Dr Ben Ross is a chemist with interests in medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug design, virtual screening, synthetic chemistry, enzyme inhibitors, ion channel modulators, antivirals, amyloid diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.
Follow Dr Ben Ross and his team on Twitter: @RossChemLab ||| Google Scholar: Benjamin P. Ross ||| ResearcherID: A-9573-2012 ||| ORCID: 0000-0002-1899-8484 ||| Scopus Author ID:7401608823 ||| Group Web Page: www.drbenross.com
Research Interests
The main focus of Dr Ben Ross's research is the application of computer-aided drug design and synthetic chemistry to create new drug candidates for cancer, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. His team's novel molecules are evaluated using a variety of biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based screening assays, as well as animal models of disease, both within their lab and in partnership with local and international collaborators. Consideration of drug-likeness is an integral part of the design process, since good ADMET properties are crucial for their molecules to reach the clinic.
Biography
Ben Ross graduated with a First-Class Honours Degree in Chemistry (1999) and then moved to the UQ School of Pharmacy where he gained a Doctorate in the field of Medicinal Chemistry (2004). He worked in the School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Dr Ross McGeary for two years (2004-2006) during which he completed the synthesis of a variety of biologically useful molecules. In June 2006 Ben was appointed to a Lectureship within the UQ School of Pharmacy. In the first half of 2012 he was a Guest Researcher in the Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Sweden. In 2013 Ben was promoted to Senior Lecturer at UQ. A general theme of his research is medicinal chemistry, specifically the application of synthetic chemistry and molecular modeling to discover novel molecules with application as drugs or tools for research. Ben's team has published extensively in journals having a moderate-to-high impact factor in their specialised area of research (e.g. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Nanoscale, Food Chemistry).
Selected Primary Research Articles
Bifunctional Succinylated ε-Polylysine Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for pH-Responsive and Intracellular Drug Delivery Targeting the Colon. C.T.H. Nguyen, R.I. Webb, L.K. Lambert, E. Strounina, E.C. Lee, M.-O. Parat, M.A. McGuckin, A. Popat, P.J. Cabot, B.P. Ross*. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017, 9, 9470-9483. doi:10.1021/acsami.7b00411 (2016 JIF 7.5, Quartile 1)
Discovery and Structure-Activity Relationships of a Highly Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitor by Structure-Based Virtual Screening. S.N. Dighe, G.S. Deora, E. De la Mora, F. Nachon, S. Chan, M.-O. Parat, X. Brazzolotto*, B.P. Ross*. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2016, 59, 7683-7689. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00356 (Featured on the front cover of the journal: http://pubs.acs.org/toc/jmcmar/59/16) (2016 JIF 6.3, Quartile 1)
GAG mimetic functionalised solid and mesoporous silica nanoparticles as viral entry inhibitors of herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 viruses. E.C. Lee, N. Davis-Poynter*, C.T.H. Nguyen, A.A. Peters, G.R. Monteith, E. Strouina, A. Popat*, B.P. Ross*. Nanoscale 2016, 8, 16192-16196. doi:10.1039/C6NR03878F (2016 JIF 7.4, Quartile 1)
Metal chelation, radical scavenging and inhibition of Aβ42 fibrillation by food constituents in relation to Alzheimer’s disease. S. Chan, S. Kantham, V.M. Rao, M.K. Palanivelu, H.L. Pham, P.N. Shaw, R.P. McGeary, B.P. Ross*. Food Chemistry 2016, 199, 185-194. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.11.118 (2016 JIF 4.5, Quartile 1)
"Click" Assembly of Glycoclusters and Discovery of a Trehalose Analogue that Retards Aβ40 Aggregation and Inhibits Aβ40-induced Neurotoxicity. H. Rajaram, M.K. Palanivelu, T.V. Arumugam, V.M. Rao, P.N. Shaw, R.P. McGeary, B.P. Ross*. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2014, 24, 4523-4528. doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.07.077 (2014 JIF 2.4, Quartile 3)
Enzyme-Responsive Controlled Release of Covalently Bound Prodrug from Functional Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres. A. Popat, B.P. Ross, J.Liu, S. Jambhrunkar, F. Kleitz*, S.Z. Qiao*. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2012, 51, 12486-12489. doi:10.1002/anie.201206416 (2010 JIF 13.7, Quartile 1)
PhD vacancies - PhD opportunities
Australian and international students with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacy are encouraged to contact Dr Ben Ross to discuss possible Honours or PhD projects and scholarships.
