Professor James De Voss
Professor

James De Voss

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53825

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

Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemistry

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Search Professor James De Voss’s works on UQ eSpace

254 works between 1985 and 2025
All (254) Journal Article (197) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (51) Book Chapter (5)

1 - 20 of 254 works

2025

Journal Article

Characterisation of the thermophilic P450 CYP116B305 identified using metagenomics-derived sequence data from an Australian hot spring

Kundral, Simran, Giang, Peter D., Grundon, Leah R., Supper, Jenna M., Khare, Sunil K., Bernhardt, Paul V., Evans, Paul, Bell, Stephen G. and De Voss, James J. (2025). Characterisation of the thermophilic P450 CYP116B305 identified using metagenomics-derived sequence data from an Australian hot spring. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 109 (1) 133, 1-20. doi: 10.1007/s00253-025-13521-2

Characterisation of the thermophilic P450 CYP116B305 identified using metagenomics-derived sequence data from an Australian hot spring

2025

Journal Article

Characterisation of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP116B46 from Tepidiphilus thermophilus 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, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202400880

Characterisation of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP116B46 from Tepidiphilus thermophilus as a homogentisic acid generating enzyme and its conversion to a peroxygenase

2025

Journal Article

Characterisation of the Self‐Sufficient Cytochrome P450 CYP116B234 From Rhodococcus globerulus 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, 1-15. doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.70125

Characterisation of the Self‐Sufficient Cytochrome P450 CYP116B234 From Rhodococcus globerulus and Its Suggested Native Role in 2‐Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Metabolism

2025

Conference Publication

Discovery and characterisation of novel thermophilic cytochrome P450 enzymes from metagenomic library of Innot Hotspring, Australia

Kundral, S., Huang, D., Khare, S. and De Voss, J. (2025). Discovery and characterisation of novel thermophilic cytochrome P450 enzymes from metagenomic library of Innot Hotspring, Australia. European Congress on Biotechnology – ECB 2024, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 30 June - 3 July 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2024.08.237

Discovery and characterisation of novel thermophilic cytochrome P450 enzymes from metagenomic library of Innot Hotspring, Australia

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

An asynchronous, concerted mechanism for cytochrome P450-catalyzed dehydrogenation: a combined deuterium labeling and QM/MM study

2025

Journal Article

Evolutionary insights into the selectivity of sterol oxidising cytochrome P450 enzymes based on ancestral sequence reconstruction

Doherty, Daniel Z., De Voss, James J., Bruning, John B. and Bell, Stephen G. (2025). Evolutionary insights into the selectivity of sterol oxidising cytochrome P450 enzymes based on ancestral sequence reconstruction. Chemical Science, 16 (24), 11110-11122. doi: 10.1039/d5sc01863c

Evolutionary insights into the selectivity of sterol oxidising cytochrome P450 enzymes based on ancestral sequence reconstruction

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, 26 (7) e202400916, e202400916. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202400916

The biarylitides: understanding the structure and biosynthesis of a fascinating class of Cytochrome P450 modified RiPP natural products

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

An asynchronous, concerted mechanism for CYP199A4 catalyzed dehydrogenation: a combined deuterium labelling and QM/MM study

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

Loss of fluorine during crosslinking by the biarylitide P450<sub>Blt</sub> proceeds due to restricted peptide orientation

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

Amphiphilic heparinoids as potent antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2

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

Structural diversity in nudibranch chemistry: elucidation of norditerpenes with a dendrillane scaffold from the Australian nudibranch Goniobranchus coi

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, e202400988. doi: 10.1002/chem.202400988

Reassignment of the structure of a tryptophan‐containing cyclic tripeptide produced by the biarylitide crosslinking cytochrome P450blt

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

Selective α-hydroxyketone formation and subsequent C–C bond cleavage by cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzymes

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

Synthesis of steroidal inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

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

Engineering peroxygenase activity into cytochrome P450 monooxygenases through modification of the oxygen binding region

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

An engineered biarylitide cross-linking P450 from RiPP biosynthesis generates alternative cyclic peptides

