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)

81 - 100 of 141 works

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

2007

Journal Article

Design of bioavailable derivatives of 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)dodecanoic acid, a potent inhibitor of the soluble epoxide hydrolase

Kim, I., Nishi, I., Tsai, H., Bradford, T., Koda, Y., Watanabe, T., Morriseau, C., Blanchfield, J., Toth, I. and Hammock, B. (2007). Design of bioavailable derivatives of 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)dodecanoic acid, a potent inhibitor of the soluble epoxide hydrolase. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 15 (1), 312-323. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.09.057

Design of bioavailable derivatives of 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)dodecanoic acid, a potent inhibitor of the soluble epoxide hydrolase

2007

Conference Publication

Cyclic tetrapeptides from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. associated with the Thai sponge Halisarca ectofibrosa

Rungprom, W., Lambert, L.K., Dechsakulwatana, C., Barden, M.C., Blanchfield, J.T. and Garson, M.J. (2007). Cyclic tetrapeptides from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. associated with the Thai sponge Halisarca ectofibrosa. Workshop and seminar on Chemistry, biological activities and biodiversity of marine organisms, Chonburi, Thailand, 6-8 November, 2007.

Cyclic tetrapeptides from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. associated with the Thai sponge Halisarca ectofibrosa

2007

Conference Publication

Towards the synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biosynthetic transformations in the marine sponge A. cavernosa

Rands-Trevor, K., Blanchfield, J. T. and Garson, M. J. (2007). Towards the synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biosynthetic transformations in the marine sponge A. cavernosa. The 22nd Royal Australian Chemical Institute Inc. Organic Conference (22RACIOC), Adelaide, South Australia, 28 January - 2 February 2007.

Towards the synthesis of [14C]-labelled axisonitrile-3 and its biosynthetic transformations in the marine sponge A. cavernosa

2007

Conference Publication

Chemical variation in the sponge Acanthella cavernosa from South East Queensland

Jumaryatno, P., Blanchfield, J. T. and Garson, M. J. (2007). Chemical variation in the sponge Acanthella cavernosa from South East Queensland. 12th Asian Chemical Congress (12ACC) 2007, Kuala Lumpur, 23 - 25 August, 2007.

Chemical variation in the sponge Acanthella cavernosa from South East Queensland

2006

Conference Publication

Epidermal penetration of a therapeutic peptide by lipid conjugation; stereo-selective peptide availability of a topical diastereomeric lipopeptide

Caccetta, Rima, Blanchfield, Joanne T., Harrison, Jessica, Toth, Istvan and Benson, Heather A. E. (2006). Epidermal penetration of a therapeutic peptide by lipid conjugation; stereo-selective peptide availability of a topical diastereomeric lipopeptide. doi: 10.1007/s10989-006-9024-5

Epidermal penetration of a therapeutic peptide by lipid conjugation; stereo-selective peptide availability of a topical diastereomeric lipopeptide

2006

Conference Publication

Novel imidazole alkaloids from Leucetta-like Indonesian sponges

Swasono, R., Blanchfield, J T and Garson, M J (2006). Novel imidazole alkaloids from Leucetta-like Indonesian sponges. 12th Asian Symp on Medicinal Plants, Spices etc, Padang, November, 2006.

Novel imidazole alkaloids from Leucetta-like Indonesian sponges

2006

Journal Article

Investigation of the route of absorption of lipid and sugar modified leu-enkephalin analogues and their enzymatic stability using the Caco-2 cell monolayer system

Wu, S., Christopher, C., Koda, Y., Blanchfield, J. T. and Toth, I. (2006). Investigation of the route of absorption of lipid and sugar modified leu-enkephalin analogues and their enzymatic stability using the Caco-2 cell monolayer system. Medicinal Chemistry, 2 (2), 203-211. doi: 10.2174/157340606776056205

Investigation of the route of absorption of lipid and sugar modified leu-enkephalin analogues and their enzymatic stability using the Caco-2 cell monolayer system

2006

Conference Publication

Synthesis and characterisation of Trp modified Leu-Enkephalin analogues

Del Borgo, M, Wang, R., Toth, I and Blanchfield, J T (2006). Synthesis and characterisation of Trp modified Leu-Enkephalin analogues. Brisbane Biological & Organic Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, 24 Nov 2006.

Synthesis and characterisation of Trp modified Leu-Enkephalin analogues

2006

Journal Article

Epidermal penetration of a therapeutic peptide by lipid conjugation; Stereo-selective peptide availability of a topical diastereomeric lipopeptide

Caccetta, R., Blanchfield, J. T., Harrison, J., Toth, I. and Benson, H. A. E. (2006). Epidermal penetration of a therapeutic peptide by lipid conjugation; Stereo-selective peptide availability of a topical diastereomeric lipopeptide. International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics, 12 (3), 327-333. doi: 10.1007/s10989-006-9024-5

Epidermal penetration of a therapeutic peptide by lipid conjugation; Stereo-selective peptide availability of a topical diastereomeric lipopeptide

2006

Conference Publication

Drug development of endomorphin-1

Del Borgo, M, Koda, Y., Blanchfield, J T, Toth, I and Okada, Y. (2006). Drug development of endomorphin-1. 29th European Peptide Symposium, Gdansk, 3-8 Sept, 2006. CHICHESTER: JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.

