Mr Robert Russell

Bioanalyst

Bragg Institute

Phone - +61 2 9717 3691

Staff Profile

Role at ANSTO

Rob is responsible for the deuteration of biopolymers within the National Deuteration Facility. He has performed small angle neutron scattering experiments to improve our understanding of the formation and properties of biopolymers produced by microorganisms. Complementary expertise includes gel permeation chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Rob is currently enrolled as a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales, studying the production and characteristics of novel biopolymer/carbon nanotube composites for medical applications.

Rob has also investigated the interaction of microorganisms with radionuclides and has used Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry in the analysis of biological materials.

Expertise

Biodeuteration, Small Angle Neutron Scattering, biopolymers, nanocomposites.

Qualifications & Achievements

Production of novel deuterated biopolymers and characterisation using Australian and overseas neutron beamlines.
Published more than 12 refereed research articles in international journals.
Fermentation/biotechnology industry (1993-1996).
BSc. (Hons) in environmental microbiology, University of Sydney (1992).

Publications

S. I. Yun, V. Lo, J. Noorman, J. Davis, R. A. Russell, P. J. Holden, and G. E. Gadd, Morphology of composite particles of single wall carbon nanotubes/biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates prepared by spray drying, Polym. Bull., 64(1), 99-106 (2010).

R. A. Russell, P. J. Holden, K. L. Wilde, C. J. Garvey, K. M. Hammerton, L. J. R. Foster. Biodeuteration strategies for neutron scattering analysis of bacterial polyhydroxyoctanoate. European Biophysics Journal 2008, 37, 711-715.

Yun SI, Russell RA, Holden PJ, 2008. Determination of solution properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and deuterated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by SANS. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 98, 877-878.

Yun, SI, Gerry GE, Latella BA, Lo V, Russell RA, Holden PJ, 2008. Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates/Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Films. Polymer Bulletin, 61, 267-275.

R.A. Russell, P.J. Holden, K.L. Wilde, K.M. Hammerton, L.J. Foster. Production and use of deuterated polyhydroxyoctanoate in structural studies of PHO inclusions. Journal of Biotechnology 132, 303-305.

L.J.R. Foster, R. Russell, V. Sanguanchaipaiwong, D.J.M. Stone, J. Hook and P.J. Holden 2006. Biosynthesis and Characterisation of a Deuterated Polyhydroxyalkanoate. Biomacromolecules, 7, 1344-1349.

R.A. Russell, P.J. Holden, C.J. Garvey, K.L. Wilde, K.M. Hammerton, L.J. Foster, 2006. Investigation of the phase morphology of bacterial PHA inclusion bodies by contrast variation SANS. Physica B, 385-386, 859-861.

G.R. MacFarlane, S.J. Markich, K. Linz, S. Gifford, R.H. Dunstan, W. O’Connor, R.A. Russell 2006. The Akoya pearl oyster shell as an archival indicator of lead exposure. Environmental Pollution, 143, 166-173.

R.A. Russell, P.J. Holden, T.E. Payne & G.D. McOrist, 2004. The effect of sulfate-reducing bacteria on adsorption of 137Cs by soils from arid and tropical regions. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 74, 151-158.