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

140 works between 1991 and 2024
All (140) Journal Article (81) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (56) Other Outputs (1)

61 - 80 of 140 works

2008

Conference Publication

Intestinal and intraperitoneal absorption and bioavailability of the antioxidants unconjugated bilirubin, biliverdin and bilirubin ditaurate in the rat

Bulmer, A. C., Coombes, J. S., Blanchfield, J. T., Toth, I., Fassett, R. G. and Taylor, S. M. (2008). Intestinal and intraperitoneal absorption and bioavailability of the antioxidants unconjugated bilirubin, biliverdin and bilirubin ditaurate in the rat. SFRR-E Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 5-9 July, 2008. London: Gordon and Breach. doi: 10.1080/10715760802207914

Intestinal and intraperitoneal absorption and bioavailability of the antioxidants unconjugated bilirubin, biliverdin and bilirubin ditaurate in the rat

2008

Conference Publication

Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress

Garson, M.J., Rudiyansyah, Rands-Trevor, K., Suciati, Suciati, Yong, K.W.L., Lambert, L.K., Ross, B.P. and Blanchfield, J.T. (2008). Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress. The Halpern Symposium, Wollongong, Australia, July, 2008.

Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress

2008

Journal Article

In vitro stability and permeability studies of liposomal delivery systems for a novel lipophilic endomorphin 1 analogue

Koda, Y., Liang, M., Blanchfield, J. T. and Toth, I. (2008). In vitro stability and permeability studies of liposomal delivery systems for a novel lipophilic endomorphin 1 analogue. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 356 (1-2), 37-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2007.12.036

In vitro stability and permeability studies of liposomal delivery systems for a novel lipophilic endomorphin 1 analogue

2008

Journal Article

The anti-mutagenic properties of bile pigments

Bulmer, A., Ried, K., Blanchfield, J. and Wagner, K. (2008). The anti-mutagenic properties of bile pigments. Mutation Research, 658 (1-2), 28-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2007.05.001

The anti-mutagenic properties of bile pigments

2008

Conference Publication

Absorption and pharmacokinetics of bilirubin and biliverdin administration in the rat

Bulmer, A.C., Coombes, J.S., Blanchfield, J.T., Toth, I. and Taylor, S.M. (2008). Absorption and pharmacokinetics of bilirubin and biliverdin administration in the rat. Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, 16 - 21 November, 2008.

Absorption and pharmacokinetics of bilirubin and biliverdin administration in the rat

2008

Conference Publication

The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acantheall cavernosa

Rands-Trevor, K.L., Blanchfield, J.T. and Garson, M.J. (2008). The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acantheall cavernosa. SMMS Research Higher Degree Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 25 Nov, 2008. Brisbane:

The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acantheall cavernosa

2008

Conference Publication

Undergraduate research experiences: Bridging the gap between teaching and research in a research intensive university

Myatt, Paula, Farrand, Kirsten, Wegener, Margaret and Blanchfield, Joanne (2008). Undergraduate research experiences: Bridging the gap between teaching and research in a research intensive university. 31st Annual HERDSA Conference 2008, Rotorua, New Zealand, 1-4 July, 2008. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.

Undergraduate research experiences: Bridging the gap between teaching and research in a research intensive university

2008

Conference Publication

Improved resistance to serum oxidation in Gilberts syndrome: a mechanism for cardiovascular protection

Bulmer, A. C., Blanchfield, J. T., Toth, I., Fassett, R. G. and Coombes, J. S. (2008). Improved resistance to serum oxidation in Gilberts syndrome: a mechanism for cardiovascular protection. The 2008 meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research - Europe (SFRR-E, Berlin, Germany, 5th-9th July 2008. London: Gordon and Breach. doi: 10.1080/10715760802207914

Improved resistance to serum oxidation in Gilberts syndrome: a mechanism for cardiovascular protection

2008

Conference Publication

Structural and biosynthetic studies on marine terpene metabolites

Garson, M.J., Rands-Trevor, K., Yong, K.W.L. and Blanchfield, J.T. (2008). Structural and biosynthetic studies on marine terpene metabolites. 26th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products & 6th International Conference on Biodiversity, Charlottetown, Canada, July, 2008.

Structural and biosynthetic studies on marine terpene metabolites

2008

Journal Article

In vitro permeability and metabolic stability of bile pigments and the effects of hydrophilic and lipophilic modification of biliverdin

Bulmer, A.C., Blanchfield, J.T., Coombes, J.S. and Toth, I. (2008). In vitro permeability and metabolic stability of bile pigments and the effects of hydrophilic and lipophilic modification of biliverdin. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 16 (7), 3616-3625. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.02.008

In vitro permeability and metabolic stability of bile pigments and the effects of hydrophilic and lipophilic modification of biliverdin

2008

Conference Publication

The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acantheall cavernosa

Rands-Trevor, K., Blanchfield, J.T. and Garson, M.J. (2008). The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acantheall cavernosa. Natural Product Group NSW Branch RACI Annual One-Day Meeting, Lismore, Australia, October 2008.