Drug development of endomorphin-1

2006

Conference Publication

New sesquiterpenes from the sponge Acanthella cavernosa

Jumaryatno, P., Blanchfield, J. T. and Garson, M. J. (2006). New sesquiterpenes from the sponge Acanthella cavernosa. 12th Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices and Other Nas, Padang, 13 - 18 November 2006.

New sesquiterpenes from the sponge Acanthella cavernosa

2006

Conference Publication

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide-linked peptides aimed at improved drug delivery

Johnstone, Ken D., Dieckelmann, Manuela, Jennings, Michael P., Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Toth, Istvan (2006). The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide-linked peptides aimed at improved drug delivery. 19th American Peptide Symposium, San Diego, CA, United States, 18-23 June 2005. New York, NY, United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-26575-9_221

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide-linked peptides aimed at improved drug delivery

2006

Conference Publication

Caco-2 cell permeability and stability assays of two d-glycopyranuronanamide conjugates of thyrotropic releasing hormone

Wessling, S., Ross, B P, Blanchfield, J T and Toth, I (2006). Caco-2 cell permeability and stability assays of two d-glycopyranuronanamide conjugates of thyrotropic releasing hormone. Brisbane Biological & Organic Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, 24 Nov 2006.

Caco-2 cell permeability and stability assays of two d-glycopyranuronanamide conjugates of thyrotropic releasing hormone

2006

Journal Article

Synthesis of a library of polycationic lipid core dendrimers and their evaluation in the delivery of an oligonucleotide with hVEGF inhibition

Parekh, H. S., Marano, R. J., Rakoczy, E. P., Blanchfield, J. and Toth, I. (2006). Synthesis of a library of polycationic lipid core dendrimers and their evaluation in the delivery of an oligonucleotide with hVEGF inhibition. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 14 (14), 4775-4780. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.03.029

Synthesis of a library of polycationic lipid core dendrimers and their evaluation in the delivery of an oligonucleotide with hVEGF inhibition

2006

Journal Article

Particulate systems as adjuvants and carriers for peptide and protein antigens

Liang, M T, Davies, N M, Blanchfield, J T and Toth, I (2006). Particulate systems as adjuvants and carriers for peptide and protein antigens. Current Drug Delivery, 3 (4), 379-388. doi: 10.2174/156720106778559029

Particulate systems as adjuvants and carriers for peptide and protein antigens

2005

Conference Publication

The chemoenzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide-linked peptides aimed at improved drug delivery

Johnstone, K.D., Dieckelmann, M., Jennings, M.P., Blanchfield, J.T. and Toth, I. (2005). The chemoenzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide-linked peptides aimed at improved drug delivery. 19th American Peptide Symposium, San Diego, CA, United States, 18-23 June 2005. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons .

The chemoenzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharide-linked peptides aimed at improved drug delivery

2005

Book Chapter

Modification of peptides and other drugs using lipoamino acids and sugars

Blanchfield, J. T. and Toth, I. (2005). Modification of peptides and other drugs using lipoamino acids and sugars. Methods in Molecular Biology: Peptide Synthesis and Applications. (pp. 45-61) edited by John Howl. New Jersey: Humana Press. doi: 10.1385/1-59259-877-3:045

Modification of peptides and other drugs using lipoamino acids and sugars

2005

Journal Article

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of a trisaccharide-linked peptide aimed at improved drug-delivery

Johnstone, K. D., Dieckelmann, M., Jennings, M. P., Toth, I. and Blanchfield, J. T. (2005). Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of a trisaccharide-linked peptide aimed at improved drug-delivery. Current Drug Delivery, 2 (3), 215-222. doi: 10.2174/1567201054367977

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of a trisaccharide-linked peptide aimed at improved drug-delivery

2005

Journal Article

The stability of lipidic analogues of GnRH in plasma and kidney preparations: the stereoselective release of the parent peptide

Blanchfield, J. T., Lew, R. A., Smith, A. I. and Toth, I. (2005). The stability of lipidic analogues of GnRH in plasma and kidney preparations: the stereoselective release of the parent peptide. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 15 (6), 1609-1612. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.01.069

The stability of lipidic analogues of GnRH in plasma and kidney preparations: the stereoselective release of the parent peptide

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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Isolation and identification of natural products from Australian Native Medicinal Plants

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Clicking Conjugates into Place for the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Anthony Verderosa, Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • 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

    Selenium - The SuperElement against Superbugs

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • 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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