Professor Vito Ferro
Professor

Vito Ferro

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69598

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

Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemistry

Research interests

  • 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.

Search Professor Vito Ferro’s works on UQ eSpace

143 works between 1988 and 2025
All (143) Journal Article (127) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (7) Other Outputs (5)

121 - 140 of 143 works

2002

Journal Article

Synthesis of [C-14]- and [S-35]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

Ferro, V, Li, CP, Wang, B, Fewings, K, King, AR, Hammond, E and Creese, BR (2002). Synthesis of [C-14]- and [S-35]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies. Journal of Labelled Compounds & Radiopharmaceuticals, 45 (9), 747-754. doi: 10.1002/jlcr.591

Synthesis of [C-14]- and [S-35]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

2002

Journal Article

Determination of the composition of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC

Ferro, V, Li, CP, Fewings, K, Palermo, MC, Linhardt, RJ and Toida, T (2002). Determination of the composition of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC. Carbohydrate Research, 337 (2), 139-146. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6215(01)00300-7

Determination of the composition of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC

2002

Journal Article

Synthesis of [14C]- and [35S]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

Ferro, V., Li, C., Wang, B., Fewings, K., King, A.R., Hammond, E. and Creese, B.R. (2002). Synthesis of [14C]- and [35S]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies. Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radio-pharmaceuticals (45), 747-754.

Synthesis of [14C]- and [35S]-labelled PI-88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

2002

Journal Article

Preparation and anticoagulant activity of the phosphosulfomannan PI-88

Yu, G., Gunay, N.S., Linhardt, R.J., Toida, T., Fareed, J., Hoppensteadt, D.A., Shadid, H., Ferro, V., Li, C., Fewings, K., Palermo, M.C. and Podger, D. (2002). Preparation and anticoagulant activity of the phosphosulfomannan PI-88. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (37), 783-791.

Preparation and anticoagulant activity of the phosphosulfomannan PI-88

2002

Journal Article

Determination of the composition of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC.

Ferro, V., Li, C.P., Fewings, K., Palermo, M.C., Linhardt, R.J. and Toida, T. (2002). Determination of the composition of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC.. Carbohydrate Research (337), 139-146.

Determination of the composition of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC.

2001

Journal Article

Large-scale preparation of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan for use in the manufacture of PI-88

Ferro, V, Fewings, K, Palermo, MC and Li, CP (2001). Large-scale preparation of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan for use in the manufacture of PI-88. Carbohydrate Research, 332 (2), 183-189. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6215(01)00061-1

Large-scale preparation of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan for use in the manufacture of PI-88

2001

Journal Article

Large-scale preparation of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan for use in the manufacture of PI-88

Ferro, V., Fewings, V., Palermo, M.C. and Li, C.P. (2001). Large-scale preparation of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan for use in the manufacture of PI-88. Carbohydrate Research (332), 183-189.

Large-scale preparation of the oligosaccharide phosphate fraction of Pichia holstii NRRL Y-2448 phosphomannan for use in the manufacture of PI-88

2001

Journal Article

Targeting glycosaminoglycan-protein interactions

Ferro, V. and Devine, P. (2001). Targeting glycosaminoglycan-protein interactions. Chemistry in Australia (68), 18-21.

Targeting glycosaminoglycan-protein interactions

2001

Conference Publication

Pharmacokinetics of [35s] PI-88 in rats

Creese, B., Ferro, V., King, A. R., Mardon, K. M., Dickinson, R. G., Punler, M.J. and Dodds, H. (2001). Pharmacokinetics of [35s] PI-88 in rats. Annual Scientific Meeting of ASCEPT, Dunedin NZ, 3-5 December 2001. Melbourne: ASCEPT.

Pharmacokinetics of [35s] PI-88 in rats

2001

Journal Article

Characterisation of the anticoagulant properties of a range of structurally diverse sulfated oligosaccharides

Wall, D., Douglas, S., Ferro, V., Cowden, W. and Parish, C. (2001). Characterisation of the anticoagulant properties of a range of structurally diverse sulfated oligosaccharides. Thrombosis Research, 103 (103), 325-335. doi: 10.1016/S0049-3848(01)00314-0

Characterisation of the anticoagulant properties of a range of structurally diverse sulfated oligosaccharides

1998

Journal Article

Convergent synthesis of a fluorescence-quenched glycopeptide as a potential substrate for peptide: N-glycosidases

Ferro, V, Weiler, L and Withers, SG (1998). Convergent synthesis of a fluorescence-quenched glycopeptide as a potential substrate for peptide: N-glycosidases. Carbohydrate Research, 306 (4), 531-538. doi: 10.1016/S0008-6215(98)00011-1

Convergent synthesis of a fluorescence-quenched glycopeptide as a potential substrate for peptide: N-glycosidases

1998

Journal Article

Convergent synthesis of a fluorescence-quenched glycopeptide as a potential substrate for peptide: N-glycosidases

Ferro, V., Weiler, L. and Withers, S.G. (1998). Convergent synthesis of a fluorescence-quenched glycopeptide as a potential substrate for peptide: N-glycosidases. Carbohydrate Research (306), 531-538.