The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acantheall cavernosa

2007

Journal Article

A comparison of sesquiterpene scaffolds across different populations of the tropical marine sponge Acanthella cavernosa

Jumaryatno, Pinus, Stapleton, Bronwin L., Hooper, John N. A., Brecknell, Douglas J., Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Garson, Mary J. (2007). A comparison of sesquiterpene scaffolds across different populations of the tropical marine sponge Acanthella cavernosa. Journal of Natural Products, 70 (11), 1725-1730. doi: 10.1021/np070156d

A comparison of sesquiterpene scaffolds across different populations of the tropical marine sponge Acanthella cavernosa

2007

Journal Article

Isocyanates in marine sponges: Axisocyanate-3, a new sesquiterpene from Acanthella cavernosa

Jumaryatno, Pinus, Rands-Trevor, Karen, Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Garson, Mary J. (2007). Isocyanates in marine sponges: Axisocyanate-3, a new sesquiterpene from Acanthella cavernosa. ARKIVOC, 2007 (vii), 157-166. doi: 10.3998/ark.5550190.0008.713

Isocyanates in marine sponges: Axisocyanate-3, a new sesquiterpene from Acanthella cavernosa

2007

Journal Article

Oral absorption and in vivo biodistribution of alpha-conotoxin MII and a lipidic analogue

Blanchfield, J., Gallagher, O., Cros, C., Lewis, R., Alewood, P. and Toth, I. (2007). Oral absorption and in vivo biodistribution of alpha-conotoxin MII and a lipidic analogue. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communication, 361 (1), 97-102. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.06.138

Oral absorption and in vivo biodistribution of alpha-conotoxin MII and a lipidic analogue

2007

Journal Article

Caco-2 cell permeability and stability of two D-glucopyranuronamide conjugates of thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Wessling, Susanne T., Ross, Benjamin P., Koda, Yasuko, Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Toth, Istvan (2007). Caco-2 cell permeability and stability of two D-glucopyranuronamide conjugates of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 15 (14), 4946-4950. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2007.04.042

Caco-2 cell permeability and stability of two D-glucopyranuronamide conjugates of thyrotropin-releasing hormone

2007

Journal Article

The anti-mutagenic and antioxidant effects of bile pigments in the Ames Salmonella test

Bulmer, A., Ried, K., Coombes, J., Blanchfield, J., Toth, I. and Wagner, K. (2007). The anti-mutagenic and antioxidant effects of bile pigments in the Ames Salmonella test. Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 629 (2), 122-132. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2007.01.008

The anti-mutagenic and antioxidant effects of bile pigments in the Ames Salmonella test

2007

Journal Article

Comparison of the in vitro apparent permeability and stability of opioid mimetic compounds with that of the native peptide

Koda, Y., Shiotani, K., Toth, I., Tsuda, Y., Okada, Y. and Blanchfield, J. (2007). Comparison of the in vitro apparent permeability and stability of opioid mimetic compounds with that of the native peptide. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 17 (7), 2043-2046. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.01.051

Comparison of the in vitro apparent permeability and stability of opioid mimetic compounds with that of the native peptide

2007

Journal Article

Permeability studies of Kavalactones using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model

Matthias, A., Blanchfield, J., Penman, K., Bone, K., Toth, I. and Lehmann, R. (2007). Permeability studies of Kavalactones using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 32 (3), 233-239. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2007.00810.x

Permeability studies of Kavalactones using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model

2007

Conference Publication

The Advanced Study Program in Science: challenging, motivating and inspiring our best science students

Blanchfield, J., McGraw, E., Bulmer, M., Thier, R., Byers, H., Myatt, P., Hamilton, S. and Evans, R. (2007). The Advanced Study Program in Science: challenging, motivating and inspiring our best science students. Assessment in Science Teaching and Learning Symposium, The University of Sydney, September 28 & 29, 2007. University of Sydney: UniServe Science.

The Advanced Study Program in Science: challenging, motivating and inspiring our best science students

2007

Conference Publication

The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acanthella cavernoa: Axisocyanate-3 and the formation of dimeric ureas

Rands-Trevor, K., Blanchfield, J.T. and Garson, M.J. (2007). The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acanthella cavernoa: Axisocyanate-3 and the formation of dimeric ureas. BBOCS symposium, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 3 December, 2007.

The synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biotransformation in the marine sponge Acanthella cavernoa: Axisocyanate-3 and the formation of dimeric ureas

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

    Isolation and identification of natural products from Australian Native Medicinal Plants

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The construction of synthetic mimics of complex conformational epitopes of HIV

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Burn

  • 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

    Bioactive Phytochemicals from Australian Native Plants used as Ingienous medicines

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

Completed supervision

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