Sources of funding include: UQ Scholarships; NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships; Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships; Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Scholarships; Ministry of Education Saudi Arabia; and the China Scholarship Council (CSC), as well as many other funding schemes. Contact Dr Ben Ross via email to discuss the best strategy to obtain a scholarship.
Teaching and Service Activities
Dr Ben Ross is the Research Higher Degrees Coordinator for the School of Pharmacy, and an Academic Advisor for Year 2 of the BPharm(Hons) program. He also coordinates and teaches within the following undergraduate BPharm(Hons) courses:
PHRM2021 Dosage Form Design A1;
PHRM2022 Dosage Form Design A2;
PHRM2040 Drug Discovery A1;
PHRM2041 Drug Discovery A2 - Course Coordinator;
PHRM3021 Dosage Form Design B1.
Journal Article: seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe)
Xue, Yongbo, Savchenko, Andrei I., Agnew-Francis, Kylie A., Miles, Jared A., Holt, Tina, Lu, Hieng, Chow, Sharon, Forster, Paul I., Boyle, Glen M., Ross, Benjamin P., Fischer, Katja, Kutateladze, Andrei G. and Williams, Craig M. (2023). seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe). Journal of Natural Products, 86 (3), 490-497. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c01037
Journal Article: Interaction of opioids with TLR4—mechanisms and ramifications
Gabr, Mai Mahmoud, Saeed, Iqira, Miles, Jared A., Ross, Benjamin P., Shaw, Paul Nicholas, Hollmann, Markus W. and Parat, Marie-Odile (2021). Interaction of opioids with TLR4—mechanisms and ramifications. Cancers, 13 (21) 5274, 5274. doi: 10.3390/cancers13215274
Journal Article: Discovery of drug-like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors by rapid virtual screening of a 6.9 million compound database
Miles, Jared A., Ng, Jia Hui, Sreenivas, B. Yogi, Courageux, Charlotte, Igert, Alexandre, Dias, José, McGeary, Ross P., Brazzolotto, Xavier and Ross, Benjamin P. (2021). Discovery of drug-like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors by rapid virtual screening of a 6.9 million compound database. Chemical Biology and Drug Design, 97 (5), 1048-1058. doi: 10.1111/cbdd.13825
Establishing a High-Throughput, Microwave-Assisted Automated Peptide Synthesis Facility at PACE
(2016) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Facility for advanced rheological and surface-friction characterisation
(2011) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
(2010) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Computer assisted discovery of novel tight junction modulators for oral delivery of biologics and nanomedicines
Doctor Philosophy
(2023) Doctor Philosophy
Computer-aided design, synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase
(2021) Doctor Philosophy
PhD vacancies - PhD opportunities
Australian and international students with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacy are encouraged to contact Dr Ben Ross to discuss possible Honours or PhD projects and scholarships.
Sources of funding include: UQ Scholarships; NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships; Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships; Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Scholarships; Ministry of Education Saudi Arabia; and the China Scholarship Council (CSC), as well as many other funding schemes. Contact Dr Ben Ross via email to discuss the best strategy to obtain a scholarship.
seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe)
Xue, Yongbo, Savchenko, Andrei I., Agnew-Francis, Kylie A., Miles, Jared A., Holt, Tina, Lu, Hieng, Chow, Sharon, Forster, Paul I., Boyle, Glen M., Ross, Benjamin P., Fischer, Katja, Kutateladze, Andrei G. and Williams, Craig M. (2023). seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe). Journal of Natural Products, 86 (3), 490-497. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c01037
Interaction of opioids with TLR4—mechanisms and ramifications
Gabr, Mai Mahmoud, Saeed, Iqira, Miles, Jared A., Ross, Benjamin P., Shaw, Paul Nicholas, Hollmann, Markus W. and Parat, Marie-Odile (2021). Interaction of opioids with TLR4—mechanisms and ramifications. Cancers, 13 (21) 5274, 5274. doi: 10.3390/cancers13215274
Miles, Jared A., Ng, Jia Hui, Sreenivas, B. Yogi, Courageux, Charlotte, Igert, Alexandre, Dias, José, McGeary, Ross P., Brazzolotto, Xavier and Ross, Benjamin P. (2021). Discovery of drug-like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors by rapid virtual screening of a 6.9 million compound database. Chemical Biology and Drug Design, 97 (5), 1048-1058. doi: 10.1111/cbdd.13825
Pujara, Naisarg, Giri, Rabina, Yau Wong, Kuan, Qu, Zhi, Rewatkar, Prarthana, Moniruzzaman, Md., Begun, Jakob, Ross, Benjamin P., McGuckin, Michael and Popat, Amirali (2021). pH – responsive colloidal carriers assembled from β-lactoglobulin and epsilon poly-l-lysine for oral drug delivery. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 589, 45-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.12.054
PLGA encapsulated γ-cyclodextrin-meropenem inclusion complex formulation for oral delivery
Raza, Aun, Miles, Jared A., Bruck Sime, Fekade, Ross, Benjamin P., Roberts, Jason A., Popat, Amirali, Kumeria, Tushar and Falconer, James R. (2021). PLGA encapsulated γ-cyclodextrin-meropenem inclusion complex formulation for oral delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 597 120280, 120280. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120280
Protein nanoparticles for enhanced oral delivery of coenzyme-Q10: in vitro and in silico studies
Banun, Vanessa Jane, Rewatkar, Prarthana, Chaudhary, Zanib, Qu, Zhi, Janjua, Taskeen, Patil, Anuja, Wu, Yuao, Ta, Hang T., Bansal, Nidhi, Miles, Jared A., Ross, Benjamin P., Kumeria, Tushar and Popat, Amirali (2021). Protein nanoparticles for enhanced oral delivery of coenzyme-Q10: in vitro and in silico studies. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, 9 (6) acsbiomaterials.0c01354, 2846-2856. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01354
Recent advances in virtual screening for cholinesterase inhibitors
Miles, Jared A. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2021). Recent advances in virtual screening for cholinesterase inhibitors. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 12 (1) acschemneuro.0c00627, 30-41. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00627
Miles, Jared A., Kapure, Jeevak S., Deora, Girdhar Singh, Courageux, Charlotte, Igert, Alexandre, Dias, José, McGeary, Ross P., Brazzolotto, Xavier and Ross, Benjamin P. (2020). Rapid discovery of a selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor using structure-based virtual screening. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 30 (24) 127609, 127609. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127609
Pujara, Naisarg, Wong, Kuan Yau, Qu, Zhi, Wang, Ran, Moniruzzaman, Md., Rewatkar, Prarthana, Kumeria, Tushar, Ross, Benjamin P., McGuckin, Michael and Popat, Amirali (2020). Oral delivery of β-lactoglobulin nanospheres encapsulated resveratrol alleviates inflammation in Winnie mice with spontaneous ulcerative colitis. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 18 (2) acs.molpharmaceut.0c00048, 627-640. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00048
