Professor James De Voss
Professor

James De Voss

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54622

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

252 works between 1985 and 2025
All (252) Journal Article (196) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (50) Other Outputs (1)

81 - 100 of 252 works

2016

Conference Publication

An assessment of the utility of DNA barcoding in the quality control of herbal raw materials, extracts and finished products

Wohlmuth, H., Leach, D., McGrath, K., Gordon, L., Mouatt, P. and De Voss, J. (2016). An assessment of the utility of DNA barcoding in the quality control of herbal raw materials, extracts and finished products. 9th Joint Meeting of AFERP, ASP, GA, JSP, PSE and SIF, Copenhagen, Denmark, 24 - 27 July 2016. Stuttgart, Germany: Georg Thieme Verlag. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1597032

An assessment of the utility of DNA barcoding in the quality control of herbal raw materials, extracts and finished products

2015

Journal Article

Biosynthetic insights provided by unusual sesterterpenes from the medicinal herb Aletris farinosa

Challinor, Victoria L., Johnston, Ryne C., Bernhardt, Paul V., Lehmann, Reginald P., Krenske, Elizabeth H. and De Voss, James J. (2015). Biosynthetic insights provided by unusual sesterterpenes from the medicinal herb Aletris farinosa. Chemical Science, 6 (10), 5740-5745. doi: 10.1039/c5sc02056e

Biosynthetic insights provided by unusual sesterterpenes from the medicinal herb Aletris farinosa

2015

Journal Article

CYP199A4 catalyses the efficient demethylation and demethenylation of para-substituted benzoic acid derivatives

Coleman, Tom, Chao, Rebecca R., Bruning, John B., De Voss, James J. and Bell, Stephen G. (2015). CYP199A4 catalyses the efficient demethylation and demethenylation of para-substituted benzoic acid derivatives. RSC Advances, 5 (64), 52007-52018. doi: 10.1039/c5ra08730a

CYP199A4 catalyses the efficient demethylation and demethenylation of para-substituted benzoic acid derivatives

2015

Book Chapter

Cytochrome P450cin (CYP176A1)

Stok, Jeanette E., Slessor, Kate E., Farlow, Anthony J., Hawkes, David B. and De Voss, James J. (2015). Cytochrome P450cin (CYP176A1). Monooxygenase, Peroxidase and Peroxygenase Properties and Mechanisms of Cytochrome P450. (pp. 319-339) edited by Eugene G. Hrycay and Stelvio M. Bandiera. New York, NY United States: Springer New York LLC. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16009-2_12

Cytochrome P450cin (CYP176A1)

2014

Journal Article

Electrochemically mediated enantioselective reduction of chiral sulfoxides

Chen, Kuan I., Challinor, Victoria L., Kielmann, Linda, Sharpe, Philip C., De Voss, James J., Kappler, Ulrike, McEwan, Alastair G. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2014). Electrochemically mediated enantioselective reduction of chiral sulfoxides. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 20 (2), 395-402. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1215-5

Electrochemically mediated enantioselective reduction of chiral sulfoxides

2014

Journal Article

Oxidative carbon-carbon bond cleavage is a key step in spiroacetal biosynthesis in the fruit fly Bactrocera cacuminata

Singh, Arti A., Rowley, Jessica A., Schwartz, Brett D., Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2014). Oxidative carbon-carbon bond cleavage is a key step in spiroacetal biosynthesis in the fruit fly Bactrocera cacuminata. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 79 (17), 7799-7821. doi: 10.1021/jo500791y

Oxidative carbon-carbon bond cleavage is a key step in spiroacetal biosynthesis in the fruit fly Bactrocera cacuminata

2014

Journal Article

Structural and mechanistic insight into alkane hydroxylation by Pseudomonas putida AlkB

Alonso, Hernan, Kleifeld, Oded, Yeheskel, Adva, Ong, Poh C., Liu, Yu C., Stok, Jeanette E., De Voss, James J. and Roujeinikova, Anna (2014). Structural and mechanistic insight into alkane hydroxylation by Pseudomonas putida AlkB. Biochemical Journal, 460 (2), 283-293. doi: 10.1042/BJ20131648

Structural and mechanistic insight into alkane hydroxylation by Pseudomonas putida AlkB

2014

Journal Article

Carbon-Carbon bond cleavage in activation of the prodrug nabumetone

Varfaj, Fatbardha, Zulkifli, Siti N. A., Park, Hyoung-Goo, Challinor, Victoria L., De Voss, James J. and De Montellano, Paul R. Ortiz (2014). Carbon-Carbon bond cleavage in activation of the prodrug nabumetone. Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 42 (5), 828-838. doi: 10.1124/dmd.114.056903

Carbon-Carbon bond cleavage in activation of the prodrug nabumetone

2013

Journal Article

Synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of (-)-(5R,6Z)-dendrolasin-5-acetate from the nudibranch Hypselodoris jacksoni

Mudianta, I. Wayan, Challinor, Victoria L., Winters, Anne E., Cheney, Karen L., De Voss, James J. and Garson, Mary J. (2013). Synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of (-)-(5R,6Z)-dendrolasin-5-acetate from the nudibranch Hypselodoris jacksoni. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, 9 (1), 2925-2933. doi: 10.3762/bjoc.9.329

Synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of (-)-(5R,6Z)-dendrolasin-5-acetate from the nudibranch Hypselodoris jacksoni

2013

Journal Article

Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa

Challinor, Victoria L., Chap, Sonet, Lehmann, Reginald P., Bernhardt, Paul V. and De Voss, James J. (2013). Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa. Journal of Natural Products, 76 (4), 485-488. doi: 10.1021/np400035n

Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa

2013

Journal Article

Synthesis of oxygenated cineole derivatives from cineole: utility of cytochrome P450(cin) as an enantioselective catalyst

Farlow, Anthony J., Bernhardt, Paul V. and De Voss, James J. (2013). Synthesis of oxygenated cineole derivatives from cineole: utility of cytochrome P450(cin) as an enantioselective catalyst. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry, 24 (5-6), 324-333. doi: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2013.02.004

Synthesis of oxygenated cineole derivatives from cineole: utility of cytochrome P450(cin) as an enantioselective catalyst

2013

Journal Article

Cytochrome P450(cin) (CYP176A1) D241N: investigating the role of the conserved acid in the active site of cytochrome P450s

Stok, Jeanette E., Yamada, Sean, Farlow, Anthony J., Slessor, Kate E. and De Voss, James J. (2013). Cytochrome P450(cin) (CYP176A1) D241N: investigating the role of the conserved acid in the active site of cytochrome P450s. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: Proteins and Proteomics, 1834 (3), 688-696. doi: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2012.12.022

Cytochrome P450(cin) (CYP176A1) D241N: investigating the role of the conserved acid in the active site of cytochrome P450s

2013

Journal Article

Open-chain steroidal glycosides, a diverse class of plant saponins

Challinor, Victoria L. and De Voss, James J. (2013). Open-chain steroidal glycosides, a diverse class of plant saponins. Natural Product Reports, 30 (3), 429-454. doi: 10.1039/c3np20105h

Open-chain steroidal glycosides, a diverse class of plant saponins

2013

Book Chapter

Plant steroidal saponins: A focus on open-chain glycosides

Challinor, Victoria L. and de Voss, James J. (2013). Plant steroidal saponins: A focus on open-chain glycosides. Natural Products: Phytochemistry, Botany and Metabolism of Alkaloids, Phenolics and Terpenes. (pp. 3225-3250) edited by Kishan Gopal Ramawat and Jean-Michel Mérillon. Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-22144-6_139

Plant steroidal saponins: A focus on open-chain glycosides

2012

Journal Article

Enzyme-substrate complementarity governs access to a cationic reaction manifold in the P450(BM3) -catalysed oxidation of cyclopropyl fatty acids

Cryle, Max J., Hayes, Patricia Y. and De Voss, James J. (2012). Enzyme-substrate complementarity governs access to a cationic reaction manifold in the P450(BM3) -catalysed oxidation of cyclopropyl fatty acids. Chemistry : A European Journal, 18 (50), 15994-15999. doi: 10.1002/chem.201203035

Enzyme-substrate complementarity governs access to a cationic reaction manifold in the P450(BM3) -catalysed oxidation of cyclopropyl fatty acids

2012

Journal Article

Plakortolide stereochemistry revisited: the checkered history of plakortolides e and i

Yong, Ken W. L., Barnych, Bogdan, De Voss, James J., Vatele, Jean-Michael and Garson, Mary J. (2012). Plakortolide stereochemistry revisited: the checkered history of plakortolides e and i. Journal of Natural Products, 75 (10), 1792-1797. doi: 10.1021/np3005634

Plakortolide stereochemistry revisited: the checkered history of plakortolides e and i

2012

Journal Article

Structure and bioactivity of steroidal saponins isolated from the roots of Chamaelirium luteum (False Unicorn)

Challinor, Victoria L., Stuthe, Julia M. U., Parsons, Peter G., Lambert, Lynette K., Lehmann, Reginald P., Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2012). Structure and bioactivity of steroidal saponins isolated from the roots of Chamaelirium luteum (False Unicorn). Journal of Natural Products, 75 (8), 1469-1479. doi: 10.1021/np300393y

Structure and bioactivity of steroidal saponins isolated from the roots of Chamaelirium luteum (False Unicorn)

2012

Journal Article

An in vivo cytochrome P450(cin) (CYP176A1) catalytic system for metabolite production

Slessor, Kate E., Hawkes, David B., Farlow, Anthony, Pearson, Andrew G., Stok, Jeanette E. and De Voss, James J. (2012). An in vivo cytochrome P450(cin) (CYP176A1) catalytic system for metabolite production. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic, 79, 15-20. doi: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2012.03.007

An in vivo cytochrome P450(cin) (CYP176A1) catalytic system for metabolite production

2012

Journal Article

Substrate analog studies of the ω-regiospecificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cholesterol metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP124A1, CYP125A1 and CYP142A1

Johnston, Jonathan B., Singh, Arti A., Clary, Anaelle A., Chen, Chiung-Kuan, Hayes, Patricia Y., Chow, Sharon, De Voss, James J. and de Montellano, Paul R. O. (2012). Substrate analog studies of the ω-regiospecificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cholesterol metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP124A1, CYP125A1 and CYP142A1. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 20 (13), 4064-4081. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.05.003

Substrate analog studies of the ω-regiospecificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cholesterol metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP124A1, CYP125A1 and CYP142A1

2012

Journal Article

NMR assignment of the absolute configuration of C-25 in furostanol steroidal saponins

Challinor, Victoria L., Piacente, Sonia and De Voss, James J. (2012). NMR assignment of the absolute configuration of C-25 in furostanol steroidal saponins. Steroids, 77 (6), 602-608. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2012.02.002

NMR assignment of the absolute configuration of C-25 in furostanol steroidal saponins

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

    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

    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

    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

  • 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

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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