Overview
Background
Carbohydrate chemistry, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery
Vito Ferro is a Professor in the School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences. His research interests are in the area of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, and drug design and development.
Availability
- Professor Vito Ferro is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Glycosaminoglycans and their mimetics
Carbohydrate and medicinal chemistry with a particular focus on glycosaminoglycans, especially heparan sulfate, and their mimetics as potential drugs for a range of diseases including cancer, inflammation, viral infections and lysosomal storage diseases such as Sanfilippo syndrome.
Research impacts
Vito Ferro completed his PhD at the University of WA. Following postdoctoral fellowships at the Carsberg Laboratory (Denmark) and the University of British Columbia (Canada) he spent 12 years with the Australian biotechnology company Progen Pharmaceuticals, serving in various positions including Director of Drug Discovery. He was a key player in the development of two of the only four heparanase inhibitors to have reached clinical trials: muparfostat (PI-88), and pixatimod (PG545). Following a brief period at Queensland University of Technology as a Principal Research Fellow he moved to his current position at the University of Queensland in 2010. His research interests are in carbohydrate and medicinal chemistry with a particular focus on glycosaminoglycans, especially heparan sulfate, and their mimetics as potential drugs for a range of diseases. He is also a member of the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre (AID), has published >110 papers and has multiple granted patents.
Works
Search Professor Vito Ferro’s works on UQ eSpace
2006
Journal Article
Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro and adhesion to chondroitin-4-sulfate by the heparan sulfate mimetic PI-88 and other sulfated oligosaccharides
Adams, Y., Freeman, C., Schwartz-Albiez, R., Ferro, V., Parish, C.R. and Andrews, K.T. (2006). Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro and adhesion to chondroitin-4-sulfate by the heparan sulfate mimetic PI-88 and other sulfated oligosaccharides. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 50 (8), 2850-2852. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00313-06
2006
Journal Article
Spectroscopic and structural characterization of products arising from the base-promoted benzylation of 3-sulfolene
Bonnet, Muriel, Banwell, Martin G., Willis, Anthony C. and Ferro, Vito (2006). Spectroscopic and structural characterization of products arising from the base-promoted benzylation of 3-sulfolene. Arkivoc, 2006 (x), 35-41. doi: 10.3998/ark.5550190.0007.a05
2006
Book Chapter
Heparanase as a Target for Anticancer Therapeutics: New Developments and Future Prospects
Hammond, E., Bytheway, I. and Ferro, V. (2006). Heparanase as a Target for Anticancer Therapeutics: New Developments and Future Prospects. New Developments in Therapeutic Glycomics. (pp. 251-282) edited by Maryse Delehedde and Hugues Lortat-Jacob. Trivandrum, India: Research Signpost.
2006
Journal Article
Anti-herpes simplex virus activities of two novel disulphated cyclitols
Ekblad, M., Bergström, T., Banwell, M. G., Bonnet, M., Renner, J., Ferro, V. and Trybala, E. (2006). Anti-herpes simplex virus activities of two novel disulphated cyclitols. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy, 17 (2), 97-106. doi: 10.1177/095632020601700205
2005
Journal Article
Towards the synthesis of aryl glucuronides as potential heparanase probes. An interesting outcome in the glycosidation of glucuronic acid with 4-hydroxycinnamic acid
Pearson, A.G., Kiefel, M.J.., Ferro, V. and von Itzstein, M. (2005). Towards the synthesis of aryl glucuronides as potential heparanase probes. An interesting outcome in the glycosidation of glucuronic acid with 4-hydroxycinnamic acid. Carbohydrate Research, 340 (13), 2077-2085. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2005.06.029
2005
Other Outputs
Sulfated oligosaccharide derivatives
Ferro, Vito, Fairweather, Jon, Karoli, Tomislav and Liu, Ligong (2005). Sulfated oligosaccharide derivatives. WO/2005/085264.