Azimi, Iman, Stevenson, Ralph J., Zhang, Xuexin, Meizoso-Huesca, Aldo, Xin, Ping, Johnson, Martin, Flanagan, Jack U., Chalmers, Silke B., Yoast, Ryan E., Kapure, Jeevak S., Ross, Benjamin P., Vetter, Irina, Ashton, Mark R., Launikonis, Bradley S., Denny, William A., Trebak, Mohamed and Monteith, Gregory R. (2020). A new selective pharmacological enhancer of the Orai1 Ca2+ channel reveals roles for Orai1 in smooth and skeletal muscle functions. ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science, 3 (1) acsptsci.9b00081, 135-147. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00081
Rationally designed dendritic silica nanoparticles for oral delivery of exenatide
Abeer, Muhammad Mustafa, Meka, Anand Kumar, Pujara, Naisarg, Kumeria, Tushar, Strounina, Ekaterina, Nunes, Rute, Costa, Ana, Sarmento, Bruno, Hasnain, Sumaira Z., Ross, Benjamin P. and Popat, Amirali (2019). Rationally designed dendritic silica nanoparticles for oral delivery of exenatide. Pharmaceutics, 11 (8) 418, 418. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11080418
Kamato, Danielle, Do, Bich Hang, Osman, Narin, Ross, Benjamin P., Mohamed, Raafat, Xu, Suowen and Little, Peter J. (2019). Smad linker region phosphorylation is a signalling pathway in its own right and not only a modulator of canonical TGF-β signalling. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77 (2), 243-251. doi: 10.1007/s00018-019-03266-3
Zhang, Shaowei, Sakuma, Michiyo, Deora, Girdhar S., Levy, Colin W., Klausing, Alex, Breda, Carlo, Read, Kevin D., Edlin, Chris D., Ross, Benjamin P., Wright Muelas, Marina, Day, Philip J., O’Hagan, Stephen, Kell, Douglas B., Schwarcz, Robert, Leys, David, Heyes, Derren J., Giorgini, Flaviano and Scrutton, Nigel S. (2019). A brain-permeable inhibitor of the neurodegenerative disease target kynurenine 3-monooxygenase prevents accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites. Communications Biology, 2 (1) 271, 271. doi: 10.1038/s42003-019-0520-5
Brain delivery of thyrotropin-releasing hormone via a novel prodrug approach
Prokai-Tatrai, Katalin, De La Cruz, Daniel L., Nguyen, Vien, Ross, Benjamin P., Toth, Istvan and Prokai, Laszlo (2019). Brain delivery of thyrotropin-releasing hormone via a novel prodrug approach. Pharmaceutics, 11 (7) 349, 349. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11070349
Dighe, Satish N., De la Mora, Eugenio, Chan, Stephen, Kantham, Srinivas, McColl, Gawain, Miles, Jared A., Veliyath, Suresh Kumar, Sreenivas, B. Yogi, Nassar, Zeyad D., Silman, Israel, Sussman, Joel L., Weik, Martin, McGeary, Ross P., Parat, Marie-Odile, Brazzolotto, Xavier and Ross, Benjamin P. (2019). Rivastigmine and metabolite analogues with putative Alzheimer’s disease-modifying properties in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Communications Chemistry, 2 (1) 35. doi: 10.1038/s42004-019-0133-4
Lee, Edward C., Nguyen, Chau T. H., Strounina, Ekaterina, Davis-Poynter, Nicholas and Ross, Benjamin P. (2018). Structure-activity relationships of GAG mimetic-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles and evaluation of acyclovir-loaded antiviral nanoparticles with dual mechanisms of action. ACS Omega, 3 (2), 1689-1699. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.7b01662
Kantham, Srinivas, Chan, Stephen, McColl, Gawain, Miles, Jared A., Veliyath, Suresh Kumar, Deora, Girdhar Singh, Dighe, Satish N., Khabbazi, Samira, Parat, Marie-Odile and Ross, Benjamin P. (2017). Effect of the Biphenyl Neolignan Honokiol on Aβ42-Induced Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans, Aβ42 Fibrillation, Cholinesterase Activity, DPPH Radicals, and Iron(II) Chelation. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 8 (9), 1901-1912. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00071
Deora, Girdhar Singh, Kantham, Srinivas, Chan, Stephen, Dighe, Satish N, Veliyath, Suresh K, McColl, Gawain, Parat, Marie-Odile, McGeary, Ross P and Ross, Benjamin P (2017). Multifunctional Analogs of Kynurenic Acid for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Synthesis, Pharmacology, and Molecular Modeling Studies. ACS chemical neuroscience, 8 (12), 2667-2675. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00229
