Professor Richard R Schrock of MIT, co-recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will officially open the Chemical Synthesis Laboratory of Federation and inaugural VESKI Fellow, Professor Andrew Holmes at the University of Melbourne's Bio21 Institute on Friday 2 February.

A guest of the University as its Distinguished Bio21 Lecturer in Chemistry, Professor Schrock will also deliver two public lectures during his visit.

The Nobel Laureate, joined by Minister for Innovation the Hon John Brumby and University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis, will speak at the ceremony that recognises the commitment of several sponsors including the ARC, The University of Melbourne, VESKI and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies.

The chemical synthesis laboratory was custom-designed as part of the package that attracted Professor Holmes to return to Melbourne from the UK in 2004.  "The University and State Government's contributions are not only  providing the premises for these state-of-the-art laboratories, but also the vision and initiative in establishing a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research facility in the hub of the Parkville precinct" he said.

A showcase for best practice in modern laboratory design in Australia, the laboratory is setting the gold standard for universities and secondary schools, incorporating the latest ideas and designs from laboratories in Europe and North America.

"These are the best laboratory facilities that I have ever worked in" commented Professor Holmes, pointing out that the careful integration of open bench space adjacent to excellent fume hoods improves the productivity of researchers by a factor of two or three.   

Chemical synthesis sits centrally at the interface with many disciplines including biology, biochemistry, genetics, drug discovery, physics, material science and nanotechnology.  Providing cutting edge platform technology and facilities such as these allow 'molecule makers' like Holmes to manufacture materials by organic chemical synthesis.

Professor Holmes' research interests are in making natural and non-natural materials to solve problems at the interface of chemistry with biology and materials science.

One of the most important research areas to emerge from the Holmes group at the Bio21 Institute has been the development of cheap plastic solar cells.  Using their knowledge of materials science and the way in which Nature harnesses solar energy in photosynthesis Holmes and his colleagues hope to develop cheap flexible solar cells that will provide an environmentally friendly way of generating power.

"It is predicted that the world's demand for energy will have doubled by 2050," said Holmes, "and there is very clear evidence that increased emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that will be produced by burning fossil fuels to meet this demand will choke the planet." 

He added, "What is needed is a cheap solar cell that can be printed on plastic like our banknotes. Here in Victoria we have the science base and the technical skills to develop this technology." 

The Victorian Government is committed to sustainable energy research and development through its Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS).

Professor Schrock received his Nobel Prize for work in metathesis chemistry which revolutionised the way chemists assemble complex organic molecules. He will give two public lectures during his visit:

1. "Multiple Metal-Carbon Bonds for Catalytic Metathesis Reactions" at the Bio21 Institute Auditorium (30 Flemington Road Parkville) on Thursday 1^st February at 4 pm.

2. "Catalytic Reduction of Dinitrogen at a Single N Molybdenum Center" at theCuming Lecture Theatre, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Friday 2^nd February at 4 pm.

Additional information:

The Chemical Synthesis Laboratory

The 430 m² laboratory provides ample fume hood and bench space for about 15 co-workers.  Each individual is assigned a personal fume hood and bench as well as a desk in a separate writing area that is well equipped with modern IT communications. The fumehoods are glass-lined and have a corrosion resistant ceramic base.  Each hood has its own dedicated supply of high and low vacuum pumps, piped nitrogen and argon and recirculating cooling water.  A Firetrace ^TM  automatic dry powder extinguisher system is activated in the event of a fire melting a sensing tube in the hood.  Modern offices have been provided for separate analytical equipment, administration and photocopying and the specialist analytical facilities have been fitted with inverted funnel extractors on a counterpoise assembly for extracting toxic gases at local workspaces.  A modern vented walk-in chemical store and solvent waste facilities complete a design concept that will set the paradigm for the future of laboratories in Australia in years to come.

Professor Andrew Holmes Research

Professor Holmes is part of the Cambridge University team which had success with the invention of light-emitting plastics, now used in MP3 players and shavers, with potential for use in flat-screen monitors for TVs and computers.  Building on the success of previous research in the UK, Professor Holmes and his team have been working on creating low-cost plastic solar panels that absorb light. The technology could be cheaper and easier to process than current silicon-based solar technology. 

Professor Holmes and his team have extensive international links which bring connections and potential collaborations to the Bio21 Institute and the local scene.  Coupled with cutting-edge facilities within the multidisciplinary Bio21 Institute, the environment is a drawcard for many of his existing and new international collaborators interested in transferring knowledge and skills both ways.

Professor Andrew Holmes FRS, was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 2006.

MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

VESKI - Victorian Endowment for Science, Knowledge and Innovation

ARC - Australian Research Council

Related articles:

Schrock to Open Bio21 Lab, 1 Feb 2006, BiotechnologyNews.net