pH Switching of Radical Reactivity and Orbital Conversion. Radicals are reactive species that have an unpaired electron, which is usually located in the highest occupied orbital. This proposal uses a combination of theory and experiment to design a new class of radical anions whose unpaired electron is not the highest occupied orbital, and whose electronic configuration reverts to the normal aufbau configuration upon protonation. These special radical anions will display unprecedented radical st ....pH Switching of Radical Reactivity and Orbital Conversion. Radicals are reactive species that have an unpaired electron, which is usually located in the highest occupied orbital. This proposal uses a combination of theory and experiment to design a new class of radical anions whose unpaired electron is not the highest occupied orbital, and whose electronic configuration reverts to the normal aufbau configuration upon protonation. These special radical anions will display unprecedented radical stability that is pH switchable, as well as ferromagnetism and conductivity upon oxidation. This project will exploit these unusual properties in the design of pH-switchable protecting groups for radicals for synthesis and polymerisation, and determine their role in oxidative stress and enzyme kinetics.Read moreRead less
New Horizons in Diels-Alder Chemistry. Using a unique joint experimental-computational approach, we will develop reliable ways to predict the outcome of one of the most important chemical reactions. Practical applications of these new predictive tools will be developed involving powerful new versions of the reaction. Several different classes of biologically active natural products will be prepared including molecules with antitumor and antiretroviral activities. Libraries of structurally-relate ....New Horizons in Diels-Alder Chemistry. Using a unique joint experimental-computational approach, we will develop reliable ways to predict the outcome of one of the most important chemical reactions. Practical applications of these new predictive tools will be developed involving powerful new versions of the reaction. Several different classes of biologically active natural products will be prepared including molecules with antitumor and antiretroviral activities. Libraries of structurally-related analogues of natural compounds will be synthesised for biological evaluation.Read moreRead less
Exploitation of unusual patterns of reactivity of peptides towards radicals. Life depends on free radical reactions of peptides and proteins but, for these compounds to exist, these must be inherently resistant to radicals. This project aims to combine state-of-the-art experiment and theoretical computations to build a detailed picture of peptide and protein radical reactivity, in order to explain this paradox and resolve ambiguities regarding processes through which radical damage to peptides o ....Exploitation of unusual patterns of reactivity of peptides towards radicals. Life depends on free radical reactions of peptides and proteins but, for these compounds to exist, these must be inherently resistant to radicals. This project aims to combine state-of-the-art experiment and theoretical computations to build a detailed picture of peptide and protein radical reactivity, in order to explain this paradox and resolve ambiguities regarding processes through which radical damage to peptides occurs and is repaired. The project also aims to critically evaluate the basic concept of the fidelity of amino acid incorporation during protein biosynthesis. The results of this project could underpin the development of new strategies and therapeutics to treat human diseases, and new materials and synthetic methods to increase the utility of peptides in biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Platform Technologies for the Regulation of Peptide Hormones. Research in the field of this application is expected to contribute to the social and economic welfare of Australians. It is anticipated that a platform of technologies will be developed, for the treatment of human and animal disorders associated with imbalances in levels of peptide hormones. This will provide better therapies to improve human and animal health. Related potential applications include the development of more effective ....Platform Technologies for the Regulation of Peptide Hormones. Research in the field of this application is expected to contribute to the social and economic welfare of Australians. It is anticipated that a platform of technologies will be developed, for the treatment of human and animal disorders associated with imbalances in levels of peptide hormones. This will provide better therapies to improve human and animal health. Related potential applications include the development of more effective insecticides. The range of new materials and protocols that will result from the research will be suitable for commercial exploitation. Particular benefit to Australians will result from the research being carried out locally, where the intellectual property and expertise will be developed and maintained.Read moreRead less
Amino Acid and Peptide Radicals in Biochemistry and Synthesis. The aim of this research is to develop a better fundamental understanding of biochemical free radical reactions of peptides and proteins, particularly those involving superoxide radical anion and thiols, and peptide radicals in enzyme-catalysed reactions. Knowledge gained through this work will be used in the synthesis of physiologically active amino acids and peptides, as well as to establish ways to regulate biochemical free radic ....Amino Acid and Peptide Radicals in Biochemistry and Synthesis. The aim of this research is to develop a better fundamental understanding of biochemical free radical reactions of peptides and proteins, particularly those involving superoxide radical anion and thiols, and peptide radicals in enzyme-catalysed reactions. Knowledge gained through this work will be used in the synthesis of physiologically active amino acids and peptides, as well as to establish ways to regulate biochemical free radical processes. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop methods and pharmaceutical compounds to prevent and treat human disorders associated with these reactions, and to underpin commercial exploitation of peptide and protein biomaterials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989474
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Organic Synthesis and Reaction Processing Facility. Chemical synthesis is not only an important activity in its own right but one that provides compounds required in biology and physics. This enterprise is thus pivotal to many activities associated with a modern economy. Accordingly, it is vital to maintain a cutting-edge capacity in synthetic organic chemistry. The requested equipment will be assembled to create a state-of-the-art facility serving the needs of some sixty researchers engaged in ....Organic Synthesis and Reaction Processing Facility. Chemical synthesis is not only an important activity in its own right but one that provides compounds required in biology and physics. This enterprise is thus pivotal to many activities associated with a modern economy. Accordingly, it is vital to maintain a cutting-edge capacity in synthetic organic chemistry. The requested equipment will be assembled to create a state-of-the-art facility serving the needs of some sixty researchers engaged in diverse aspects of organic synthesis including those associated with the development of new antibiotics, drug delivery systems and molecular machines.Read moreRead less
A blueprint for cross-conjugation and a gateway for new directions in synthesis. This research program aims to develop better ways to make and understand organic substances: the materials that make up all known life forms, our medicines, and many designed materials. A better understanding of organic structure and reactivity leads to better medicines, smarter materials, and less environmental impact from chemical processes.
Next Generation Synthesis. The ambitious aim of this work is to re-define the limits of what is possible in reactions and structure in organic chemistry. This research aims to push the science of synthesis beyond current levels of sophistication in both the types of structures that will be prepared and the methods that will be used preparing them. One section of this work focuses on the preparation of fundamental classes of organic compounds that have not yet succumbed to synthesis. Another invo ....Next Generation Synthesis. The ambitious aim of this work is to re-define the limits of what is possible in reactions and structure in organic chemistry. This research aims to push the science of synthesis beyond current levels of sophistication in both the types of structures that will be prepared and the methods that will be used preparing them. One section of this work focuses on the preparation of fundamental classes of organic compounds that have not yet succumbed to synthesis. Another involves the development of chemical syntheses that reach levels of efficiency beyond those in current use. Put simply, the goal of this work is to stretch the boundaries, both in terms of chemical structure and in terms of step-efficiency in chemical synthesis. Read moreRead less
Experimental and Computational Investigations into Enantioselective Domino Sequences. This research program aims to develop more efficient methods for the chemical synthesis of organic substances: the materials that make up all known life forms, our medicines, and many designed materials. This research involves primarily the invention of new, enabling science. Specifically, we are trying to develop new and very general strategies to make organic compounds selectively and more efficiently than be ....Experimental and Computational Investigations into Enantioselective Domino Sequences. This research program aims to develop more efficient methods for the chemical synthesis of organic substances: the materials that make up all known life forms, our medicines, and many designed materials. This research involves primarily the invention of new, enabling science. Specifically, we are trying to develop new and very general strategies to make organic compounds selectively and more efficiently than before. A more efficient chemical synthesis means less waste, lower energy consumption and less environmental impact. Research of this kind is absolutely essential for the development of new medicines and materials. Australia lags behind many of the world's developed countries in this very important area of endeavour.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100065
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,808.00
Summary
Designing Organocatalysts to Achieve Hyperpolarised Magnetic Resonance. Magnetic resonance techniques (such as MRI scans) suffer from an inherent insensitivity problem. In medical imaging, this can hamper diagnosis and mean long scan times for patients. This project aims to chemically develop catalysts which dramatically increase sensitivity, producing a signal that is thousands of times more visible. This project is significant as these catalysts can turn common, harmless molecules in the body ....Designing Organocatalysts to Achieve Hyperpolarised Magnetic Resonance. Magnetic resonance techniques (such as MRI scans) suffer from an inherent insensitivity problem. In medical imaging, this can hamper diagnosis and mean long scan times for patients. This project aims to chemically develop catalysts which dramatically increase sensitivity, producing a signal that is thousands of times more visible. This project is significant as these catalysts can turn common, harmless molecules in the body - even water - into visible tracers. The expected outcomes of this project include the synthesis and understanding of these catalysts which will be chemically fine-tuned to maximise their effectiveness. Potential benefits include translation to MRI applications to improve diagnosis and treatment, or chemical monitoring.Read moreRead less