Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics. Crown ether-based multichromophoric systems will be used to mimic the steps through which plants convert light into chemical energy. The crown bridging units allow a variety of metal and organic cations, which provide electronic and structural roles, to be non-covalently bound within their cavities. These systems are advantageous over other photosynthetic models in that a variety ....Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics. Crown ether-based multichromophoric systems will be used to mimic the steps through which plants convert light into chemical energy. The crown bridging units allow a variety of metal and organic cations, which provide electronic and structural roles, to be non-covalently bound within their cavities. These systems are advantageous over other photosynthetic models in that a variety of electron transfer mediators can be examined in a readily controlled and systematic way simply through the choice of cation. In this way, the role played by molecular recognition in the modulation of long-range electron transfer can be evaluated. This work will lead to designing better artificial solar energy converters and molecular electronic devices.Read moreRead less
DNA Dynamics is Shear and Extensional Flows: Simulation and Single Molecule Experiments. The proposal seeks to establish a collaboration between Monash University and Stanford University in order to combine several recent experimental and theoretical advances that have been made by the individual groups in single molecule experimental techniques, extensional rheometry, and molecular rheology, to obtain new insights into the structure and dynamics of biopolymers. The central aim is to make a sign ....DNA Dynamics is Shear and Extensional Flows: Simulation and Single Molecule Experiments. The proposal seeks to establish a collaboration between Monash University and Stanford University in order to combine several recent experimental and theoretical advances that have been made by the individual groups in single molecule experimental techniques, extensional rheometry, and molecular rheology, to obtain new insights into the structure and dynamics of biopolymers. The central aim is to make a significant contribution towards bringing state-of-the-art techniques used for the characterization of polymeric systems to bear on the nature and origin of the elastic properties of biopolymers.Read moreRead less
The flow properties of proteins and other biopolymers. The living cell is an extraordinary organization with a vast variety of biomacromolecules carrying out myriads of functions with great specificity and accuracy. The key issue in cell biology is to unravel the structures of biopolymers and the deep connection that exists between structure and function. This interdisciplinary research program combines recent advances in experimental and theoretical rheology, with advances in protein science, t ....The flow properties of proteins and other biopolymers. The living cell is an extraordinary organization with a vast variety of biomacromolecules carrying out myriads of functions with great specificity and accuracy. The key issue in cell biology is to unravel the structures of biopolymers and the deep connection that exists between structure and function. This interdisciplinary research program combines recent advances in experimental and theoretical rheology, with advances in protein science, to investigate the response of biopolymers to deformation. This approach will lead to insights into the problem of protein folding, the interaction of biopolymers with surfaces, and the physical basis for the mechanical properties of biopolymers.Read moreRead less
The Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Applications. Many drugs come in two chiral mirror images (enantiomers) where the therapeutic effect is usually associated with only one while the other has no effect or can be harmful as was the case with thalidomide. Chemical reactions that yield just the desired mirror image, or enantiomer, and not the other are therefore in great demand and heavily pursued by the pharmaceutical, fine chemical and materials industries as a frontier ....The Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Applications. Many drugs come in two chiral mirror images (enantiomers) where the therapeutic effect is usually associated with only one while the other has no effect or can be harmful as was the case with thalidomide. Chemical reactions that yield just the desired mirror image, or enantiomer, and not the other are therefore in great demand and heavily pursued by the pharmaceutical, fine chemical and materials industries as a frontier technology. This project will result in the development of novel catalytic reactions that allow the synthesis of chiral chemicals in a cost-efficient and green manner needed by many industries, and also training of students with highly desirable synthetic skills to lead the next wave in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Exploring new roles for phosphorus radicals in health, environment, and technology. Several practical outcomes will arise from this project. Information on processes that contribute to genetic disease and cancer will be derived through studies of the role of phosphorus radicals in DNA damage. Processes that lead to the degradation of natural and synthetic materials in the environment will be explored. Clean reactions will be developed for the fabrication of advanced materials (e.g. pharmaceutica ....Exploring new roles for phosphorus radicals in health, environment, and technology. Several practical outcomes will arise from this project. Information on processes that contribute to genetic disease and cancer will be derived through studies of the role of phosphorus radicals in DNA damage. Processes that lead to the degradation of natural and synthetic materials in the environment will be explored. Clean reactions will be developed for the fabrication of advanced materials (e.g. pharmaceuticals). These innovations will expand Australia's international profile in a growing research area. The project will also address three of Australia's National Research Priorities, contribute to the training of researchers in Free Radical Chemistry, and initiate research collaborations with institutions in France and the USA.Read moreRead less
