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Research in the School of Chemistry focusses on the areas of Molecular Devices, Chemical and Biological Catalysis, and Bioactive Molecules. These multidisciplinary research clusters leverage the synergies between researchers in the School to maximize the outcomes of our research. Within these clusters are staff and students who possess strengths in many of the traditional chemistry disciplines but where these are being applied towards a series of common goals. The researchers in each cluster have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation through the Analytical Centre, with whom we share a building, through the equipment housed in the school, and through the world-class research facilities available to the scientific community in Australia such as the Australian Synchrotron and the OPAL reactor.

Molecular Devices

The ability of chemists to control matter on the molecular level is now being exploited to develop a new generation of materials with properties not previously accessible. The fabrication of new materials using molecular scale building blocks is one of the fundamental principles of nanoscience. The functional materials we are developing have important applications in analytical chemistry, electrochemistry and surface science. Specific programs include:

• Designer surfaces leading to biosensors, optoelectronic devices, organic electronics, biomaterials
• Nanostructured materials for catalysis, gas adsorption, molecular sieves and sensing
• Nanoparticles and nanosheets as nanoscale building blocks for biolabelling, bioelectronics, gas adsorption and molecular electronics

Bioactive Molecules

The need for new therapeutics and drugs is greater than ever, with ever-growing levels of resistance to current antibiotics, high levels of toxicity of current anti-cancer agents and limited availability of anti-viral agents. The dramatic advances in disease prevention have been driven by developments in medicinal chemistry. Synthetic methodologies have become sufficiently sophisticated to allow the design and synthesis of completely new yet active structural types. Specific programs include:

• The design and understanding of bioactive molecules; heterocyclic chemistry for therapeutic compounds, exploration of DNA-drug interactions
• Natural product chemistry; flavinones as dietary supplements, the mode of action of antifreeze proteins

Chemical and Biological Catalysis

Improved strategies for chemical synthesis are now imperative to achieve the reduction of waste and energy demands as well as provide the capability to create new molecules for the fine chemical industry with high levels of selectivity. Challenges of catalysis include the capture of nitrogen for agrochemicals, value adding to the by-products of the petrochemical industry and enhancing catalytic activity using biological templates. Specific programs include:

• Homogeneous catalysts for efficient and selective synthesis; efficient routes to pharmaceuticals, nitrogen fixation and carbon sequestration
• Structure and dynamics in catalysis using Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and modelling

If any of these areas sound interesting to you, note that all three areas are currently seeking high quality Ph.D. applicants.

Further details of these research activities can be found in the listing of individual staff web pages and the index of research topics or by downloading the School of Chemistry Research Book (PDF format, 2 MB).