
Overview
Background
James De Voss received a B. Sc (Hons) in Chemistry and a University Medal from the University of Queensland in 1984. He was a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 scholar at Cambridge University, where he worked on the biosynthesis of Vitamin B12 with Prof. Sir Alan Battersby. A postdoctoral fellowship, again from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, allowed him to work with Prof. Craig Townsend at Johns Hopkins University on the mechanism of DNA cleavage caused by the enediyne antibiotic calicheamicin. He was then introduced to the cytochromes P450 by Prof. Paul Ortiz de Montellano with whom he worked while at the University of California, San Francisco. Since returning to the University of Queensland to take up an academic appointment, initially as a Senior lecturer and subsequently as a Reader and then a Professor, he has continued his interest in problems at the interface of chemistry and biology and currently works with a range of bacterial, insect and mammalian P450s, as well as on the biogenesis of insect pheromones and phytochemistry of herbal medicines.
Availability
- Professor James De Voss is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge
Works
Search Professor James De Voss’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Characterisation of the Self‐Sufficient Cytochrome <scp>P450 CYP116B234</scp> From <i>Rhodococcus globerulus</i> and Its Suggested Native Role in 2‐Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Metabolism
Kundral, Simran, Beamish, Hannah, Giang, Peter D., Salisbury, Lauren J., Nouwens, Amanda S., Khare, Sunil K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Harmer, Jeffrey R., Bell, Stephen G. and De Voss, James J. (2025). Characterisation of the Self‐Sufficient Cytochrome P450 CYP116B234 From Rhodococcus globerulus and Its Suggested Native Role in 2‐Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Metabolism. Microbial Biotechnology, 18 (3) e70125, e70125. doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.70125
2025
Journal Article
Characterisation of the Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase CYP116B46 from <i>Tepidiphilus thermophilus</i> as a Homogentisic Acid Generating Enzyme and its Conversion to a Peroxygenase
Akter, Jina, Lee, Joel H. Z., Whelan, Fiona, De Voss, James J. and Bell, Stephen G. (2025). Characterisation of the Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase CYP116B46 from Tepidiphilus thermophilus as a Homogentisic Acid Generating Enzyme and its Conversion to a Peroxygenase. ChemBioChem, 26 (5) e202400880, e202400880. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202400880
2025
Journal Article
An Asynchronous, Concerted Mechanism for Cytochrome P450-Catalyzed Dehydrogenation: A Combined Deuterium Labeling and QM/MM Study
Kirk, Alicia M., Stok, Jeanette E., Wong, Siew Hoon, Coleman, Tom, Challinor, Victoria L., Herring, Joel N., Bruning, John B., Bernhardt, Paul V., Bell, Stephen G., Krenske, Elizabeth H. and De Voss, James J. (2025). An Asynchronous, Concerted Mechanism for Cytochrome P450-Catalyzed Dehydrogenation: A Combined Deuterium Labeling and QM/MM Study. ACS Catalysis, 15 (2), 1274-1286. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c06278
2024
Journal Article
The biarylitides: understanding the structure and biosynthesis of a fascinating class of Cytochrome P450 modified RiPP natural products
Padva, Leo, Gullick, Jemma, Coe, Laura J., Hansen, Mathias, De Voss, James, Crüsemann, Max and Cryle, Max J. (2024). The biarylitides: understanding the structure and biosynthesis of a fascinating class of Cytochrome P450 modified RiPP natural products. ChemBioChem e202400916. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202400916
2024
Other Outputs
An asynchronous, concerted mechanism for CYP199A4 catalyzed dehydrogenation: a combined deuterium labelling and QM/MM study
Kirk, Alicia, Krenske, Elizabeth, De Voss, James and Kirk, Alicia (2024). An asynchronous, concerted mechanism for CYP199A4 catalyzed dehydrogenation: a combined deuterium labelling and QM/MM study. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/e032820
2024
Journal Article
Loss of fluorine during crosslinking by the biarylitide P450<sub>Blt</sub> proceeds due to restricted peptide orientation
Zhao, Yongwei, Gullick, Jemma, Hansen, Mathias H., Coe, Laura, Treisman, Maxine, Schittenhelm, Ralf B., McKay, Alasdair, Murray, Lauren A. M., Tailhades, Julien, De Voss, James J., Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Cryle, Max J. (2024). Loss of fluorine during crosslinking by the biarylitide P450Blt proceeds due to restricted peptide orientation. Chemical Communications, 60 (94), 13951-13954. doi: 10.1039/d4cc04092a
2024
Journal Article
Amphiphilic heparinoids as potent antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2
Chhabra, Mohit, Shanthamurthy, Chethan D., Kumar, Nanjudaswamy Vijendra, Mardhekar, Sandhya, Vishweshwara, Sharath S., Wimmer, Norbert, Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel, Amarilla, Alberto A., Cha, Jonathan S., Beckett, James R., De Voss, James J., Kayal, Yasmin, Vlodavsky, Israel, Dorsett, Lauren R., Smith, Raymond A. A., Gandhi, Neha S., Kikkeri, Raghavendra and Ferro, Vito (2024). Amphiphilic heparinoids as potent antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67 (14), 11885-11916. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00487