Exploring Aspects of Supramolecular Chemistry as a Paradigm for Advanced Functional Materials. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the use of molecular recognition for the assembly of complex arrays for new materials research. The development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of solar energy conversion (e.g. photovoltaics and artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in catalysis will provide advances in the deve ....Exploring Aspects of Supramolecular Chemistry as a Paradigm for Advanced Functional Materials. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the use of molecular recognition for the assembly of complex arrays for new materials research. The development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of solar energy conversion (e.g. photovoltaics and artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in catalysis will provide advances in the development of these industries within Australia. Such developments may also lead to breakthroughs in areas such as optoelectronics and cleaner energy production. Read moreRead less
Natural Product-derived Proteomics Probes for Specific Detection of Protein Kinase C Activities. Better health care depends on how well diseases are understood and how accurately disease analysis and diagnosis can be carried out. This is not only important to disease treatment but also prevention. This project will first generate new compounds that could have improved therapeutic value in cancer treatment. In addition, these compounds will be further engineered to provide a new technology of ....Natural Product-derived Proteomics Probes for Specific Detection of Protein Kinase C Activities. Better health care depends on how well diseases are understood and how accurately disease analysis and diagnosis can be carried out. This is not only important to disease treatment but also prevention. This project will first generate new compounds that could have improved therapeutic value in cancer treatment. In addition, these compounds will be further engineered to provide a new technology of tracing the molecular signature of diseases such as cancer for early detection and better preventative care and treatment. This will create new economic advantage and contributes to the transformation of Australian health care industry.Read moreRead less
Fundamental studies in extensional rheology of polymers and biomacromolecules. Long molecules such as polymers, DNA and other biopolymers are of significant practical and fundamental interest. The behaviour of such polymers in extensional or stretching flows and the consequent stresses generated can be measured as a result of advances in instrumentation pioneered at Monash University. This research program builds on this foundation to understand the effects of molecular architecture on the prope ....Fundamental studies in extensional rheology of polymers and biomacromolecules. Long molecules such as polymers, DNA and other biopolymers are of significant practical and fundamental interest. The behaviour of such polymers in extensional or stretching flows and the consequent stresses generated can be measured as a result of advances in instrumentation pioneered at Monash University. This research program builds on this foundation to understand the effects of molecular architecture on the properties of macromolecules and to rigorously test several innovative theoretical concepts that have been advanced over the last 20 years. Such knowledge allows the tailoring of polymer shape to their end use and permits the design of novel polymers.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of new heterocyclic analogues of isoflavones. Intake of high dietary isoflavonoid phytoestrogens has been linked to low prevalence of hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, and heart disease. The isoflavones resemble endogenous estradiol in structure, and have been shown to display weak estrogenic activity. Novogen Limited is pioneering the development of novel drug candidates based on isoflavones. This collaborative research project deals with the development o ....Synthesis of new heterocyclic analogues of isoflavones. Intake of high dietary isoflavonoid phytoestrogens has been linked to low prevalence of hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, and heart disease. The isoflavones resemble endogenous estradiol in structure, and have been shown to display weak estrogenic activity. Novogen Limited is pioneering the development of novel drug candidates based on isoflavones. This collaborative research project deals with the development of synthetic methodologies for the preparation of new analogues of isoflavone metabolites as potential drug candidates. The target compounds will be evaluated for possible therapeutic use by the industry partner.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of pyrroloquinoline analogues of isoflavone metabolites. Cancer and heart disease are the two main diseases that affect our society indiscriminately and put enormous drains on healthcare resources. The intake of high dietary isoflavonoid phytoestrogens has been linked to low prevalence of cancers and heart disease. Novogen Limited is pioneering the development of novel drug candidates based on phytoestrogen metabolites. This collaborative research project deals with the development ....Synthesis of pyrroloquinoline analogues of isoflavone metabolites. Cancer and heart disease are the two main diseases that affect our society indiscriminately and put enormous drains on healthcare resources. The intake of high dietary isoflavonoid phytoestrogens has been linked to low prevalence of cancers and heart disease. Novogen Limited is pioneering the development of novel drug candidates based on phytoestrogen metabolites. This collaborative research project deals with the development of synthetic methodologies for the preparation of new analogues of phytoestrogen metabolites as potential drug candidates. The target compounds will be evaluated for possible therapeutic use by the industry partner.Read moreRead less