2005
Other Outputs
Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) mimetics
Don, Robert Hugh, Ferro, Vito, Bytheway, Ian, Cochran, Siska, Fairweather, Jon Krueger, Hammond, Edward Timothy, Karoli, Tomislav, Li, Cai Ping and Liu, Ligong (2005). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) mimetics. WO/2005/061523.
2005
Journal Article
The synthesis and biological evaluation of two analogues of the C-riboside showdomycin
Renner, J., Kruszelnicki, I., Adamiak, B., Willis, A.C., Hammond, E., Su, S., Burns, C., Trybala, E., Ferro, V. and Banwell, M.G. (2005). The synthesis and biological evaluation of two analogues of the C-riboside showdomycin. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 58 (2), 86-93. doi: 10.1071/CH04273
2005
Conference Publication
PI-88, a heparanase inhibitor showing promising evidence of patient benefit in phase II clinical trials.
Gautam, AM, Ferro, V, Wilson, EA, Freeman, C and Parish, C (2005). PI-88, a heparanase inhibitor showing promising evidence of patient benefit in phase II clinical trials.. AACR/NCI/EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Philadelphia Pa, Nov 14-18, 2005. PHILADELPHIA: AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH.
2005
Journal Article
Use of Sulfated Linked Cyclitols as Heparan Sulfate Mimetics to Probe the Heparin/Heparan Sulfate Binding Specificity of Proteins
Freeman, Craig, Liu, Ligong, Banwell, Martin G., Brown, Kathryn J., Bezos, Anna, Ferro, Vito and Parish, Christopher R. (2005). Use of Sulfated Linked Cyclitols as Heparan Sulfate Mimetics to Probe the Heparin/Heparan Sulfate Binding Specificity of Proteins. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280 (10), 8842-8849. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M410769200
2005
Journal Article
Synthesis, biological activity, and preliminary pharmacokinetic evaluation of analogues of a phosphosulfomannan angiogenesis inhibitor (PI-88)
Karoli, Tomislav, Liu, Ligong, Fairweather, Jon K., Hammond, Edward, Li, Cai Ping, Cochran, Siska, Bergefall, Kicki, Trybala, Edward, Addison, Russell S. and Ferro, Vito (2005). Synthesis, biological activity, and preliminary pharmacokinetic evaluation of analogues of a phosphosulfomannan angiogenesis inhibitor (PI-88). Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 48 (26), 8229-8236. doi: 10.1021/jm050618p
2004
Journal Article
The synthesis of phosphorylated disaccharide components of the extracellular phosphomannan of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448
Fairweather, Jon K., Karoli, Tomislav and Ferro, Vito (2004). The synthesis of phosphorylated disaccharide components of the extracellular phosphomannan of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 12 (23), 6063-6075. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2004.09.005
2004
Journal Article
A synthetic heparanase inhibitor reduces proteinuria in passive heymann nephritis
Levidiotis, V., Freeman, C., Punler, M., Martinello, P., Creese, B., Ferro, V., van der Vlag, J., Berden, Jo H.M., Parish, C.R. and Power, D.A. (2004). A synthetic heparanase inhibitor reduces proteinuria in passive heymann nephritis. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 15 (11), 2882-2892. doi: 10.1097/01.ASN.0000142426.55612.6D
2004
Journal Article
The development of inhibitors of heparanase, a key enzyme involved in tumour metastasis, angiogenesis and inflammation
Ferro, V., Hammond, E. and Fairweather, J. K. (2004). The development of inhibitors of heparanase, a key enzyme involved in tumour metastasis, angiogenesis and inflammation. Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 4 (6), 693-702. doi: 10.2174/1389557043403729
2004
Journal Article
The low molecular weight heparan sulfate-mimetic, PI-88, inhibits cell-to-cell spread of herpes simplex virus
Nyberg, K., Ekblad, M., Bergström, T., Freeman, C., Parish, C.R., Ferro, V. and Trybal, E. (2004). The low molecular weight heparan sulfate-mimetic, PI-88, inhibits cell-to-cell spread of herpes simplex virus. Antiviral Research, 63 (1), 15-24. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2004.01.001
2004
Journal Article
Application of the four-component Ugi condensation for the preparation of sulfated glycoconjugate libraries
Liu, L., Li, C.P., Cochran, S. and Ferro, V. (2004). Application of the four-component Ugi condensation for the preparation of sulfated glycoconjugate libraries. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 14 (9), 2221-2226. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2004.02.017
2004
Journal Article
The synthesis of phosphorylated disaccharide components of the extracellular phosphomannan of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448.
