University of Tasmania, Australia

High performance chromatography based on nanostructured monolithic polymers

This project aims to develop new methods for the reproducible and predictable synthesis and characterisation of new classes of fundamentally and commercially significant analytical stationary phases for the macro-, micro- and nano-scale separation of a range of target analytes, based on the core concept of nanostructured monolithic polymers. A range of synthetic techniques will be used for the synthesis of novel nanoparticles and related monolithic structures and the kinetic performance of these columns will be probed using techniques with emphasis on obtaining optimal chromatographic conditions to include these separation columns in comprehensively coupled multidimensional liquid chromatography systems. An overall aim of this project is to lead to new multidimensional separation approaches that will greatly facilitate current and future research concerned with the analysis of complex samples. The new stationary phasesand methods developed in this project will be applied in a range of applications including high speed isolation, separation and quantification of pharmaceutical targets in complex biological matrices and high resolution separations of biomolecules such as biotechnology-derived pharmaceuticals and disease biomarkers and will lead to major advances in their performance in a range of nationally significant areas. This project is supported by a current ARC Future Fellowship and support from industry partners and involves significant international collaboration with partners in Europe and the USA.