Stealth, Health and Wealth: Chemistry and Medical Research

A/Prof. Paul A Keller
Director, Centre for Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology

> See and Hear Paul's presentation

From deep sea marine life to smart bacteria, or the markets of Thailand to the Australian synchrotron, Chemistry has had a profound beneficial impact on our lives. The Centre for Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology consists of a research intensive group of scientists investigating both fundamental and applied problems with the aim of improving the health of our Society.
This includes exploring the deep seas or the cold of Antarctica for new leads to develop drugs for diseases such as cancer, HIV-AIDS or to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria. Projects also utilise the latest technologies, e.g. the new Australian Synchrotron, to find out where potential cancer drugs act within our cells, and thus providing information as to how we can design safer drugs.
Or alternatively, we can study the ways Nature uses to control pests and then use these natural products to protect the produce in our Farmers Markets.

Chemistry is often the forgotten science when it comes to Medical Research, however, the examples above of the projects that we undertake show a diverse range of science that all have a common theme – we are using our chemical knowledge to help ‘Design’ better molecules to improve our health and lead to wealthier lives for all of us.

Associate Professor Paul Keller (foreground) who will deliver the final 2008 Research Strength Showcase Series lecture with the Dean of Science, Professor Will Price, pictured alongside a spectrometer obtained through an ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities grant driven by members of CMCP