PhD and research degrees

Leaders in chemical and biomolecular sciences research

Macquarie’s research is highly regarded internationally in the fields of chemical and biomolecular sciences.

We are world leaders in molecular omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and glycomics), sustainable chemical systems and catalytic chemistry, materials science and nanobiotechnology.

Macquarie has been driving major advances in basic and commercial research in analytical spectrometry, glycochemistry, separation science and instrumental methods for more than two decades. Our researchers are also pioneering new methods in laser spectroscopy, catalysis and organic geochemistry.

Areas of specialisation

  • Analytical chemistry
  • Analytical spectrometry
  • Bioassays
  • Biologically active molecules
  • Characterisation of biological
  • Electroanalytical chemistry
  • Instrumental methods
  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Inorganic materials (and nanomaterials)
  • Macromolecular and materials chemistry
  • Macromolecules
  • Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry
  • Nanochemistry
  • Natural products and bioactive compounds
  • Optical properties of materials
  • Organic chemistry
  • Physical chemistry
  • Proteins and peptides
  • Structure and dynamics of materials
  • Theoretical and computational chemistry.

Learn more about our chemical and biosciences research.

Research collectives

Research highlights

Partnering with industry to transform bioactives – Bioactives are compounds that are naturally present in food and could exert a beneficial effect when consumed. Currently, many consumer products containing bioactives make it to market with little scientific understanding of whether or why they work or even what aspects of a product might be relevant for its activity.

Supported by an ARC grant, Macquarie University’s Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives (FAAB) brings together Deakin University, the University of South Australia and Western Sydney University with research universities in the UK, Germany and Brazil, and 14 respected Australian industry partners. The team will develop methods for characterising products of high molecular complexity to address current and emerging consumer health and healthier lifestyle choices.

HydGene Renewables – Macquarie’s team was awarded funding from the Australian Government through the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) for turning farm biomass waste, such as grain crop stubble, into clean hydrogen. This prize-winning research program is partnered with the Grain Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the CSIRO and promises to expand further on the repertoire of feedstocks that special engineered cells can utilise for on-site biological hydrogen production.

Learn more about HydGene Renewables

Recognition for our talented researchers – Dr Amy Cain was a joint recipient of the 2022 Frank Fenner Award from the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM), alongside fellow-recipients Jai Tree and Karl Hassan. The award recognises distinguished contributions in any area of Australian research in microbiology by scientists in a formative stage of their career. Amy uses functional genomics techniques to understand genetic networks during antibiotic exposure in highly-resistant hospital-acquired bacterial pathogens and to ultimately uncover new antibiotic targets.

Research news

Read more about the breakthroughs happening in the areas of research relating to chemical sciences.

New Centre of Excellence

The ARC has announced funding for the new Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology.

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Mental health food

A Macquarie study has shown links between depression and unhealthy diets.

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Yeast breakthrough

Successfully synthesising all sixteen chromosomes of a yeast organism promises further innovation.

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Sustainable biofactories

How we could be fuelling yeast-based biomanufacturing with waste instead of farmed sugar.

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