Wednesday, 16 March 11:00am – 12:00pm

This seminar will be delivered in person at Chemistry Lecture Theatre 4 and Online Zoom (TBC) Please email chemistry.researchsupport@sydney.edu.au for zoom link and password.

Speaker: Prof Kate Jolliffe; School of Chemistry, University of Sydney

Host: Prof. Rich Payne

Title: Novel molecular receptors for the recognition, sensing and transport of anions

Abstract: Prof. Kate Jolliffe’s research is focussed on the design and development of novel molecular structures capable of selectively binding, sensing and transporting negatively charged species (anions). These systems have numerous applications in areas as diverse as the environment and medicine. Most of these applications require anion recognition to occur in a competitive aqueous environment, but the design of receptors capable of selective binding to anions in water is difficult, predominantly as a result of the high hydration energy of anionic species. We take inspiration from the anion binding proteins in Nature to design synthetic anion receptors that range in structure from small peptides to large macrocycles and combine both natural and non-natural binding motifs. We then exploit their selectivity in a range of applications.