Dr Frank Voncken

Dr Frank Voncken

Lecturer in Medical Microbiology, Biomedical and Forensic Sciences | Biosafety Practitioner and Advisor | Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull

Faculty and Department

  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Hull York Medical School

Qualifications

  • BSc
  • PhD / DPhil

Summary

Dr. Frank Voncken's academic career has been dedicated to advancing our understanding of specialized organelles in anaerobic organisms. As a PhD student at the University of Nijmegen (1992-1998), he conducted pioneering research on Hydrogenosomes, mitochondria-related organelles unique to anaerobic protozoa and fungi. His work provided profound insights into their evolutionary and functional roles in compartmentalized energy metabolism, uncovering novel metabolic pathways.

Following his PhD, Dr. Voncken pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Heidelberg's Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH) under Professor Christine Clayton (1998-2006). Initially focusing on Glycosomes in medically significant Kinetoplastid parasites, such as Trypanosomes brucei and Leishmania, he elucidated key aspects of their peroxisome-related functions.

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Voncken received a prestigious research grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, 2003-2006) supporting his independent research as a Research Associate at the ZMBH. His investigations continued to explore the intricate energy metabolism of parasites, emphasizing the identification and functional characterization of peroxisomal (glycosomal) and mitochondrial pathways, and particularly focusing on the Mitochondrial Carrier Family (MCF) proteins. These essential transporters facilitate the movement of metabolic intermediates across mitochondrial membranes, crucially regulating eukaryotic energy metabolism.

Joining the University of Hull in 2006 as a Lecturer in Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Dr. Voncken continued leadership of a research group dedicated to studying mitochondrial metabolite transporters in human parasites of medical significance.

In addition to his research activities, Dr Frank Voncken has substantial teaching experience across all levels of higher education, including undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc and PhD) programmes for more then 30 years and in three different European countries.

Within the Centre for Biomedicine, he contributed and still contributes to the design and delivery of numerous modules across the Biomedical Science and Forensic Science curricula. His teaching spans a wide range of subject areas, including Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Immunity, Molecular & Medical Parasitology, Drug Discovery & Design, Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, Proteomics, Human & Microbial Physiology, Biotechnology and Industrial Applications, Biomedical Research Skills, and Introduction to Forensic Analytical Techniques, with a particular emphasis on Forensic DNA Analysis.

Since 2011, Dr Voncken has held the role of Biological Safety Officer at the University of Hull, where he provides oversight and expert guidance on institutional biosafety governance, compliance, and risk management.

Dr Frank Voncken has substantial teaching experience across all levels of higher education, including undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc and PhD) programmes for more then 30 years and in three different European countries.

Within the Centre for Biomedicine, he contributed to the design and delivery of numerous modules across the Biomedical Science and Forensic Science curricula. His teaching spans a wide range of subject areas, including Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Molecular and Medical Parasitology, Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, Human and Microbial Physiology, Proteomics, Biotechnology and Industrial Applications, Biomedical Research Skills, and Forensic Analytical Techniques with a particular emphasis on Forensic DNA Analysis.

Dr Frank Voncken is currently the Level 4 Year Lead for the Biomedical Science and Forensice Science programmes.

Recent outputs

View more outputs

Journal Article

Ibrutinib enhances the bias of T cell responses towards staphylococcal superantigens sustaining inflammation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Tantoush, F., Allsup, D., Naylor-Adamson, L., Voncken, F., & Caserta, S. (2025). Ibrutinib enhances the bias of T cell responses towards staphylococcal superantigens sustaining inflammation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Frontiers in immunology, 16, Article 1531059. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1531059

The mitochondrial phosphate carrier TbMCP11 is essential for mitochondrial function in the procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei

Gao, F., Voncken, F., & Colasante, C. (2020). The mitochondrial phosphate carrier TbMCP11 is essential for mitochondrial function in the procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 237, Article 111275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111275

Characterisation of a mitochondrial iron transporter of the pathogen Trypanosoma brucei

Zheng, F., Colasante, C., & Voncken, F. (2019). Characterisation of a mitochondrial iron transporter of the pathogen Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 233, Article 111221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111221

A plant-like mitochondrial carrier family protein facilitates mitochondrial transport of di- and tricarboxylates in Trypanosoma brucei

Colasante, C., Zheng, F., Kemp, C., & Voncken, F. (2018). A plant-like mitochondrial carrier family protein facilitates mitochondrial transport of di- and tricarboxylates in Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 221, 36-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.03.003

The phosphoarginine energy-buffering system of Trypanosoma brucei is essential and involves multiple arginine kinase isoforms with different subcellular locations.

Voncken, F., Gao, F., Wadforth, C., Harley, M., & Colasante, C. (2013). The phosphoarginine energy-buffering system of Trypanosoma brucei is essential and involves multiple arginine kinase isoforms with different subcellular locations. PLoS ONE, 8(6), e65908. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065908

Research interests

(1) The energy metabolism of medically important eukaryotic parasites causing detrimental human disease, such as African Sleeping Sickness (Trypanosoma brucei), Malaria (Plasmodium) and Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii).

(2) The compartmentalisation of energy-generating and other metabolic pathways in unusual subcellular organelles such as hydrogenosomes, glycosomes, apicoplasts and the 'degenerated' mitochondria found in medically important human parasites.

(3) The identification and functional characterisation of mitochondrial metabolite transporters, here Mitochondrial Carrier Family (MCF) proteins, from parasites and other eukaryotes.

(4) The identification of novel drug targets and the development of effective chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of parasitic human diseases.

Consultancy/Industry advisory role

Appointed Biosafety Advisor for Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

2020

Biosafety Advisor and appointed competent person on the Genetic Modification Safety Committee for Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - Honorary Contract

Journal editorial role

Academic Editor for PLOS ONE

2013 - 2021

Other

MRC Infection and Immunity Board - Expert Reviewer Grant Proposals

2024

BBSRC Research Grants Board - Peer Reviewer

2008

Peer reviewer - member of the BBSRC Research Grants Board

Top