Environmentally sustainable asymmetric synthesis: design and development of chiral hydrogen bonding organocatalysts. There is a pressing need for more environmentally sustainable and economically viable methods for asymmetric synthesis. This project aims to design, synthesise and evaluate new organocatalysts based on the principle of hydrogen bonding activation, a common feature of Nature's catalysts, enzymes. These inexpensive, non-toxic, air- and moisture-stable catalysts may prove to be more ....Environmentally sustainable asymmetric synthesis: design and development of chiral hydrogen bonding organocatalysts. There is a pressing need for more environmentally sustainable and economically viable methods for asymmetric synthesis. This project aims to design, synthesise and evaluate new organocatalysts based on the principle of hydrogen bonding activation, a common feature of Nature's catalysts, enzymes. These inexpensive, non-toxic, air- and moisture-stable catalysts may prove to be more efficient, selective and have broader applicability than catalysts based on transition metals. The growing Australian pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will benefit from the development of these new Advanced Materials and the training provided to young scientists in the sought-after fields of asymmetric synthesis and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Bimolecular chemistry at very low temperatures. Many chemical reactions involve short-lived and highly reactive intermediates that cannot be observed under ordinary reaction conditions. Hence, much of this chemistry is shrouded in mystery. This project aims to develop the ability to observe and monitor such reactions directly using a combination of spectroscopies at very low temperatures, where the molecules are more stable and reactions slower. These studies will give quantitative information ....Bimolecular chemistry at very low temperatures. Many chemical reactions involve short-lived and highly reactive intermediates that cannot be observed under ordinary reaction conditions. Hence, much of this chemistry is shrouded in mystery. This project aims to develop the ability to observe and monitor such reactions directly using a combination of spectroscopies at very low temperatures, where the molecules are more stable and reactions slower. These studies will give quantitative information on the nature of the reactive intermediates themselves, the nature of the products formed, and the reaction dynamics, and they are of fundamental importance for an understanding of chemical reactivity generally. The methodology developed will be applicable to the investigation of a wide range of processes.Read moreRead less
Linking chemical synthesis with protein discovery to reveal key biological pathways. The project aims to pioneer a chemical biology technology to deliver a much better understanding of key molecules that regulate diseases such as cancer. For decades phorbol esters have been prominent molecules for controlling cell switches in complex diseases but our knowledge is incomplete because of the limited natural abundance of these molecules.
New mechanisms and methods in carbene and nitrene chemistry. Carbenes and nitrenes are highly reactive intermediates of theoretical and mechanistic significance and synthetic versatility in organic chemistry. In spite of high reactivity, selective and high-yielding reactions can be performed, leading to products that may be difficult or impossible to synthesise by other methods. They have practical applications in photo-affinity labelling of biomolecules, and photolithography. This project will ....New mechanisms and methods in carbene and nitrene chemistry. Carbenes and nitrenes are highly reactive intermediates of theoretical and mechanistic significance and synthetic versatility in organic chemistry. In spite of high reactivity, selective and high-yielding reactions can be performed, leading to products that may be difficult or impossible to synthesise by other methods. They have practical applications in photo-affinity labelling of biomolecules, and photolithography. This project will contribute fundamental knowledge of the nature and reactions of these species by using direct spectroscopic observation. We are proposing the occurrence of novel types of reactions and the formation of several new reactive intermediates as well as a technique for the stabilization of reactive intermediates by incorporation into macrocyclic frameworks.Read moreRead less
Neurotrophic Active Natural Products: Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neovibsanins A and B, and Analogues. New chemical entities (drug candidates) that promote neurite outgrowth have significant ramifications to mankind as they have real potential to repair damaged, or grow replacement, nerve cells affected by neuro and central nervous system (CNS) degenerative disease (e.g. Alzhiemer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's etc). This scientific endeavour will reveal new drug like molecules fo ....Neurotrophic Active Natural Products: Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neovibsanins A and B, and Analogues. New chemical entities (drug candidates) that promote neurite outgrowth have significant ramifications to mankind as they have real potential to repair damaged, or grow replacement, nerve cells affected by neuro and central nervous system (CNS) degenerative disease (e.g. Alzhiemer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's etc). This scientific endeavour will reveal new drug like molecules for potential biological and clinical application, thereby assisting a substantial proportion of Australians suffering from these debilitating diseases. Read moreRead less
Molecular probes for pancreatic cancer. Cancer has overtaken heart disease as the main cause of premature death in Australia. Currently one in two men and one in three women are diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Australia, and the current lack of effective therapies results in a 1 year survival of just over 10%, and a 5 year survival of less than 5%. This project aims to identify and produce new compounds with novel mech ....Molecular probes for pancreatic cancer. Cancer has overtaken heart disease as the main cause of premature death in Australia. Currently one in two men and one in three women are diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Australia, and the current lack of effective therapies results in a 1 year survival of just over 10%, and a 5 year survival of less than 5%. This project aims to identify and produce new compounds with novel mechanisms of action that will facilitate our understanding of pancreatic carcinogenesis and provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Australians diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the future may directly benefit from the results of this work.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989946
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,000.00
Summary
High Resolution LC/MS and MALDI for Molecular and Macromolecular Characterisation. The provision of high-resolution and matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometers configured for the molecular and macromolecular research of high quality research groups will lead to earlier and better fundamental discoveries that are directed at important practical developments in medicine, biotechnology, nanotechnology, light-energy harvesting, polymer materials and sensors. These include anti ....High Resolution LC/MS and MALDI for Molecular and Macromolecular Characterisation. The provision of high-resolution and matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometers configured for the molecular and macromolecular research of high quality research groups will lead to earlier and better fundamental discoveries that are directed at important practical developments in medicine, biotechnology, nanotechnology, light-energy harvesting, polymer materials and sensors. These include anticancer agents, nanodevices for drug delivery, better polymers with more energy efficient industrial processes, bioactive molecules for industrially important nitrogen fixation and many more. Read moreRead less
Development of microflow photochemistry and its application in the synthesis of platform chemicals of pharmaceutical interest. Light induces chemical changes with a 'flick of a switch'. Following the motto 'only as small as is necessary', the project will develop a new technology for conducting photoreactions in microspace. These microdevices will be used to construct a range of related compounds or to produce a bulk amount of a specific target molecule of pharmaceutical interest.
Reactive intermediates and microwave-assisted organic reactions. The use of our chemistry to help develop new, safer, better drugs against schizophrenia is a strong driving force for this research. This relates to the National Research Priority of promoting and maintaining good health, ageing well and productively, and preventative healthcare. Microwave-assisted chemical synthesis will undoubtedly become a very important methodology in the pharmaceutical industry, and our work will help develop ....Reactive intermediates and microwave-assisted organic reactions. The use of our chemistry to help develop new, safer, better drugs against schizophrenia is a strong driving force for this research. This relates to the National Research Priority of promoting and maintaining good health, ageing well and productively, and preventative healthcare. Microwave-assisted chemical synthesis will undoubtedly become a very important methodology in the pharmaceutical industry, and our work will help developing such know-how in Australia and thereby contribute to the Australian economic fabric. Read moreRead less