2024
Journal Article
Structural diversity in nudibranch chemistry: elucidation of norditerpenes with a dendrillane scaffold from the Australian nudibranch Goniobranchus coi
Forster, Louise C., Pierens, Gregory K., De Voss, James J. and Garson, Mary J. (2024). Structural diversity in nudibranch chemistry: elucidation of norditerpenes with a dendrillane scaffold from the Australian nudibranch Goniobranchus coi. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 77 (7) CH24073, 1-8. doi: 10.1071/ch24073
2024
Journal Article
Reassignment of the structure of a tryptophan‐containing cyclic tripeptide produced by the biarylitide crosslinking cytochrome P450blt
Coe, Laura J., Zhao, Yongwei, Padva, Leo, Keto, Angus, Schittenhelm, Ralf, Tailhades, Julien, Pierens, Greg, Krenske, Elizabeth H., Crüsemann, Max, De Voss, James and Cryle, Max J. (2024). Reassignment of the structure of a tryptophan‐containing cyclic tripeptide produced by the biarylitide crosslinking cytochrome P450blt. Chemistry: A European Journal, 30 (38) e202400988. doi: 10.1002/chem.202400988
2024
Journal Article
Cytochrome P450Blt enables versatile peptide cyclisation to generate histidine and tyrosine containing crosslinked tripeptide building blocks (vol 61, e202204957, 2022)
Coe, L. J., Zhao, Y., Padva, L., Keto, A., Schittenhelm, R., Tailhades, J., Pierens, G., Krenske, E. H., Crusemann, M., De Voss, J. and Cryle, M. J. (2024). Cytochrome P450Blt enables versatile peptide cyclisation to generate histidine and tyrosine containing crosslinked tripeptide building blocks (vol 61, e202204957, 2022). Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 63 (26) e202408719. doi: 10.1002/anie.202408719
2024
Journal Article
Selective α-hydroxyketone formation and subsequent C–C bond cleavage by cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzymes
Lee, Joel H. Z., Coleman, Tom, Mclean, Mark A., Podgorski, Matthew N., Hayball, Eva F., Stone, Isobella S. J., Bruning, John B., Whelan, Fiona, De Voss, James J., Sligar, Stephen G. and Bell, Stephen G. (2024). Selective α-hydroxyketone formation and subsequent C–C bond cleavage by cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzymes. ACS Catalysis, 14 (11), 8958-8971. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c01766
2024
Journal Article
Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Churchman, Luke R., Beckett, James R., Tan, Lendl, Woods, Kyra, Doherty, Daniel Z., Ghith, Amna, Bernhardt, Paul V., Bell, Stephen G., West, Nicholas P. and De Voss, James J. (2024). Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 239 106479, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106479
2024
Journal Article
Engineering peroxygenase activity into cytochrome P450 monooxygenases through modification of the oxygen binding region
Podgorski, Matthew N., Akter, Jinia, Churchman, Luke R., Bruning, John B., De Voss, James J. and Bell, Stephen G. (2024). Engineering peroxygenase activity into cytochrome P450 monooxygenases through modification of the oxygen binding region. ACS Catalysis, 14 (10), 7426-7443. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c01326
2024
Journal Article
An engineered biarylitide cross-linking P450 from RiPP biosynthesis generates alternative cyclic peptides
Treisman, Maxine, Coe, Laura, Zhao, Yongwei, Sasi, Vishnu Mini, Gullick, Jemma, Hansen, Mathias H., Ly, Aviva, Leichthammer, Victor, Hess, Caroline, Machell, Daniel L., Schittenhelm, Ralf B., Hooper, Joel, Jackson, Colin J., Tailhades, Julien, De Voss, James J. and Cryle, Max J. (2024). An engineered biarylitide cross-linking P450 from RiPP biosynthesis generates alternative cyclic peptides. Organic Letters, 26 (9), 1828-1833. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c04366
2024
Journal Article
CYP108N14: a monoterpene monooxygenase from Rhodococcus globerulus
Giang, Peter D., Churchman, Luke R., Buczynski, Julia B., Bell, Stephen G., Stok, Jeanette E. and De Voss, James J. (2024). CYP108N14: a monoterpene monooxygenase from Rhodococcus globerulus. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 752 109852, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109852
2024
Journal Article
Structural insights into a side chain cross-linking Biarylitide P450 from RiPP biosynthesis
Hansen, Mathias H., Keto, Angus, Treisman, Maxine, Sasi, Vishnu Mini, Coe, Laura, Zhao, Yongwei, Padva, Leo, Hess, Caroline, Leichthammer, Victor, Machell, Daniel L., Schittenhelm, Ralf B., Jackson, Colin J., Tailhades, Julien, Crüsemann, Max, De Voss, James J., Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Cryle, Max J. (2024). Structural insights into a side chain cross-linking Biarylitide P450 from RiPP biosynthesis. ACS Catalysis, 14 (2), 812-826. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.3c05417
2023
Journal Article
Synthesis of substituted norcaranes for use as probes of enzyme mechanisms
