Development of Pyrrolopyrimidines as Inhibitors of ATP-Binding Proteins. This project seeks to generate analogues of natural products that have been found to be active against cancer cells and tropical parasites. The new materials produced by this project will aid in the study of biochemical processes involved in diseases such as cancer and lymphatic filariasis, thus leading the way to development of these compounds as potential treatments for such diseases.
Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself tog ....Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself together. This research will use nature's light harvesting elements, namely porphyrins, and our ability to precisely control their position with respect to each other to build new, more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less
New synthetic strategies towards higher order fullerenes. Fullerene or C60 is a novel soccer-ball shaped molecule with many potential applications as new materials and pharmaceutical drugs. This project aims to develop novel methods for the preparation of new fullerene derivatives that will have potential future applications in materials science, medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry and chemical synthesis.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Bioactive Alkaloids and Analogues via Chiral, Polylfunctionalized-Pyrrolidines. Alkaloids are plant products that have many useful biological and pharmaceutical properties. Many of these compounds have potential as antiviral and anticancer therapeutics. This project aims to develop novel methods of preparing bioactive alkaloids and their structural analogues. These compounds potentially have applications as new potent and less toxic pharmaceutical agents.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,235,000.00
Summary
Adelaide Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a fundamental underpinning technology for the advancement of the many sciences which require determination of the structure of molecules. This project will significantly enhance and broaden NMR capabilities in South Australia and advance world-class research in chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology and biochemistry.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Regional Facility for Molecular Characterisation and Mapping. Researchers at the Schools of Chemistry at The Australian National University and University of Wollongong are involved in a range of projects where new molecules are synthesised or discovered in natural products such as rainforest plants and marine organisms. Some of the molecules have already shown promise against diseases such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. In order to fully characterise these molecules, two complementa ....Regional Facility for Molecular Characterisation and Mapping. Researchers at the Schools of Chemistry at The Australian National University and University of Wollongong are involved in a range of projects where new molecules are synthesised or discovered in natural products such as rainforest plants and marine organisms. Some of the molecules have already shown promise against diseases such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. In order to fully characterise these molecules, two complementary mass spectrometers, replacing ageing instrumentation will be commissioned at each site. In addition, researchers in Wollongong will acquire a MALDI mass spectrometer capable of imaging the distribution of molecules on tissues that may be pathologically important.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101863
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Strained alkenes as chemical probes for cysteine sulfenic acid. This project aims to introduce strained alkenes as probes for cysteine sulfenic acid, a poorly understood biomarker for oxidative stress. This probe will enable rapid detection of cysteine sulfenic acid and meet an urgent need for tools to map cysteine redox signalling. Moreover, since many enzymes feature a cysteine sulfenic acid at their active site, the strained alkene probes will also serve as useful inhibitor probes of these en ....Strained alkenes as chemical probes for cysteine sulfenic acid. This project aims to introduce strained alkenes as probes for cysteine sulfenic acid, a poorly understood biomarker for oxidative stress. This probe will enable rapid detection of cysteine sulfenic acid and meet an urgent need for tools to map cysteine redox signalling. Moreover, since many enzymes feature a cysteine sulfenic acid at their active site, the strained alkene probes will also serve as useful inhibitor probes of these enzymes. Such inhibitor probes will provide critical information for potential therapeutic applications in human conditions associated with oxidative stress such as ageing, cancer, and heart disease.Read moreRead less
Defining peptide structure and function: the shape of things to come. In this project we develop new and general ways of chemically defining the structure and function of natural peptides. This then provides a basis of potential therapies to treat a number of diseases currently confronting Australia's aging population, for example, cataract, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Preparation and properties of oligo- and polycyclophanes. Materials with advanced optical and electronic properties. This project aims to prepare a novel class of organic and organometallic material that has both theoretical and practical applications. Nanotechnology requires unique arrangements of atoms that can give rise to enhanced macroscopic properties and we have embarked on a project that will provide new oligomers and polymers for the construction of the next generation of optical and el ....Preparation and properties of oligo- and polycyclophanes. Materials with advanced optical and electronic properties. This project aims to prepare a novel class of organic and organometallic material that has both theoretical and practical applications. Nanotechnology requires unique arrangements of atoms that can give rise to enhanced macroscopic properties and we have embarked on a project that will provide new oligomers and polymers for the construction of the next generation of optical and electronic devices.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