Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100467
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Unravelling the intrinsic structure and stability of multiply charged anions in the gas-phase using photoelectron spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Molecules possessing multiple negative charges are common constituents in chemistry, influencing a range of processes ranging from photochemical smog formation to protein structure in vivo. This project will develop new technologies to probe their molecular structure in the gas-phase, leading to a more rigorous understanding of these species.
Rapid, ultra-sensitive protein structure elucidation by mass spectrometry. This project seeks to develop a method for rapidly discovering classes of molecules that bind to unique sites on proteins. The development of new pharmaceuticals is frequently delayed by the time and resources required to identify the sites that new chemical entities bind to protein targets. A recent discovery has resulted in the ability to completely characterise large protein sequences directly from single mass spectra. ....Rapid, ultra-sensitive protein structure elucidation by mass spectrometry. This project seeks to develop a method for rapidly discovering classes of molecules that bind to unique sites on proteins. The development of new pharmaceuticals is frequently delayed by the time and resources required to identify the sites that new chemical entities bind to protein targets. A recent discovery has resulted in the ability to completely characterise large protein sequences directly from single mass spectra. This project aims to leverage this breakthrough by developing a rapid new approach for revealing ligand-protein binding sites using whole-protein mass spectrometry. This would enable novel sites of interactions between molecules and protein targets to be discovered rapidly with high sensitivity. In turn, this would allow the efficient design of next-generation classes of bioactive molecules.Read moreRead less
The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project w ....The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project will probe the fundamental structure and energetics of radical anions by modifying instrumentation to enable multi-step gas-phase ion synthesis to be efficiently coupled with anion photoelectron spectroscopy. These investigations are essential to revealing the scope of this phenomenon in free radical chemistry and biology and could inform future development of new catalysts for polymerisation.Read moreRead less
New laser and mass spectrometry-based tools for comprehensive structural elucidation of lipids and their biomolecular interactions. Lipid-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease are reaching epidemic proportions. We propose the development of specialised instrumentation to identify and quantify lipids (fats) in tissue and culture samples thus providing Australian scientists with unique capabilities to investigate the mechanisms of disease.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,000.00
Summary
Multiplexed capabilities for surface analysis and imaging by mass spectrometry. This facility will support research aimed at developing rapid and reliable analytical methods for the detection of chemicals directly from biological and man-made materials. The mass spectroscopy methods used at the facility will reveal molecular-level changes in systems ranging from the lens of the human eye to Colorbond steel® and have applications in the detection of chemical and biological hazards.
Formation, photochemistry and fate of gas-phase peroxyl radicals. This project aims to understand how peroxyl radical reactions modulate the composition of air. The gas-phase chemical reactions of organic peroxyl radicals contribute to air quality in clean and polluted environments. However, experimental observations of these reaction intermediates and the complex mechanisms governing their formation and fate are limited. This project will use mass spectrometry and laser-based methods to interro ....Formation, photochemistry and fate of gas-phase peroxyl radicals. This project aims to understand how peroxyl radical reactions modulate the composition of air. The gas-phase chemical reactions of organic peroxyl radicals contribute to air quality in clean and polluted environments. However, experimental observations of these reaction intermediates and the complex mechanisms governing their formation and fate are limited. This project will use mass spectrometry and laser-based methods to interrogate the chemical and photochemical reactions of peroxyl radicals in the gas phase. This project expects to understand the composition and dynamics of the troposphere and inform strategies to improve air quality.Read moreRead less
Quantum noise limited molecular spectrometry. This project will develop a new technology for chemical analysis using lasers. The research will produce more accurate instruments for analysing samples containing carbon dioxide and water. This technology has a surprisingly wide array of applications. For example, sensitive analysis of carbon dioxide will help law enforcement agencies identify the location of illicit drug manufacturing, test for performance enhancing drug use by elite athletes, and ....Quantum noise limited molecular spectrometry. This project will develop a new technology for chemical analysis using lasers. The research will produce more accurate instruments for analysing samples containing carbon dioxide and water. This technology has a surprisingly wide array of applications. For example, sensitive analysis of carbon dioxide will help law enforcement agencies identify the location of illicit drug manufacturing, test for performance enhancing drug use by elite athletes, and monitor greenhouse gases. The instrument for analysing water will improve water resource management in Australia. This program will result in commercial instruments that are sensitive, portable and affordable.Read moreRead less
Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought ....Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought about by levels of heat and radiation encountered in-service. These insights will lead to further improvements in both lifetime and aesthetic durability of COLORBONDR steel, ensuring continuing economic success of BlueScope in the domestic building market with consequent benefits to manufacturing communities throughout the supply-chain nationwide.Read moreRead less
Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of f ....Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of fabrication exploits the ability of similar molecules to line up on a suitable surface, so-called 'self Assembly'. The project is based on sound fundamental science for an applied research outcome and therefore will enhance Australian's standing as a strong scientific country that applies its knowledge at the forefront of technological advancement.Read moreRead less
Advanced water treatment technologies to minimise nitrogenous disinfection by-products in drinking water: understanding the role of organic nitrogen. This project will identify improved methods for treatment of drinking water to prevent the formation of potentially hazardous disinfection by-products. It will assist water resource managers and regulators to select the most economical and safe treatment for each type of water source and to plan for future demands on our limited water supplies.