Churchman, Luke R., Giang, Peter D., Buczynski, Julia B., Stok, Jeanette E., Bell, Stephen G. and De Voss, James J. (2023). Synthesis of substituted norcaranes for use as probes of enzyme mechanisms. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 21 (48), 9647-9658. doi: 10.1039/d3ob01571h
2023
Journal Article
Differentiating dyes: A Spectroscopic investigation into the composition of scarlet bloodroot (Haemodorum coccineum R.Br.) rhizome
Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Church, Taylah, Wapling, Johanna A., Collins, Raelene, Leach, Gregory J., Leach, David, De Voss, James J. and Blanchfield, Joanne T. (2023). Differentiating dyes: A Spectroscopic investigation into the composition of scarlet bloodroot (Haemodorum coccineum R.Br.) rhizome. Molecules, 28 (21) 7422, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/molecules28217422
2023
Journal Article
Efficient biocatalytic C–H bond oxidation: an engineered heme-thiolate peroxygenase from a thermostable cytochrome P450
Gee, Alecia R., Stone, Isobella S. J., Stockdale, Tegan P., Pukala, Tara L., De Voss, James J. and Bell, Stephen G. (2023). Efficient biocatalytic C–H bond oxidation: an engineered heme-thiolate peroxygenase from a thermostable cytochrome P450. Chemical Communications, 59 (90), 13486-13489. doi: 10.1039/d3cc04626e
2023
Journal Article
The oxidation of oxygen and sulfur‐containing heterocycles by cytochrome P450 enzymes
Podgorski, Matthew N, Keto, Angus B, Coleman, Tom, Bruning, John B, De Voss, James J, Krenske, Elizabeth H and Bell, Stephen Graham (2023). The oxidation of oxygen and sulfur‐containing heterocycles by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Chemistry – A European Journal, 29 (50) e202301371, e202301371. doi: 10.1002/chem.202301371
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor James De Voss is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) from extremophilic sources and their biotechnological applications
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) from extremophilic sources and their biotechnological applications
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) from extremophilic sources and their biotechnological applications
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) from extremophilic sources and their biotechnological applications
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Bioactive Phytochemicals from Australian Native Plants used as Ingienous medicines
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial manufacturing of plant saponin-inspired vaccine adjuvants
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) from extremophilic sources and their biotechnological applications
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of peptide antibiotic constituents for elucidation of their biosyntheses and II) Characterization of bacterial cytochromes P450
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Isolation and identification of natural products from Australian Native Medicinal Plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Identification of the Structure and bioavailability of bioactive compounds from Australian native plants.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Stingless bee enzymes for biotransformation of cane sugar to a low GI sugar
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emerita Professor Mary Fletcher, Dr Loan Nguyen, Dr Natasha Hungerford
-
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of novel probes and inhibitors of carbohydrate-binding proteins
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro
-
Doctor Philosophy
Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for triterpenoid production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Stingless bee enzymes for biotransformation of cane sugar to a low GI sugar
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emerita Professor Mary Fletcher, Dr Loan Nguyen, Dr Natasha Hungerford
-
Doctor Philosophy
Isolation and identification of natural products from Australian Native Medicinal Plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploiting plant biosynthesis to produce vaccine adjuvants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
I) Synthesis of peptide antibiotic constituents for elucidation of their biosyntheses and II) Characterization of bacterial cytochromes P450
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Australian Natural Products
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis for the exploration and exploitation of Cytochrome P450 enzymes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Bacterial Cytochromes P450
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Bernhardt
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of cholesterol derivatives for exploration of cytochromes P450 from Dioscorea transversa and inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Biosynthesis of Steroidal Saponins
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of Mechanistic Probes for Cytochrome P450 Catalysed Desaturation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Phytochemistry of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Unusual cytochrome P450-catalysed reactions: synthesis of small molecule probes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