Nguyen, Chau T. H., Webb, Richard I., Lambert, Lynette K., Strounina, Ekaterina, Lee, Edward C., Parat, Marie-Odile, McGuckin, Michael A., Popat, Amirali, Cabot, Peter J. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2017). Bifunctional succinylated ε-polylysine-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pH-responsive and intracellular drug delivery targeting the colon. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 9 (11), 9470-9483. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b00411
Lee, Edward C., Davis-Poynter, Nicholas, Nguyen, Chau T. H., Peters, Amelia A., Monteith, Gregory R., Strounina, Ekaterina, Popat, Amirali and Ross, Benjamin P. (2016). GAG mimetic functionalised solid and mesoporous silica nanoparticles as viral entry inhibitors of herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 viruses. Nanoscale, 8 (36), 16192-16196. doi: 10.1039/c6nr03878f
Dighe, Satish N., Deora, Girdhar Singh, De la Mora, Eugenio, Nachon, Florian, Chan, Stephen, Parat, Marie-Odile, Brazzolotto, Xavier and Ross, Benjamin P. (2016). Discovery and structure-activity relationships of a highly selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor by Structure-based virtual screening. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 59 (16), 7683-7689. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00356
Chan, Stephen, Kantham, Srinivas, Rao, Venkatesan M., Palanivelu, Manoj Kumar, Pham, Hoang L., Shaw, P. Nicholas, McGeary, Ross P. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2016). Metal chelation, radical scavenging and inhibition of Aβ42 fibrillation by food constituents in relation to Alzheimer's disease. Food Chemistry, 199, 185-194. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.11.118
Rajaram, Hemalatha, Palanivelu, Manoj Kumar, Arumugam, Thiruma V., Rao, Venkatesan M., Shaw, P. Nicholas, McGeary, Ross P. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2014). 'Click' assembly of glycoclusters and discovery of a trehalose analogue that retards A(beta)40 aggregation and inhibits A(beta)40-induced neurotoxicity. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 24 (18), 4523-4528. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.07.077
Kutyla, Marguerite J., Boehm, Michael W., Stokes, Jason R., Shaw, P. Nicholas, Davies, Nigel M., McGeary, Ross P., Tuke, Jonathan and Ross, Benjamin P. (2013). Cyclodextrin-crosslinked poly(acrylic acid): adhesion and controlled release of diflunisal and fluconazole from solid dosage forms. AAPS PharmSciTech, 14 (1), 301-311. doi: 10.1208/s12249-012-9903-3
Marguerite J. Kutyla, Lynette K. Lambert, Nigel M. Davies, Ross P. McGeary, P. Nicholas Shaw and Benjamin P. Ross (2013). Cyclodextrin-crosslinked poly(acrylic acid): synthesis, physicochemical characterization and controlled release of diflunisal and fluconazole from hydrogels. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 444 (1-2), 175-184. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.01.005
Popat, Amirali, Ross, Benjamin P., Liu, Jian, Jambhrunkar, Siddharth, Kleitz, Freddy and Qiao, Shi Zhang (2012). Enzyme-responsive controlled release of covalently bound prodrug from functional mesoporous silica nanospheres. Angewandte Chemie International, 51 (50), 12486-12489. doi: 10.1002/anie.201206416
2-Mercaptobenzothiazole and its derivatives: Syntheses, reactions and applications
Wu, Feng-Ling, Hussein, Waleed M., Ross, Benjamin P. and McGeary, Ross P. (2012). 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole and its derivatives: Syntheses, reactions and applications. Current Organic Chemistry, 16 (13), 1555-1580. doi: 10.2174/138527212800840964
Suciati, Lambert, Lynette K., Ross, Benjamin P., Deseo, Myrna A. and Garson, Mary J. (2011). Phytochemical study of Fagraea spp. uncovers a new terpene alkaloid with anti-inflammatory properties. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 64 (4), 489-494. doi: 10.1071/CH10421
New methodology for the conversion of epoxides to alkenes
Wu, Feng-Ling, Ross, Benjamin P. and McGeary, Ross P. (2010). New methodology for the conversion of epoxides to alkenes. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2010 (10), 1989-1998. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200901264
An 'inside-out' approach to suramin analogues
McGeary, Ross P., Bennett, Andrew J., Tran, Quoc B., Prins, Johannes and Ross, Benjamin P. (2009). An 'inside-out' approach to suramin analogues. Tetrahedron, 65 (20), 3990-3997. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2009.03.033
Synthesis of nickel-chelating fluorinated lipids for protein monolayer crystallizations
Hussein, Waleed M., Ross, Benjamin P., Landsberg, Michael J., Levy, Daniel, Hankamer, Ben and McGeary, Ross P. (2009). Synthesis of nickel-chelating fluorinated lipids for protein monolayer crystallizations. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 74 (4), 1473-1479. doi: 10.1021/jo802651p
Ramli, Suria, Gentle, Ian R. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2009). Efficient manual Fmoc solid-phase synthesis of the N-Terminal segment of surfactant protein B (SP-B1-25). Protein and Peptide Letters, 16 (7), 810-814. doi: 10.2174/092986609788681706
Pham, Hoang L., Ross, Benjamin P., McGeary, Ross P., Shaw, P. Nicholas and Davies, Nigel M. (2009). Synthesis of cationic derivatives of Quil A and the preparation of cationic immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs). International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 376 (1-2), 123-133. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2009.04.011
Synthetic approaches to functionalized lipids for protein monolayer crystallizations
Hussein. Waleed M., Ross, Benjamin P., Landsberg, M. J., Hankamer, B and McGeary, Ross P. (2009). Synthetic approaches to functionalized lipids for protein monolayer crystallizations. Current Organic Chemistry, 13 (14), 1378-1405. doi: 10.2174/138527209789055081
Suramin: Clinical uses and structure-activity relationships
McGeary, Ross P., Bennett, Andrew J., Tran, Quoc B., Cosgrove, Kelly L. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2008). Suramin: Clinical uses and structure-activity relationships. Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 8 (13), 1384-1394. doi: 10.2174/138955708786369573
N-1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-1-ylidene)ethyl (N-Dde) Lipoamino Acids
Ross, Benjamin P., Falconer, Robert A. and Toth,, Istvan (2008). N-1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-1-ylidene)ethyl (N-Dde) Lipoamino Acids. Molbank, 2008: M566 (2), M566. doi: 10.3390/M566
Wessling, Susanne T., Ross, Benjamin P., Koda, Yasuko, Blanchfield, Joanne T. and Toth, Istvan (2007). Caco-2 cell permeability and stability of two D-glucopyranuronamide conjugates of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 15 (14), 4946-4950. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2007.04.042
Rhodamine B pentyl ester and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl homologues
Ross, Justin A., Ross, Benjamin P., Cosgrove, Kelly L., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina and McGeary, Ross P. (2006). Rhodamine B pentyl ester and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl homologues. Molbank, 2006: M515 (6) M515, 1-4. doi: 10.3390/M515
Pham, H. L., Ross, B. P., McGeary, R. P., Shaw, P. N., Hewavitharana, A. K. and Davies, N. M. (2006). Saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina: Isolation, Characterization and Ability to Form Immuno Stimulatory Complexes (ISCOMs). Current Drug Delivery, 3 (4), 389-397. doi: 10.2174/156720106778559092
Facile synthesis of rhodamine esters using acetyl chloride in alcohol solution
Ross, J. A., Ross, B. P., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. and McGeary, R. P. (2006). Facile synthesis of rhodamine esters using acetyl chloride in alcohol solution. Synthetic Communications, 36 (12), 1745-1750. doi: 10.1080/00397910600616818
Determination of the anomeric configurations of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-D-mannopyranosyl azide
Cosgrove, K. L., Bernhardt, P. V., Ross, B. P. and McGeary, R. P. (2006). Determination of the anomeric configurations of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-D-mannopyranosyl azide. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 59 (2), 473-476. doi: 10.1071/CH06157