Fairweather, J.K., Karoli, T. and Ferro, V. (2004). The synthesis of phosphorylated disaccharide components of the extracellular phosphomannan of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448.. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (12), 6063-6075.
2003
Journal Article
Probing the interactions of phosphosulfomannans with angiogenic growth factors by surface plasmon resonance
Cochran, S., Li, C., Fairweather, J.K., Kett, W.C., Coombe, D.R. and Ferro, V. (2003). Probing the interactions of phosphosulfomannans with angiogenic growth factors by surface plasmon resonance. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 46 (21), 4601-4608. doi: 10.1021/jm030180y
2003
Journal Article
The development of the novel angiogenesis inhibitor PI-88 as an anticancer drug
Ferro, V. and Don, R. (2003). The development of the novel angiogenesis inhibitor PI-88 as an anticancer drug. Australasian Biotechnology, 13 (1), 38-39.
2002
Journal Article
Preparation and anticoagulant activity of the phosphosulfomannan PI-88
Yu, GL, Gunay, NS, Linhardt, RJ, Toida, T, Fareed, J, Hoppensteadt, DA, Shadid, H, Ferro, V, Li, CP, Fewings, K, Palermo, MC and Podger, D (2002). Preparation and anticoagulant activity of the phosphosulfomannan PI-88. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 37 (10), 783-791. doi: 10.1016/S0223-5234(02)01347-8
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Vito Ferro is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis and applications of glycosaminoglycan mimetics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of novel probes and inhibitors of carbohydrate-binding proteins
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
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Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of inhibitors and probes for heparan sulfate degrading enzymes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of new chemical tools for probing glycosaminoglycan-dependent cellular processes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of L-sugars via radical chemistry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske
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Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotic Conjugates: Joining Together to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anthony Verderosa, Professor Mark Blaskovich
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Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotic Conjugates: Joining Together to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of new computational techniques for carbohydrate and agricultural chemistry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
A Synergistic Approach to L-Hexose Synthesis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Synthesis of Potential Pharmacological Chaperones and Fluorogenic Substrates for MPS I, IIIA and VII.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of novel inhibitors of heparan sulfate-binding proteins
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lisbeth Grondahl
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2020
Doctor BioTechnology
How much difference is enough? Towards a regional collaboration for the evaluation of novel preventative vaccines in Latin American countries
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Synthetic Heparin Mimetics via RAFT Polymerization: Novel Anticoagulant Materials for Biomedical Applications
Principal Advisor
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2019
Master Philosophy
SYNTHESIS OF STEROID CONJUGATES FOR TARGETED LIPOSOMAL DELIVERY OF RNA-BASED THERAPIES
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Blanchfield
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of potential inhibitors of iduronate-2-sulfatase as pharmacological chaperones for MPS II and development of chemical tools for quantification of heparan sulfate in urine from MPS patients
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of C-2 Functionalized L-Iduronic Acid Derivatives as Potential Pharmacological Chaperones for MPS II (Hunter Syndrome)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The Use and Development of Catalytic Systems in Organic Synthesis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2020
Doctor BioTechnology
Performance of Australian Biotech SMEs: The Impact of Formal Open Innovation, Absorptive Capacity and Innovation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarel Gronum
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Exploration of the Ley-Griffith Oxidation and Subsequent Efforts Towards Epipyrone A
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Towards the Total Synthesis of (-)-Phorbol for Novel Anti-Cancer Studies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Vito Ferro directly for media enquiries about:
- Carbohydrate chemistry
- heparan sulfate
- heparin
- Medicinal chemistry
- Mucopolysaccharidosis
- Sanfilippo syndrome
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