Professor Joanne Blanchfield
Professor

Joanne Blanchfield

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53622

Background

Natural Products from Traditional Medicines and drug development.

My group focuses on isolating bioactive natural products from plants and organisms used in traditional and herbal medicines in cultures across the globe. We screen extracts and purified compounds for biological activity and for bioavailability using cell techniques. We are also involved in synthesising analogues of natural compounds and components of subunit vaccines. We also work with first responders to develop methods for detection and decompostion of dangerous chemicals.

Availability

Professor Joanne Blanchfield is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemistry

Qualifications

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

Research interests

  • Natural products from traditional medicines

    Plants used for thousands of years for their medicinal properties are valuable sources of potential drug leads. We use the ancient knowledge of traditional medicines from across the globe to guide our search for potential bioactive compounds.

  • Detection and decomposition of hazardous chemicals

    The accurate detection and effective decomposition of dangerous chemicals such as illicit drugs and toxic agents is essential for the safety of first responders and military personal. We work closely with these groups to ensure that they have the best protocols for detection in real time and the most effective and safe decomposition methods available.

Research impacts

Our work with first responders and the Defence Force has identified a more effective method of decomposition of dangerous pharceutical agents encountered in various field settings. We are also working on optimising a method of detection for the most dangerous of compounds that can be performed on site and in real time. This work leads to a safer environment for first responders and for the community.

Our work with the indigenous communities and herbal medicine industry partners has identified bioactive compounds in Australian native plants that have been used by indigenous groups for hundreds of years.

Search Professor Joanne Blanchfield’s works on UQ eSpace

141 works between 1991 and 2024
All (141) Journal Article (82) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (56) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 141 works

2024

Journal Article

Lipidated brush-PEG polymers as low molecular weight pulmonary drug delivery platforms

Kaminskas, Lisa M., Butcher, Neville J., Subasic, Christopher N., Kothapalli, Ashok, Haque, Shadabul, Grace, James L., Morsdorf, Alexander, Blanchfield, Joanne T., Whittaker, Andrew K., Quinn, John F. and Whittaker, Michael R. (2024). Lipidated brush-PEG polymers as low molecular weight pulmonary drug delivery platforms. Expert Opinion On Drug Delivery, 21 (1), 151-167. doi: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2305116

Lipidated brush-PEG polymers as low molecular weight pulmonary drug delivery platforms

2024

Journal Article

Detection of low-level fentanyl concentrations in mixtures of cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and caffeine via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Muneer, Saiqa, Smith, Matthew, Bazley, Mikaela M., Cozzolino, Daniel and Blanchfield, Joanne T. (2024). Detection of low-level fentanyl concentrations in mixtures of cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and caffeine via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Journal of Forensic Sciences. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15652

Detection of low-level fentanyl concentrations in mixtures of cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and caffeine via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

2024

Journal Article

Lipid sulfoxide polymers as potential inhalable drug delivery platforms with differential albumin binding affinity

Ediriweera, Gayathri R., Butcher, Neville J., Kothapalli, Ashok, Zhao, Jiacheng, Blanchfield, Joanne T., Subasic, Christopher N., Grace, James L., Fu, Changkui, Tan, Xiao, Quinn, John F., Ascher, David B., Whittaker, Michael R., Whittaker, Andrew K. and Kaminskas, Lisa M. (2024). Lipid sulfoxide polymers as potential inhalable drug delivery platforms with differential albumin binding affinity. Biomaterials Science, 12 (11), 2978-2992. doi: 10.1039/d3bm02020g

Lipid sulfoxide polymers as potential inhalable drug delivery platforms with differential albumin binding affinity

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

2023

Journal Article

Utilization of endogenous albumin trafficking pathways in the lungs has potential to modestly increase the lung interstitial access and absorption of drug delivery systems after inhaled administration

Ibrahim, Jibriil P., Butcher, Neville J., Kothapalli, Ashok, Subasic, Christopher N., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Whittaker, Andrew K., Whittaker, Michael R and Kaminskas, Lisa M. (2023). Utilization of endogenous albumin trafficking pathways in the lungs has potential to modestly increase the lung interstitial access and absorption of drug delivery systems after inhaled administration. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 20 (8), 1145-1155. doi: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2244881

Utilization of endogenous albumin trafficking pathways in the lungs has potential to modestly increase the lung interstitial access and absorption of drug delivery systems after inhaled administration

2023

Journal Article

Characterization of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in Dioscorea transversa

Salisbury, Lauren J., Fletcher, Stephen J., Stok, Jeanette E., Churchman, Luke R., Blanchfield, Joanne T. and De Voss, James J. (2023). Characterization of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in Dioscorea transversa. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 299 (6) 104768, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104768

Characterization of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in Dioscorea transversa

