Gas Phase Reactivity of Charged Peptide and DNA Radicals: Fundamentals and Applications. Radicals derived from the "molecules of life", proteins and DNA, play both beneficial (e.g. enzyme catalysis) and deleterious roles (e.g. protein and DNA damage associated with disease). Two electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry approaches have been discovered to generate charged radicals of related models systems (e.g. peptides and nucleobases). The gas phase chemistry of these species is a largely unch ....Gas Phase Reactivity of Charged Peptide and DNA Radicals: Fundamentals and Applications. Radicals derived from the "molecules of life", proteins and DNA, play both beneficial (e.g. enzyme catalysis) and deleterious roles (e.g. protein and DNA damage associated with disease). Two electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry approaches have been discovered to generate charged radicals of related models systems (e.g. peptides and nucleobases). The gas phase chemistry of these species is a largely unchartered area! We will examine the fundamental chemistry (unimolecular and bimolecular reactions) of these systems and build upon some exciting preliminary results which suggest potential applications (e.g. as a proteomics tool to sequence and distinguish between leucine and isoleucine residues in peptides).Read moreRead less
Gas Phase Studies to Catalyze a Better Understanding of Metal Reactivity. The proposed research will increase knowledge of fundamental questions related to the mechanisms of catalysis and metal ion reactivity. The insights gained will be an important addition to the knowledge base of our culture, both nationally and in the wider international context. We note that research into the behaviour and design of catalysts is a burgeoning field which reflects the great importance of this area in the int ....Gas Phase Studies to Catalyze a Better Understanding of Metal Reactivity. The proposed research will increase knowledge of fundamental questions related to the mechanisms of catalysis and metal ion reactivity. The insights gained will be an important addition to the knowledge base of our culture, both nationally and in the wider international context. We note that research into the behaviour and design of catalysts is a burgeoning field which reflects the great importance of this area in the international scientific community. Our proposal will add to fundamental knowledge and may also result in practical applications. More importantly, we will train and equip talented young people with a spectrum of skills which will make them well placed to meet the demand for highly skilled professional scientists.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100462
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,975.00
Summary
Molecular complexity through multi-bond forming reactions. This project aims to develop techniques for the synthesis of many, highly valuable natural and designed molecules which are too complex to be synthesised on scale with current methodologies. The project aims to develop new strategies for the simultaneous construction of several chemical bonds, with a focus on molecular scaffolds that can be readily converted into pharmaceuticals, potential drug candidates, chiral ligands, and agrochemica ....Molecular complexity through multi-bond forming reactions. This project aims to develop techniques for the synthesis of many, highly valuable natural and designed molecules which are too complex to be synthesised on scale with current methodologies. The project aims to develop new strategies for the simultaneous construction of several chemical bonds, with a focus on molecular scaffolds that can be readily converted into pharmaceuticals, potential drug candidates, chiral ligands, and agrochemicals. This will ultimately lead to advancements in both the production and application of organic molecules in these fields.Read moreRead less
A new molecular platform for catalytic synthesis of heterocycles. This project aims to address the lack of efficient methods to prepare cyclic molecules of biological relevance by utilising novel molecular platforms developed in our laboratories. This project expects to generate new cyclic molecules using these innovative molecular platforms by employing catalysts to reduce raw material and energy cost. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced chemical technology to prepare cyclic ....A new molecular platform for catalytic synthesis of heterocycles. This project aims to address the lack of efficient methods to prepare cyclic molecules of biological relevance by utilising novel molecular platforms developed in our laboratories. This project expects to generate new cyclic molecules using these innovative molecular platforms by employing catalysts to reduce raw material and energy cost. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced chemical technology to prepare cyclic molecules of pharmaceutical importance and the training of highly skilled PhD students. This should provide significant benefits, such as increased capacity for the development of new pharmaceuticals and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
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.
New Discoveries in Organic Synthesis Inspired by the Efficiency of Nature. Nature can assemble complex organic molecules from simple starting materials with apparent ease, but the laboratory synthesis of these natural products is very difficult. This project aims to mimic the way in which Nature constructs organic compounds and thus develop more efficient, greener synthetic processes in which there is a rapid build up of molecular complexity via “biomimetic” reactions. We will integrate this app ....New Discoveries in Organic Synthesis Inspired by the Efficiency of Nature. Nature can assemble complex organic molecules from simple starting materials with apparent ease, but the laboratory synthesis of these natural products is very difficult. This project aims to mimic the way in which Nature constructs organic compounds and thus develop more efficient, greener synthetic processes in which there is a rapid build up of molecular complexity via “biomimetic” reactions. We will integrate this approach with modern methods of catalysis, including electrochemistry, photochemistry and biocatalysis. As a result, this work will expand the chemical space available to synthetic chemists working in the pharmaceutical industry. A further benefit is the training of the next generation of Australian synthetic chemists. Read moreRead less
Using natural products to inspire discoveries in synthesis and biosynthesis. This project aims to understand the organic chemistry that occurs in the biosynthesis of unusual antibiotic natural products by marine microorganisms. In an interdisciplinary approach, proposed biosynthetic intermediates will be synthesised and screened against newly isolated enzymes from the microorganisms of interest. This will allow the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways, and aid the discovery of new chemoenzymatic ....Using natural products to inspire discoveries in synthesis and biosynthesis. This project aims to understand the organic chemistry that occurs in the biosynthesis of unusual antibiotic natural products by marine microorganisms. In an interdisciplinary approach, proposed biosynthetic intermediates will be synthesised and screened against newly isolated enzymes from the microorganisms of interest. This will allow the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways, and aid the discovery of new chemoenzymatic reactivity that may be broadly useful in organic synthesis. Non-enzymatic, predisposed organic reactions will also be uncovered during the project. The benefit of this project will be an improvement in our ability to synthesise potential antibiotics using a combined synthetic organic and chemoenzymatic approach. This could lead to useful new antibiotics in the future.Read moreRead less
New Methodology for the Stereoselective Construction of Oxygen Heterocycles and Rare Sugar Analogues. The overall goal of this research is to develop new synthetic methods, particularly ones that exhibit high levels of stereocontrol. Current research efforts are directed towards the stereoselective construction of oxygen heterocycles and rare sugar analogues both in their racemic and chiral forms utilising 1,2-dioxines containing tethered hydroxyl moieties as the key chemical precursors. It is e ....New Methodology for the Stereoselective Construction of Oxygen Heterocycles and Rare Sugar Analogues. The overall goal of this research is to develop new synthetic methods, particularly ones that exhibit high levels of stereocontrol. Current research efforts are directed towards the stereoselective construction of oxygen heterocycles and rare sugar analogues both in their racemic and chiral forms utilising 1,2-dioxines containing tethered hydroxyl moieties as the key chemical precursors. It is envisaged that these investigations will lead to the development of simple experimental protocols for the synthesis of new bioactive organics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100689
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Applying nature's chemistry to the synthesis of complex bioactive natural products. Organic molecules come in all shapes and sizes, and the synthesis of them is crucial to industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals, electronics, cosmetics and agrochemicals. This project aims to develop new ways of making unusual and potentially useful naturally occurring organic molecules using chemistry that mimics how they are formed in nature.