Convergent synthesis of a fluorescence-quenched glycopeptide as a potential substrate for peptide: N-glycosidases

1998

Journal Article

N-Glycosyl phosphonamidates: potential transition-state analogue inhibitors of glycopeptidases

Ferro, V., Weiler, L., Withers, S.G. and Ziltener, H. (1998). N-Glycosyl phosphonamidates: potential transition-state analogue inhibitors of glycopeptidases. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 76 (76), 313-318. doi: 10.1139/cjc-76-3-313

N-Glycosyl phosphonamidates: potential transition-state analogue inhibitors of glycopeptidases

1997

Journal Article

Internally quenched fluorogenic, alpha-helical dimeric peptides and glycopeptides for the evaluation of the effect of glycosylation on the conformation of peptides

Mehta, S., Meldal, M., Ferro, V., Duus, J.O. and Bock, K. (1997). Internally quenched fluorogenic, alpha-helical dimeric peptides and glycopeptides for the evaluation of the effect of glycosylation on the conformation of peptides. Journal of the Chemical Society: Perkin Transactions I (1), 1365-1374. doi: 10.1039/a607624f

Internally quenched fluorogenic, alpha-helical dimeric peptides and glycopeptides for the evaluation of the effect of glycosylation on the conformation of peptides

1997

Journal Article

The synthesis of some epoxyalkyl Beta-C-Glycosides as potential inhibitors of Beta-Glucan hydrolases

Best, W.M., Ferro, V., Harle, J., Stick, R.V. and Tilbrook, D.M.G. (1997). The synthesis of some epoxyalkyl Beta-C-Glycosides as potential inhibitors of Beta-Glucan hydrolases. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 50 (5), 463-472. doi: 10.1071/C97015

The synthesis of some epoxyalkyl Beta-C-Glycosides as potential inhibitors of Beta-Glucan hydrolases

1996

Journal Article

Substrate specificity of endoglucanase A from Cellulomonas fimi: fundamental differences between endoglucanases and exoglucanases from family 6

Damude, H.G., Ferro, V,, Withers, S.G. and Warren, R.A. (1996). Substrate specificity of endoglucanase A from Cellulomonas fimi: fundamental differences between endoglucanases and exoglucanases from family 6. Biochemistry Journal, 315 (315), 467-472. doi: 10.1042/bj3150467

Substrate specificity of endoglucanase A from Cellulomonas fimi: fundamental differences between endoglucanases and exoglucanases from family 6

1994

Journal Article

Analysis of the H-1-Nmr Spectra of Some Diethyl Phosphonates

Byrne, LT, Ferro, V, Stevenson, S and Stick, RV (1994). Analysis of the H-1-Nmr Spectra of Some Diethyl Phosphonates. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 32 (12), 749-752. doi: 10.1002/mrc.1260321209

Analysis of the H-1-Nmr Spectra of Some Diethyl Phosphonates

1994

Journal Article

Synthesis of 2'-Acylated and 2''-O-Acylated Maltotriosides as Potential Fluorescence-Quenched Substrates for Alpha-Amylase

Ferro, V, Meldal, M and Bock, K (1994). Synthesis of 2'-Acylated and 2''-O-Acylated Maltotriosides as Potential Fluorescence-Quenched Substrates for Alpha-Amylase. Journal of the Chemical Society-Perkin Transactions 1 (15), 2169-2176. doi: 10.1039/p19940002169

Synthesis of 2'-Acylated and 2''-O-Acylated Maltotriosides as Potential Fluorescence-Quenched Substrates for Alpha-Amylase

1994

Journal Article

Analysis of the 1H NMR spectra of some diethyl phosphonates

Byrne L.T., Ferro, V., Stevenson, S. and Stick, R.V. (1994). Analysis of the 1H NMR spectra of some diethyl phosphonates. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry (32), 749-752.

Analysis of the 1H NMR spectra of some diethyl phosphonates

1994

Journal Article

Synthesis of 2'- and 2"-O-acylated maltotriosides as potential fluorescence-quenched substrates for alpha-amylase

Ferro, V., Meldal, M. and Bock, K. (1994). Synthesis of 2'- and 2"-O-acylated maltotriosides as potential fluorescence-quenched substrates for alpha-amylase. Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions I, 2169-2176.

Synthesis of 2'- and 2"-O-acylated maltotriosides as potential fluorescence-quenched substrates for alpha-amylase

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2026
    Pharmacological chaperone therapy in a mouse model of MPS IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome), a childhood dementia
    National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Sanfilippo IIIB Syndrome Research
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Opening Up Access to L-Sugars through a Synergy of Experiment and Theory
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Small molecule drug therapy for MPS IIIA (Sanfilippo Children's Foundation grant administered by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Development of pharmacological chaperones for MPS IIIB
    Sanfilippo Children's Foundation Incubator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Antibiotic Conjugates: Joining Together to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Towards pharmacological chaperone therapy for MPS II
    National MPS Society
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Small molecule drug therapy for MPS IIIA
    Sanfilippo Children's Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Pharmacological chaperones for MPS IIIA
    Sanfilippo Children's Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Heparan sulfate mimetics: versatile tools for chemical biology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Improving Anticancer Activity of Gold Compounds
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Development of Pharmacological Chaperone Therapy for MPS II.
    National MPS Society
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Targeting Tumour Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer by Altering MicroRNA Signalling (NHMRC project led by Deakin University)
    Deakin University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Small molecule chaperones for enzyme enhancement therapy for MPS II
    National MPS Society
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Synthesis of novel inhibitors of heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes as potential anticancer therapeutics
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant human heparanase
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Vito Ferro is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of L-sugars via radical chemistry

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis and applications of glycosaminoglycan mimetics

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of novel probes and inhibitors of carbohydrate-binding proteins

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of inhibitors and probes for heparan sulfate degrading enzymes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of new chemical tools for probing glycosaminoglycan-dependent cellular processes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Antibiotic Conjugates: Joining Together to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of new computational techniques for carbohydrate and agricultural chemistry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Antibiotic Conjugates: Joining Together to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Anthony Verderosa, Professor Mark Blaskovich

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Vito Ferro directly for media enquiries about:

  • Carbohydrate chemistry
  • heparan sulfate
  • heparin
  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis
  • Sanfilippo syndrome

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