Primary research interest

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 decomposition of dangerous chemicals.

About me

I completed my PhD at The University of Queensland in 1996 and then embarked on a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University working on the discovery of new biosynthetic pathways to β lactam antibiotics. I then worked at the Australian National University on the synthesis of novel Gibberellin structures and finally moved to the School of Pharmacy at UQ and worked on drug development and delivery research. I was appointed to the SCMB academic staff in 2003 and have established a research program in drug discovery, synthesis, detection and decontamination.  I have a passion for teaching at all levels of tertiary study and am involved in curriculum design and review. I am currently Deputy Head of School of SCMB.

Research focus and collaborations

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.

Funded projects

  • Identification of bioactive compounds from Australian native plants (project in collaboration with industry partner
  • Detection and decomposition of hazardous chemicals (project in collaboration with QFES and Department of Defence).

Teaching interests

  • First year:  atomic structure and bonding
  • Second year:  organic synthesis and functional group reactivity. Spectroscopy
  • Third year:  pericyclic chemistry
  • Honours:  Advanced NMR techniques

Achievements and awards

  • Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute

Featured publications

Matheus Carpinelli de Jesus; Taylah Church; Johanna A. Wapling; Raelene Collins; Gregory J. Leach; David Leach; James J. De Voss; Joanne T. Blanchfield. Differentiating Dyes: A Spectroscopic Investigation into the Composition of Scarlet Bloodroot (Haemodorum coccineum R.Br.) Rhizome. (2023) Molecules DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217422 

 Matthew Smith, Mike Logan, Mikaela Bazley, Joanne Blanchfield, Robert Stokes Ana Blanco, Rachel McGee. A Semi-quantitative method for the detection of fentanyl using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a handheld Raman instrument. (2020) Journal of Forensic Sciences https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14610

Iftekhar Ahmed, David N. Leach, Hans Wohlmuth, James J. De Voss, and Joanne T. Blanchfield.  Caco-2 Cell Permeability of Flavonoids and Saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum: the Immortal Herb. (2020) ACS Omega doi/10.1021/acsomega.0c02180

Researcher biography

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.