CYP710C1: Mechanism and Design of Inhibitors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Steroidal Saponins from Medicinal Herbs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Cytochrome P450-catalysed oxidations: Biosynthetic and mechanistic studies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Cytochrome P450cin: An Investigation into the Substrate-Based Determinants of Reactivity
Principal Advisor
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Chemical Characterisation of Novel Metabolites from Bioactive Herbs
Principal Advisor
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cytochrome P450cin: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Bernhardt
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF PROPOSED ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS IN ECHINACEA. SP. AND CHAMALERIUM LEUTEUM
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
FATTY ACID METABOLISM BY CYTOCHROMES P450
Principal Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
SYNTHESIS AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF INSECT DERIVED SPIROACETAL PHEROMONES
Principal Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
MEDTHOD DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF SOME HETEROCYCLIC NATURAL PRODUCTS
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
CYROCHROME P450cin
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
BACTROCERA TRYONI VOLATILES: SPIROACETAL STRUCTURE, SYNTHESIS AND BIOSYNTHESIS
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the structure, bioactivity and bioavailability of active compounds from complex herbal extracts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Theoretical and experimental investigations into the mechanisms of Cytochromes P450
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Chemical Building Blocks for Medicinal Chemistry and Microelectronic Applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Phytochemical characterisation of Australian medicinal plants: Doctrina veteris et novi
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the Chemical Composition and Ecology of Nudibranchs of the Genus Goniobranchus
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Cheney
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development and Characterisation of Cytochrome P450 Support Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Gillam
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Toolbox for Characterising Molecular Structure and Function in Metal-Centred Catalysts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jeffrey Harmer
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Physical and chemical interactions between bile pigments and polyaromatic mutagens
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of C-2 Functionalized L-Iduronic Acid Derivatives as Potential Pharmacological Chaperones for MPS II (Hunter Syndrome)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Chemical Investigation of Marine Invertebrates from South East Queensland: Secondary Metabolites from Nudibranchs and Sponges
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G and synthetic studies towards other related caged neovibsanins
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Stable High Level Expression of Heterologous Gene Clusters Encoding Antitumour Antibiotics in Escherichia coli K12
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor John Fuerst, Emeritus Professor John Pemberton
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Directed evolution of enzymes of cytochrome P450 catalysis: Evolving CYP1A, CYP2D and P450 reductase
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Gillam
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Towards the Total Synthesis of 5ß-Hydroxy-Cis-Dehydrocrotonin And Development of Novel Methodology in the Synthesis of Cis-Vinylstannanes and Cis-Vinylpinacolboronates.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
2-Iodoxybenzoic acid: Acidity investigations and the total synthesis of 5,14-bis-epi-spirovibsanin A
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
REDOX PROPERTIES AND MEMBRANE LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN RECOMBINANT CYTOCHROME P450 SYSTEMS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Gillam, Professor Paul Bernhardt
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
MOLECULAR BREEDING OF CYTOCHROME P450s FOR INDIGOID PIGMENT PRODUCTION
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Gillam
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISATION OF INTRACELLULAR COPPER TRANSPORTING PROTEINS
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor James De Voss directly for media enquiries about:
- Bio-organic chemistry
- Biosynthesis of natural products
- Chemistry - organic
- Enzymes - P450
- Enzymology
- Herbs - bioactives
- Natural products - chemistry of
- Organic chemistry
- P450 enzymes
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: