Self-assembled supramolecular cages for guest binding and catalysis. This project aims to construct a family of supramolecular metal-containing cage-shaped molecules that possess specialised binding pockets with unique chemical properties that mimic enzymes. Many existing cage molecules contain well-defined three dimensional cavities reminiscent of enzymes' active sites. However, unlike natural systems they do not contain "active" metals with free coordination sites, and this limits their cataly ....Self-assembled supramolecular cages for guest binding and catalysis. This project aims to construct a family of supramolecular metal-containing cage-shaped molecules that possess specialised binding pockets with unique chemical properties that mimic enzymes. Many existing cage molecules contain well-defined three dimensional cavities reminiscent of enzymes' active sites. However, unlike natural systems they do not contain "active" metals with free coordination sites, and this limits their catalytic ability. This project aims to prepare a large family of robust organic cages quickly and easily, and subsequently incorporate metals containing free active sites that point into the cage cavity. It is expected that this will deliver strong and selective guest binding, and efficient and selective catalysis.Read moreRead less
Artificial Self-Replication of Peptide Nanocapsules. Replication is key to the operation of biology, but how molecular replicators arose spontaneously on early Earth remains an open question. The ability of molecules to self-replicate must have come before the development of the highly evolved enzymes that biology currently employs. The aim of this Future Fellowship is to develop a peptide nanocapsule capable of replicating itself nonenzymatically by self-templated ligation, thus offering a plat ....Artificial Self-Replication of Peptide Nanocapsules. Replication is key to the operation of biology, but how molecular replicators arose spontaneously on early Earth remains an open question. The ability of molecules to self-replicate must have come before the development of the highly evolved enzymes that biology currently employs. The aim of this Future Fellowship is to develop a peptide nanocapsule capable of replicating itself nonenzymatically by self-templated ligation, thus offering a platform that possesses the traits needed for Darwinian evolution to emerge. By obtaining a better understanding of the design and function of self-replicating systems, this project is expected to transform our understanding of some of the key chemical principles needed for life's emergence.Read moreRead less
Responsive Metal-organic Framework Glass Membranes for Molecular Sieving. Metal-organic frameworks are an important category of microporous materials, showing extraordinary structural and chemical diversities. The recent discovery of their melting behaviours endows these materials with high processability, enabling the transformation of crystal powders into mechanically durable microporous bulk glasses for device assembly. This project aims to understand the melting and modification mechanism, a ....Responsive Metal-organic Framework Glass Membranes for Molecular Sieving. Metal-organic frameworks are an important category of microporous materials, showing extraordinary structural and chemical diversities. The recent discovery of their melting behaviours endows these materials with high processability, enabling the transformation of crystal powders into mechanically durable microporous bulk glasses for device assembly. This project aims to understand the melting and modification mechanism, and to incorporate responsive moieties to the glass. It further aims to realise switchable membrane separation for gas mixtures. This project is expected to enhance the understanding and application of these emerging glass materials and promote Australia’s capability in value-added manufacturing of metal minerals.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100147
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
Revitalising NMR facilities in South Australia - Stage 2. The determination of molecular structure using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a fundamental and powerful technique that is utilised by researchers across numerous disciplines. We are proposing to upgrade NMR facilities within South Australia in a carefully staged process so as to provide researchers access to state of the art experiments on modern instrumentation. In this proposal we aim to replace end of life components as well as p ....Revitalising NMR facilities in South Australia - Stage 2. The determination of molecular structure using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a fundamental and powerful technique that is utilised by researchers across numerous disciplines. We are proposing to upgrade NMR facilities within South Australia in a carefully staged process so as to provide researchers access to state of the art experiments on modern instrumentation. In this proposal we aim to replace end of life components as well as provide increased sensitivity and capability by installing new probes. We aim to minimise duplication and maximise capability by undertaking a coordinated approach to NMR upgrades.Read moreRead less
Complementary pairs for next generation self-assembled systems . This project will employ a set of complementary pairings where separate sites fit together at metal ions in a specific fashion orthogonal to other pairings, like two jigsaw pieces, while forming a poor fit with other pairings. These pairings will allow retention and transfer of structural information. In this way, the bulk combination of relatively simple precursors will lead to self-assembled structures with well-defined seque ....Complementary pairs for next generation self-assembled systems . This project will employ a set of complementary pairings where separate sites fit together at metal ions in a specific fashion orthogonal to other pairings, like two jigsaw pieces, while forming a poor fit with other pairings. These pairings will allow retention and transfer of structural information. In this way, the bulk combination of relatively simple precursors will lead to self-assembled structures with well-defined sequence identity. This program will make and use complex abiotic molecules, enhancing outcomes in molecular information storage and transfer, molecular recognition and sensing, chemical transformations, and energy transport events, leading to economic and environmental benefits for Australia in industry and manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100684
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,654.00
Summary
Building a synthetic chemical synapse through harnessed stochasticity. At the molecular level, biology is noisy, and life has evolved a plethora of mechanisms to harness this noise for useful output. If we want to construct de novo living systems to learn more about biology and the origin of life, then we must not ignore noise. This project aims to apply a design philosophy that embraces randomness to construct an artificial chemical synapse. Expected outcomes include creating a blueprint for th ....Building a synthetic chemical synapse through harnessed stochasticity. At the molecular level, biology is noisy, and life has evolved a plethora of mechanisms to harness this noise for useful output. If we want to construct de novo living systems to learn more about biology and the origin of life, then we must not ignore noise. This project aims to apply a design philosophy that embraces randomness to construct an artificial chemical synapse. Expected outcomes include creating a blueprint for the next generation of more dynamic artificial cells, developing vital tools for the elucidation of principles in biophysics and systems biology, and deepening our understanding of how noisy molecular level events have downstream effects on macro-scale behaviours. Several international collaborations are involved.
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Mixed-Metal Clusters for Catalysis and Optical Applications. This project aims to afford new heterometallic molecular materials as precursors to catalysts and as new optical materials, exploiting oxophilic and carbophilic transition metal atoms for synergistic cooperation in certain catalytic processes, and using the polarity of heterometallic bonds to achieve strong optical limiting. Expected outcomes of this project include cluster structure/composition - catalysis/optical properties correlati ....Mixed-Metal Clusters for Catalysis and Optical Applications. This project aims to afford new heterometallic molecular materials as precursors to catalysts and as new optical materials, exploiting oxophilic and carbophilic transition metal atoms for synergistic cooperation in certain catalytic processes, and using the polarity of heterometallic bonds to achieve strong optical limiting. Expected outcomes of this project include cluster structure/composition - catalysis/optical properties correlations that will signpost the route to efficient catalysts and optical limiters. This Project should provide significant benefits such as chemoselective catalysts needed for pharmaceutical drug and agricultural chemical production, and broad temporal range optical limiters needed for optical device protection.Read moreRead less