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)

121 - 140 of 252 works

2011

Conference Publication

Using NMR-based methods to assign the stereochemistry of bioactive cyclic peroxide metabolites

Yong, Ken W., Lambert, Lynette K., De Voss, James J. and Garson, Mary J. (2011). Using NMR-based methods to assign the stereochemistry of bioactive cyclic peroxide metabolites. NZ Institute of Chemistry Conference (NZIC, 2011), Hamilton, N.Z., 27 November-1 December 2011. Harewood, Christchurch, N.Z.: NZ Institute of Chemistry.

Using NMR-based methods to assign the stereochemistry of bioactive cyclic peroxide metabolites

2011

Journal Article

Biosynthesis of the spiroacetal suite in bactrocera tryoni

Booth, Yvonne K., Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2011). Biosynthesis of the spiroacetal suite in bactrocera tryoni. ChemBioChem, 12 (1), 155-172. doi: 10.1002/cbic.201000481

Biosynthesis of the spiroacetal suite in bactrocera tryoni

2011

Conference Publication

Spectroscopic insights into Cyclic Polyketide Peroxides: New Plakortolides from Plakinastrella clathrata Kirkpatrick, 1900

Yong, Ken W.L., De Voss, James J., Hooper, John N.A. and Garson, Mary J. (2011). Spectroscopic insights into Cyclic Polyketide Peroxides: New Plakortolides from Plakinastrella clathrata Kirkpatrick, 1900. 27th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products and the 7th International Conference on Biodiversity, Brisbane, Australia, 10 - 15 July 2011. Research Triangle Park, United States: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Spectroscopic insights into Cyclic Polyketide Peroxides: New Plakortolides from Plakinastrella clathrata Kirkpatrick, 1900

2010

Journal Article

Daphnane- and tigliane-type diterpenoid esters and orthoesters from Pimelea elongata

Hayes, PY, Chow, S, Somerville, MJ, Fletcher, MT and De Voss, JJ (2010). Daphnane- and tigliane-type diterpenoid esters and orthoesters from Pimelea elongata. Journal of Natural Products, 73 (11), 1907-1913. doi: 10.1021/np1005746

Daphnane- and tigliane-type diterpenoid esters and orthoesters from Pimelea elongata

2010

Journal Article

Synthesis of the sponge-derived plakortone series of bioactive compounds

Hayes, PY, Chow, S, Rahm, F, Bernhardt, PV, De Voss, JJ and Kitching, W (2010). Synthesis of the sponge-derived plakortone series of bioactive compounds. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 75 (19), 6489-6501. doi: 10.1021/jo101224w

Synthesis of the sponge-derived plakortone series of bioactive compounds

2010

Journal Article

Cloning, expression and purification of cindoxin, an unusual FMN-containing cytochrome P450 redox partner

Hawkes, David B., Slessor, Kate E., Bernhardt, Paul V. and De Voss, James J. (2010). Cloning, expression and purification of cindoxin, an unusual FMN-containing cytochrome P450 redox partner. ChemBioChem, 11 (8), 1107-1114. doi: 10.1002/cbic.201000119

Cloning, expression and purification of cindoxin, an unusual FMN-containing cytochrome P450 redox partner

2010

Journal Article

Cineole biodegradation: Molecular cloning, expression and characterisation of (1R)-6beta - hydroxycineole dehydrogenase from Citrobacter braakii

Slessor, Kate E., Stok, Jeanette E., Cavaignac, Sonia M., Hawkes, David B., Ghasemi, Younes and De Voss, James J. (2010). Cineole biodegradation: Molecular cloning, expression and characterisation of (1R)-6beta - hydroxycineole dehydrogenase from Citrobacter braakii. Bioorganic Chemistry, 38 (2), 81-86. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2009.12.003

Cineole biodegradation: Molecular cloning, expression and characterisation of (1R)-6beta - hydroxycineole dehydrogenase from Citrobacter braakii

2010

Journal Article

Ptesculentoside, a novel norsesquiterpene glucoside from the Australian bracken fern Pteridium esculentum

Fletcher, Mary T., Hayes, Patricia Y., Somerville, Michael, J. and De Voss, James J. (2010). Ptesculentoside, a novel norsesquiterpene glucoside from the Australian bracken fern Pteridium esculentum. Tetrahedron Letters, 51 (15), 1997-1999. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2010.02.032

Ptesculentoside, a novel norsesquiterpene glucoside from the Australian bracken fern Pteridium esculentum

2010

Conference Publication

Spectroscopic insight into cyclic polyketide peroxides: plakortolide F and 6-epiplakortolide F

Yong, K. W. L., De Voss, J. J., Hooper, J. N. A. and Garson, M. J. (2010). Spectroscopic insight into cyclic polyketide peroxides: plakortolide F and 6-epiplakortolide F. 6th Annual SCMB Research Students Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Austalia, 25 November 2010.

Spectroscopic insight into cyclic polyketide peroxides: plakortolide F and 6-epiplakortolide F

2010

Conference Publication

Spectroscopic insight into cyclic polyketide peroxides: Plakortolide F and 6-epiplakortolide F

Yong, K. W. L., De Voss, J. J., Hooper, J. N. A. and Garson, M. J. (2010). Spectroscopic insight into cyclic polyketide peroxides: Plakortolide F and 6-epiplakortolide F. 5th Annual Symposium on Marine Natural Products and Drug Discovery, Pohan, South Korea, September 2010.