2023

Journal Article

Special Issue in Honor of Professor Mary Garson AM

Blanchfield, Joanne T., Nonato, Maribel G. and Clark, Richard J. (2023). Special Issue in Honor of Professor Mary Garson AM. Journal of Natural Products, 86 (3), 473-474. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00088

Special Issue in Honor of Professor Mary Garson AM

2022

Journal Article

Phytochemical composition of Denhamia obscura (A. Rich.) Meisn. Ex Walp. root bark, seeds and leaves

Jesus, Matheus Carpinelli De, Wapling, Johanna, Kiem, Eunice, Stockdale, Tegan, Whittaker, Jacob J., Clegg, Jack K., Leach, David, Church, Taylah, Collins, Raelene, Leach, Greg, Hewitt, David, De Voss, James J. and Blanchfield, Joanne T. (2022). Phytochemical composition of Denhamia obscura (A. Rich.) Meisn. Ex Walp. root bark, seeds and leaves. Arkivoc, 2022 (4), 123-142. doi: 10.24820/ark.5550190.p011.828

Phytochemical composition of Denhamia obscura (A. Rich.) Meisn. Ex Walp. root bark, seeds and leaves

2022

Journal Article

Design, synthesis and evaluation of alpha lipoic acid derivatives to treat multiple sclerosis-associated central neuropathic pain

Kong, Dehui, Saqer, Alaa A., Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Khan, Nemat, Jones, Alun, Blanchfield, Joanne T., Smith, Maree T. and Williams, Craig M. (2022). Design, synthesis and evaluation of alpha lipoic acid derivatives to treat multiple sclerosis-associated central neuropathic pain. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 69 116889, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116889

Design, synthesis and evaluation of alpha lipoic acid derivatives to treat multiple sclerosis-associated central neuropathic pain

2022

Conference Publication

Stingless bee honeys feature an unusual bioactive sugar, trehalulose

Hungerford, N. L., Zhang, J., Smith, T. J., Yates, H. S. A., Carpinelli de Jesus, M., Webber, D., Stone, I. S. J. , Blanchfield, J. T., Zawawi, N. and Fletcher, M. T. (2022). Stingless bee honeys feature an unusual bioactive sugar, trehalulose. 3rd Australian Native Bee Conference, Rosehill, NSW Australia, 11-12 June 2022.

Stingless bee honeys feature an unusual bioactive sugar, trehalulose

2022

Journal Article

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum-resin essential oil extracted by superheated steam

Ayub, Muhammad Adnan, Hanif, Muhammad Asif, Blanchfield, Joanne, Zubair, Muhammad, Abid, Muhammad Amin and Saleh, Muhammad Tahir (2022). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum-resin essential oil extracted by superheated steam. Natural Product Research, 37 (14), 1-6. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2044327

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Boswellia serrata oleo-gum-resin essential oil extracted by superheated steam

2021

Conference Publication

Stingless bees produce honey rich in the beneficial disaccharide, trehalulose

Hungerford, Natasha L., Zhang, Jiali, Smith, Tobias J., Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Yates, Hans S. A., Chowdhury, Sadia A., Carter, James F., Webber, Dennis, Stone, Isobella S. J., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Zawawi, Norhasnida, Schirra, Horst J., Tran, Trong D. and Fletcher, Mary T. (2021). Stingless bees produce honey rich in the beneficial disaccharide, trehalulose. Symposium of Research & Innovation for Food (SoRIF), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia via WebEX, 23-24 June 2021.

Stingless bees produce honey rich in the beneficial disaccharide, trehalulose

2021

Journal Article

A Semi-quantitative method for the detection of fentanyl using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a handheld Raman instrument

Smith, Matthew, Logan, Mike, Bazley, Mikaela, Blanchfield, Joanne, Stokes, Robert, Blanco, Ana and McGee, Rachel (2021). A Semi-quantitative method for the detection of fentanyl using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a handheld Raman instrument. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 66 (2), 505-519. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14610

A Semi-quantitative method for the detection of fentanyl using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a handheld Raman instrument

2021

Conference Publication

Stingless Bee Honey’s unique properties

Hungerford, Natasha L., Zhang, Jiali, Smith, Tobias J., Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Yates, Hans S. A., Chowdhury, Sadia A., Carter, James F., Webber, Dennis, Stone, Isobella S. J., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Zawawi, Norhasnida and Fletcher, Mary T. (2021). Stingless Bee Honey’s unique properties. Australian Apitherapy Association Global Conference 2021, Online, 26-27 November 2021.

