Paul Bernhardt

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994. Protein Electrochemistry: This research involves incorporating redox active enzymes with electrochemical systems such that the enzyme functions natively whilst in communication with an electrode (rather than with a natural electron transfer partner). We are currently investigating a number of systems, most from the molybdenum enzyme family that catalyse oxygen transfer reactions of both organic and inorganic substrates. Copper Complexes as Atom Transfer Radical Catalysts: Atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) is one of the most widely used 'controlled' radical polymerisation techniques and has resulted in polymers with well defined molecular weights and architectures. Our work is focused on complexes that catalyse this process by generating organic radicals from the simple reaction between a Cu(I) complex and an alkyl halide initiator. We can probe this atom transfer reaction with cyclic voltammetry and we have gained new insight to this interesting and fundamentally important reaction. This has now progressed to developing electrocatalytic synthetic methods for C-C bond formation reactions in collaboration with Prof. Craig Williams (SCMB). My research interests include all aspects of coordination chemistry; particularly its relevance to the areas of electrochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, spectroscopy and catalysis. In recent years some of the areas in which we have been, and continue to be, actively involved include: Enzyme electrochemistry (collaborations with several UQ and international groups). Invesitigation of copper complexes that are active in atom transfer radical polymerisation catalysis. Transition metal-mediated organic oxidation and reduction reactions.

[2026] Inhibition of BRN2 in melanoma reverses anoikis resistance and sensitizes cells to killing by vemurafenib. Neuendorf, Hannah M., He, Xie, Adams, Mark N., Chow, Sharon, Tran, Khoa A., Smith, Aaron G., Bernhardt, Paul V., Williams, Craig M., Simmons, Jacinta L. and Boyle, Glen M. (2026). Inhibition of BRN2 in melanoma reverses anoikis resistance and sensitizes cells to killing by vemurafenib. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. doi: 10.1186/s13046-026-03819-y [2026] Trapped cycloadducts of 1-azabutadienes via microwave-assisted ring opening of N -Acyl-2-azetines. Su, Chuyi, Cameron, Jacob P., Bernhardt, Paul V., Clark, Timothy and Williams, Craig M. (2026). Trapped cycloadducts of 1-azabutadienes via microwave-assisted ring opening of N -Acyl-2-azetines. The Journal of