Spectroscopic insight into cyclic polyketide peroxides: Plakortolide F and 6-epiplakortolide F

2010

Journal Article

Spiroacetal biosynthesis in fruit flies is complex: distinguishable origins of the same major spiroacetal released by different Bactrocera spp.

Schwartz, Brett D., Booth, Yvonne K., Fletcher, Mary T., Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2010). Spiroacetal biosynthesis in fruit flies is complex: distinguishable origins of the same major spiroacetal released by different Bactrocera spp.. Chemical Communications, 46 (9), 1526-1528. doi: 10.1039/b917977a

Spiroacetal biosynthesis in fruit flies is complex: distinguishable origins of the same major spiroacetal released by different Bactrocera spp.

2009

Journal Article

Pimelotides A and B, diterpenoid ketal-lactone orthoesters with an unprecedented skeleton from Pimelea elongata

Hayes, Patricia Y., Chow, Sharon, Somerville, Michael J., De Voss, James J. and Fletcher, Mary T. (2009). Pimelotides A and B, diterpenoid ketal-lactone orthoesters with an unprecedented skeleton from Pimelea elongata. Journal of Natural Products, 72 (12), 2081-2083. doi: 10.1021/np900573k

Pimelotides A and B, diterpenoid ketal-lactone orthoesters with an unprecedented skeleton from Pimelea elongata

2009

Journal Article

Biosynthesis of insect spiroacetals

Booth, Yvonne K., Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2009). Biosynthesis of insect spiroacetals. Natural Product Reports, 26 (4), 490-525. doi: 10.1039/b717392j

Biosynthesis of insect spiroacetals

2009

Journal Article

Steroidal saponins from the roots of Trillium erectum (Beth root)

Hayes, Patricia Y., Lehmann, Reg, Penman, Kerry, Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2009). Steroidal saponins from the roots of Trillium erectum (Beth root). Phytochemistry, 70 (1), 105-113. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2008.10.019

Steroidal saponins from the roots of Trillium erectum (Beth root)

2009

Conference Publication

Cytochrome P450-mediated fatty acid oxidation: Mechanistic investigations

Singh, Arti, Cryle, M., Hunter, D,, Stok, J. and De Voss, J. (2009). Cytochrome P450-mediated fatty acid oxidation: Mechanistic investigations. ICCC2009: 16th International Conference on Cytochrome P450. Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Nago, Okinawa, Japan, 21-25 June 2009. Bologna, Italy: Medimond S.r.l..

Cytochrome P450-mediated fatty acid oxidation: Mechanistic investigations

2008

Journal Article

Spiroacetal biosynthesis in insects from Diptera to Hymenoptera: The Giant Ichneumon wasp Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni Cresson

Schwartz, Brett D., Moore, Christopher J., Rahm, Frederik, Hayes, Patricia Y., Kitching, William and De Voss, James J. (2008). Spiroacetal biosynthesis in insects from Diptera to Hymenoptera: The Giant Ichneumon wasp Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni Cresson. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130 (44), 14853-14860. doi: 10.1021/ja8036433

Spiroacetal biosynthesis in insects from Diptera to Hymenoptera: The Giant Ichneumon wasp Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni Cresson

2008

Journal Article

Re-engineering of CYP2C9 to probe acid-base substrate selectivity

Tai, Guoying, Dickmann, Leslie J., Matovic, Nicholas, DeVoss, James J., Gillam, Elizabeth M. J. and Rettie, Allan E. (2008). Re-engineering of CYP2C9 to probe acid-base substrate selectivity. Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 36 (10), 1992-1997. doi: 10.1124/dmd.108.022186

Re-engineering of CYP2C9 to probe acid-base substrate selectivity

2008

Journal Article

The critical role of substrate-protein hydrogen bonding in the control of regioselective hydroxylation in P450cin

Meharenna, YT, Slessor, KE, Cavaignac, SM, Poulos, TL and De Voss, JJ (2008). The critical role of substrate-protein hydrogen bonding in the control of regioselective hydroxylation in P450cin. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (16), 10804-10812. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M709722200

The critical role of substrate-protein hydrogen bonding in the control of regioselective hydroxylation in P450cin

2008

Journal Article

Quantitative whole-cell cytochrome P450 measurement suitable for high-throughput application

Johnston, Wayne A., Huang, Weiliang, De Voss, James J., Hayes, Martin A. and Gillam, Elizabeth M.J. (2008). Quantitative whole-cell cytochrome P450 measurement suitable for high-throughput application. Journal of Biomolecular Screening, 13 (2), 135-141. doi: 10.1177/1087057107312780

Quantitative whole-cell cytochrome P450 measurement suitable for high-throughput application

2008

Journal Article

Steroidal saponins from the roots of Asparagus racemosus

Hayes, P., Jahidin, A., Lehmann, R., Penman, K., Kitching, W. and De Voss, J. (2008). Steroidal saponins from the roots of Asparagus racemosus. Phytochemistry, 69 (3), 796-804. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.09.001

Steroidal saponins from the roots of Asparagus racemosus

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

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

    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

    Structure Elucidation in Pursuit of Bioactive Compounds

    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

    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

    Bioactive Phytochemicals from Australian Native Plants used as Ingienous medicines

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploiting plant biosynthesis to produce vaccine adjuvants

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert

  • 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

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

    Associate 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

    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

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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au