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

CYP108N14: a monoterpene monooxygenase from Rhodococcus globerulus

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

Structural insights into a side chain cross-linking Biarylitide P450 from RiPP biosynthesis

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

Synthesis of substituted norcaranes for use as probes of enzyme mechanisms

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

Differentiating dyes: A Spectroscopic investigation into the composition of scarlet bloodroot (Haemodorum coccineum R.Br.) rhizome

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    New biocatalysts for selective chemical oxidations under extreme conditions (ARC Discovery Project administered by The University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Mycobacterial Cholesterol Degradation: A Unique Metabolic Weakness?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Enabling at Traditional Australian Medicinal Plants Agribusiness (CRCNA project administered by Integria Healthcare Pty Ltd)
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Gas chromatography: Separating inseparables, identifying unidentifiables (ARC LIEF grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Development of a bio-enabled synthesis for the glycopeptide antibiotics (ARC Discovery Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Bio-actives: Value-adding to industrial hemp production
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Separation of Terpenes
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Online, virtual and adaptive learning environments: improving the journey through large first year chemistry courses
    Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Identification of Dopamine Receptor Agonists from Chaste Tree Berry
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Bioproduction and bioavailability of steroidal saponins, bioactives in herbal medicines
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Understanding the mechanism of two important cytochrome P450 catalysed reactions: dehydrogenation and C-C cleavage
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Can understanding antibiotic biogenesis allow construction of chemotherapeutics?
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Understanding the structural basis for catalysis and substrate specificity in non-heme diiron medium-chain alkane hydroxylases (ARC Discovery Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    A NEW CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC TARGET FROM LEISHMANIA SPP. UNDERSTANDING AND INHIBITING CYP61LD, A STEROL C22 DESATURASE
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Biotransformation of Cholesterol into Commercially Important Steroidal Saponins Present in Herbal Medicines
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010
    An integrated high -throughput fluorescence imaging facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Cytochrome P450 libraries for Lead Optimisation in Drug Discovery
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Putting smells into context: Using in vivo technologies to understand plant-insect odour signalling.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Analytical and preparative enantioselective chromatography
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Understanding and Inhibiting P450 CYP24, a target for cancer chemotherapeutics
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    An X-Ray Diffraction Facility for Molecular Structure Determination
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Understanding and Inhibiting P450 CYP24, a target for cancer chemotherapuetics.
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006
    A high resolution, high-throughput chromatographic system for separation and characterisation of complex samples
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Biocatalysts mined from cytochrome P450 Libraries: an innovative tool for accelerating drug development
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Molecular Breeding Of Biocatalysts Mined From Cytochrome P450 Libraries: An Innovative Tool for Accelerating Drug Development
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    What is in therapeutically prescribed herbal medicines? Phytochemical characterisation of steroidal saponins from two popular nutraceuticals, False Unicorn and Tribulus terrestris.
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Disruption of Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis: A Novel Control Method for Pestiferous Fruit Flies
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN)
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Unprecedented Alkaloid Hybrids that Selectively Modulate Various Cancers and the Central Nervous System
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Structural chacterization of active constituents in plant extracts with potential for the control of ovine lice and parasitic worms
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Molecular breeding of cytochrome P450 enzymes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    The Biosynthesis of Mycobactin T, a Virulence Factor from Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Characterisation of Biol, a Carbon Carbon Bond Cleaving P450
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Fruit-fly sex pheromones: biosynthesis and enzymology
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Polyketide synthases from marine molluscs
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Conversion of P450cn into P450 cam: a prelude to engineering biodegradative pathways
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Cloning, expression and characterisation of two novel proteins involved in biotin biosynthesis
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    Pyochelin: a siderophore and virulence factor from pathogenic pseudomonads
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor James De Voss is:
Available for supervision

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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

    Microbial manufacturing of plant saponin-inspired vaccine adjuvants

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identification of the Structure and bioavailability of bioactive compounds from Australian native plants.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploiting plant biosynthesis to produce vaccine adjuvants

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for triterpenoid production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Isolation and identification of natural products from Australian Native Medicinal Plants

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of novel probes and inhibitors of carbohydrate-binding proteins

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

  • 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

Completed supervision

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

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