multiphoton photoredox catalysis. Photoredox catalysis promises sustainable alternatives to synthesise high-value chemicals using energy converted from visible light. The project aims to address the current lack of understanding about how these reactions operate at the molecular level, using innovative electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The expected outcomes include new catalytic systems containing multiple light-driven steps that provide reactivities beyond those attainable in single-photon cycles. These will be applied to challenging modifications of large biomolecules under mild aqueous conditions. Anticipated benefits include adding value to Australia’s growing chemical industry through efficient green syntheses with reduced dependence on toxic solvents.Read moreRead less
Earth Abundant Metal Complexes for Nitrogen Activation. This project aims to develop a range of complexes based around earth abundant metals that are capable of activating nitrogen (N2) at ambient pressure and temperature. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of organometallic chemistry, specifically with regards to molecular metal-metal bonding and subsequent reactivity towards the activation of nitrogen. The activation of atmospheric nitrogen is performed on a multi-millio ....Earth Abundant Metal Complexes for Nitrogen Activation. This project aims to develop a range of complexes based around earth abundant metals that are capable of activating nitrogen (N2) at ambient pressure and temperature. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of organometallic chemistry, specifically with regards to molecular metal-metal bonding and subsequent reactivity towards the activation of nitrogen. The activation of atmospheric nitrogen is performed on a multi-million tonne scale each year and is key to a number of industrial processes. As such, investigations into new and improved catalysts for this process would potentially bring huge financial benefits to industry, as well as benefiting the environment by reducing energy demand and associated climate change.Read moreRead less
Discovering New Chemistry and Potential Applications of Metal Tetrapyrroles. This project aims to make fundamental advances in inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry by preparing new metal-containing molecules based on specifically designed tetrapyrrole ligands. Innovative synthetic methods will be developed to enable systematic chemical modifications to explore the chemical and biological properties of the metal complexes. The potential of the new molecules to be ....Discovering New Chemistry and Potential Applications of Metal Tetrapyrroles. This project aims to make fundamental advances in inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry by preparing new metal-containing molecules based on specifically designed tetrapyrrole ligands. Innovative synthetic methods will be developed to enable systematic chemical modifications to explore the chemical and biological properties of the metal complexes. The potential of the new molecules to be of use as tracers for molecular imaging will be investigated. An expected outcome of this research will be an increased understanding of how chemical properties dictate the biological activity of metal complexes informing the potential long-term translation of this chemistry to to new molecular diagnostics and therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance with Bismuth, Gallium and Indium. This research project focuses on the design, development, and application of new bismuth, gallium and indium compounds as antimicrobial agents. These metals act as iron mimics in vivo and can exert antimicrobial activity while displaying low systemic toxicity in humans. The project aims to exploit this, and the inability of microbes to easily develop resistance towards metals, to combat bacteria for which modern drugs are rapid ....Combating Antimicrobial Resistance with Bismuth, Gallium and Indium. This research project focuses on the design, development, and application of new bismuth, gallium and indium compounds as antimicrobial agents. These metals act as iron mimics in vivo and can exert antimicrobial activity while displaying low systemic toxicity in humans. The project aims to exploit this, and the inability of microbes to easily develop resistance towards metals, to combat bacteria for which modern drugs are rapidly becoming ineffective, as highlighted in the WHO and US Centre for Disease Control list of critical and priority pathogens. The intended outcome is that efficacy will be driven through advances in synthetic and structural chemistry, discovering the mode of action, and creating anti-infective coatings and hydrogels.Read moreRead less
Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms. The stabilisation of highly reactive carbanions underpins advances in chemical synthesis of new compounds including polymers, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals. This project aims to deliver an innovative chemical reactivity platform, underpinned by copper carbanion complexes accessed via synthetic electrochemistry. Carbanions are essential components of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions but their high reactivity can be pr ....Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms. The stabilisation of highly reactive carbanions underpins advances in chemical synthesis of new compounds including polymers, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals. This project aims to deliver an innovative chemical reactivity platform, underpinned by copper carbanion complexes accessed via synthetic electrochemistry. Carbanions are essential components of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions but their high reactivity can be problematic. Expected outcomes of this project are an understanding of why these novel copper compounds are stable and how they can be utilised as synthetic reagents. This should provide significant benefits in unlocking the synthetic potential of a new class of chemical compound that has until now remained unexplored.Read moreRead less
Metal Virulence and Therapeutic Factors in Pathogen Bioinorganic Chemistry. The aim is to gain insights into the bioinorganic chemistry that occurs when immune system cells encounter pathogens and the soles of virulence factors and immune system enhancing roles of metal ions. Pathogenic bacteria and fungi accumulate chromium (Cr) in their membranes/outer capsules, which we discovered is likely to be a previously unknown, but important, virulence factor. Hyperaccummulation of nickel (Ni) is also ....Metal Virulence and Therapeutic Factors in Pathogen Bioinorganic Chemistry. The aim is to gain insights into the bioinorganic chemistry that occurs when immune system cells encounter pathogens and the soles of virulence factors and immune system enhancing roles of metal ions. Pathogenic bacteria and fungi accumulate chromium (Cr) in their membranes/outer capsules, which we discovered is likely to be a previously unknown, but important, virulence factor. Hyperaccummulation of nickel (Ni) is also involved in virulence, whereas vanadium (V) enhances the immune system response to these pathogens. Fundamental insights into these roles of Cr, Ni and V will be investigated using advanced spectroscopic, imaging and biochemical techniques. These insights will provide new knowledge on the innate immune system.Read moreRead less
Boryl Pincers and Beyond: Taming Borometallic Chemistry. Industrial applications of coordination complexes in catalysis reduce energy input and environmental impact but almost exclusively involve classical donors such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus. Boron, whilst prevalent and environmentally benign, is under-utilised in such applications, in part due to the high reactivity of the metal boron bond.
This research will seek to tame and then exploit the unique features of boron within p ....Boryl Pincers and Beyond: Taming Borometallic Chemistry. Industrial applications of coordination complexes in catalysis reduce energy input and environmental impact but almost exclusively involve classical donors such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus. Boron, whilst prevalent and environmentally benign, is under-utilised in such applications, in part due to the high reactivity of the metal boron bond.
This research will seek to tame and then exploit the unique features of boron within pincer ligand frameworks in metal coordination complexes, with particular attention focusing on, but not limited to catalytic alkyne metathesis.Read moreRead less