Stingless Bee Honey’s unique properties

2020

Conference Publication

Stingless bee honey as a unique source of trehalulose

Hungerford, Natasha L., Zhang, Jiali, Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Yates, Hans, Webber, Dennis, Stone Isolbella S. J., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Zawawi, Norhasnida and Fletcher, Mary T. (2020). Stingless bee honey as a unique source of trehalulose. 5th Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, QACS 2020, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27 November 2020.

Stingless bee honey as a unique source of trehalulose

2020

Journal Article

Caco-2 cell permeability of flavonoids and saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum: the immortal herb

Ahmed, Iftekhar, Leach, David N., Wohlmuth, Hans, De Voss, James J. and Blanchfield, Joanne T. (2020). Caco-2 cell permeability of flavonoids and saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum: the immortal herb. ACS Omega, 5 (34) acsomega.0c02180, 21561-21569. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02180

Caco-2 cell permeability of flavonoids and saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum: the immortal herb

2020

Journal Article

Stingless bee honey, a novel source of trehalulose: a biologically active disaccharide with health benefits

Fletcher, Mary T., Hungerford, Natasha L., Webber, Dennis, Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Zhang, Jiali, Stone, Isobella S. J., Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Zawawi, Norhasnida (2020). Stingless bee honey, a novel source of trehalulose: a biologically active disaccharide with health benefits. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 12128, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68940-0

Stingless bee honey, a novel source of trehalulose: a biologically active disaccharide with health benefits

2020

Journal Article

Decontamination of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in field and laboratory settings: a review of fentanyl degradation

Bazley, Mikaela M., Logan, Michael, Baxter, Christina, Robertson, Avril A. B. and Blanchfield, Joanne T. (2020). Decontamination of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in field and laboratory settings: a review of fentanyl degradation. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 73 (10), 868-879. doi: 10.1071/CH19669

Decontamination of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in field and laboratory settings: a review of fentanyl degradation

2020

Journal Article

Fluorescent macrolide probes – synthesis and use in evaluation of bacterial resistance

Stone, M. Rhia L., Łapińska, Urszula, Pagliara, Stefano, Masi, Muriel, Blanchfield, Joanne T., Cooper, Matthew A. and Blaskovich, Mark A. T. (2020). Fluorescent macrolide probes – synthesis and use in evaluation of bacterial resistance. RSC Chemical Biology, 1 (5), 395-404. doi: 10.1039/d0cb00118j

Fluorescent macrolide probes – synthesis and use in evaluation of bacterial resistance

2019

Journal Article

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids of Blue Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule) and their presence in Australian honey

Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Hungerford, Natasha L., Carter, Steve J., Anuj, Shalona R., Blanchfield, Joanne T., De Voss, James Joseph and Fletcher, Mary T. (2019). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids of Blue Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule) and their presence in Australian honey. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 67 (28) acs.jafc.9b02136, 7995-8006. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b02136

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids of Blue Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule) and their presence in Australian honey

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2022
    Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) using Spatial Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) for spectral analysis of selected threats
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    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 - 2017
    Bioproduction and bioavailability of steroidal saponins, bioactives in herbal medicines
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    An evaluation of the effectiveness of various absorption enhancers on the bioavailability of herbal extracts
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Assessing the oral bioavailability of components of herbal extracts using Caco-2 cell monolayers
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Physiological effects of bile pigments (Austrian Science Fund project administered by the University of Vienna)
    University of Vienna
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    New neuropathic pain drugs
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Analytical and preparative enantioselective chromatography
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    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
  • 2006 - 2008
    Next Generation Polymer Nanostructures
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Biological membrane transporters:  Delivery of an oligonucleotide inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Synthesis Of Glycopeptide CNS Drug Candidates Applying Chemical And Chemo-Enzymatic Methods
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    A novel liposaccharide system for the delivery of opioid peptides across the blood brain barrier
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    A combinatorial approach to creation of new epitopes with biological activity
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Joanne Blanchfield is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Identification of bioactive compounds from Australian native plants

    In consultation with indigenous collaborators and herbal medicine industry collaborators, we extract Australian native plants that have been identifying as having some medicinal properties and screen the extracts for selected biological activities. We then fractionate the extracts using a variety of chromatographic techniques to isolate individual natural products present in the plants. The structures of these compounds are then identified using modern analytical techniques including mass spectrometry and 1 and 2 dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The isolated compounds and extracts can also be screened for potential bioavailability using Caco-2 cell monolayers.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The construction of synthetic mimics of complex conformational epitopes of HIV

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Burn

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Isolation and identification of natural products from Australian Native Medicinal Plants

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of peptide antibiotic constituents for elucidation of their biosyntheses and II) Characterization of bacterial cytochromes P450

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Conotoxins - advanced probes for studying pain pathways

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Selenium - The SuperElement against Superbugs

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Bioactive Phytochemicals from Australian Native Plants used as Ingienous medicines

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

Completed supervision

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