Faculty of Science School of Chemistry

Andrew Holmes

Professor of Chemistry, ARC Federation Fellow

CONTACT DETAILS:

Address: Bio21, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia

Room: Bio21 Inst. 402

Email: aholmes@unimelb.edu.au

 

Field of expertise
Applications of Synthesis to Problems in Materials and Biology

We are interested in synthesis of all kinds, from biologically active molecules to polymers.   The common theme is that our target must have a use, whether it allows us to probe a biological system or to make a smart material.   The new frontiers in research are at the interfaces and major breakthroughs are now happening in collaborative research projects on multidisciplinary themes.   Our interest in the Bio21 Institute is to address the interface of biological and materials science.   Our research also involves extensive collaboration with chemists at CSIRO Molecular Science and the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College, London. 

 

Projects are available in the following fields:

Targeted proteomics and phosphoinositides that control intracellular signalling

A synthetic programme has been developed to prepare phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates, attach them to affinity matrices and in collaboration with biological colleagues identify the proteins that bind to the beads.   We now wish to understand how these proteins control signalling in a variety of important processes such as diabetes and cancer. 

 

Polymeric organic semiconducting materials

Among the most exciting discoveries in materials science has been the observation that organic conjugated materials can show semiconductor properties.   We were part of the team that discovered light emitting polymers which have potential applications as the emissive layer in flat panel TV screens.   Organic semiconductors are also being actively researched in field effect transistors and solar cells.   Projects in this area have potential for exploitation in collaboration with spinout companies. 

 

Poison arrow frog venom alkaloids

We have developed the synthesis of histrionicotoxins isolated from poison arrow frog skin secretions.   We want to know how these molecules control the function of the acetylcholine nicotinic receptor.

 

Medium ring ethers as cytotoxic (anticancer) agents

A variety of biologically active medium ring ethers such as the eunicellins and eleutherobins have been isolated from marine sources and shown to exhibit microtubule stabilising properties similar to taxol. Our programme is to synthesise these molecules and simple analogues for cytotoxicity studies.   Another target is the nine-membered ether fish antifeedant, obtusenyne. 

 

Supercritical carbon dioxide as an environmentally benign solvent

Supercritical carbon dioxide is a gas-like fluid with liquid-like solvent densities. It can be used to carry out C-C bond forming reactions, polymer synthesis and formation of monolayers on surfaces.   We even use it to deposit polymers on patterned surfaces, and expect these properties to make it a popular solvent in the 21st century. 

 

 

 For further information visit the Holmes Group homepage.

Selected Publications:
  1. Poly(2,7-dibenzosilole): A Blue Light Emitting Polymer, K.-L. Chan, M. J. McKiernan, C. R. Towns and A. B. Holmes, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 7662-7663.
  2. A Synthesis of (+)-Obtusenyne, S. Y. F. Mak, N. R. Curtis, A. N. Payne, M. S. Congreve, C. L. Francis, J. W. Burton and A. B. Holmes, Synthesis, 2005, 3199-3201.
  3. Interface Engineering for Solid-state Dye-sensitised Nanocrystalline Solar Cells: the Use of an Organic Redox Cascade, N. Hirata, J. E. Kroeze, T. Park, D. Jones, S. A. Haque, A. B. Holmes and J. R. Durrant, Chem. Commun., 2006, 535-537 (correction Chem. Commun., 2006, 677).
  4. Triplet Energy Back Transfer in Conjugated Polymers with Pendant Phosphorescent Iridium Complexes, N. R. Evans, L. Sudha Devi, C. S. K. Mak, S. E. Watkins, S. I. Pascu, A. Köhler, R. H. Friend, C. K. Williams and A. B. Holmes, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,2006, 128, 6647-6656.
  5. The Synthesis of Membrane Permeant Derivatives of myo-Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate, S, J, Conway, J. W. Thuring, S. Andreu, B. T. Kvinlaug, H. L. Roderick, M. D. Bootman and A. B. Holmes, Aust. J. Chem., 2006, 59, 887-893.
  6. Continuous Flow Suzuki-Miyaura Reaction in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, G. A. Leeke, R. C. D. Santos, B. Al-Duri, J. P. K. Seville, C. J. Smith. C. K. Y. Lee, A. B. Holmes and I. F. McConvey, Org. Process Res. Dev., 2007, 11, 144-148.
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