Hayes, Patricia Y., Ross, Benjamin P., Thomas, Bradley G. and Toth, Istvan (2006). Polycationic lipophilic-core dendrons as penetration enhancers for the oral administration of low molecular weight heparin. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 14 (1), 143-152. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.08.004
Ross, B. P. and Toth, I. (2005). Gastrointestinal absorption of Heparin by lipidization or coadministration with penetration enhancers. Current Drug Delivery, 2 (3), 277-287. doi: 10.2174/1567201054367968
Ross, Benjamin P., Braddy, April C., McGeary, Ross P., Blanchfield, Joanne T., Prokai, Laszlo and Toth, Istvan (2004). Micellar aggregation and membrane partitioning of bile salts, fatty acids, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and sugar-conjugated fatty acids: correlation with hemolytic potency and implications for drug delivery. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 1 (3), 233-245. doi: 10.1021/mp049964d
Ross, B. P., DeCruz, S. E., Lynch, T. B., Davis-Goff, K. and Toth, I. (2004). Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a Liposaccharide Drug Delivery Agent: Application to the Gastrointestinal Absorption of Gentamicin. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 47 (5), 1251-1258. doi: 10.1021/jm030474j
Wong, AK, Ross, BP, Chan, YN, Artursson, P, Lazorova, L, Jones, A and Toth, I (2002). Determination of transport in the Caco-2 cell assay of compounds varying in lipophilicity using LC-MS: enhanced transport of Leu-enkephalin analogues. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16 (3), 113-118. doi: 10.1016/S0928-0987(02)00078-7
Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII: Pentabromides from limonene - Two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes
Bernhardt, Paul V., Carman, Raymond M. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2000). Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII: Pentabromides from limonene - Two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 53 (7), 611-614.
Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII - Pentabromides from limonene two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes
Bernhardt, PV, Carman, RM and Ross, BP (2000). Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII - Pentabromides from limonene two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 53 (7), 611-614. doi: 10.1071/CH00022
Ross, Benjamin P., Palanivelu, Manoj, Arumugam, Thiruma V, McGeary, Ross P. and Shaw, Paul N. (2012). Synthesis and effect of dendrimers on the aggregation and neurotoxicity of Alzheimer's amyloid-beta peptide. 4th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12-15 February 2012. Bussum, Netherlands: Bentham Science Publishers.
Effect of pH, salts and glycosaminoglycans on the fibrillization of amyloid beta protein A beta 1-28
Rao, VM, Pham, HL, Shaw, PN, McGeary, RP and Ross, BP (2011). Effect of pH, salts and glycosaminoglycans on the fibrillization of amyloid beta protein A beta 1-28. 241st National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), Anaheim Ca, Mar 27-31, 2011. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
Bala, Neeraj, Aitken, Elizabeth A.B., Hewavitharana, Amitha, Ross, Benjamin and Steadman, Kathryn (2011). Identification of antimicrobial compounds in the crude extracts of the Australian macrofungi, Hohenbuehelia sp. and Ramaria sp., through bioassay-guided fractionation. Australian Pharmaceutical Science Association Conference, Adelaide, Australia, 11-14 December 2011.
Effect of extrinsic elements on the fibrillisation of amyloid beta protein ab(1-28)
Rao, Venkatesan Moorthy, Pham, Hoang, Shaw, Paul N. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2010). Effect of extrinsic elements on the fibrillisation of amyloid beta protein ab(1-28). 62nd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress 2010, Manipal, India, 17-19 December 2010.
Facile synthesis of surface modified poly-(L-lysine)dendrimers by solid phase peptide synthesis
Palanivelu, Manoj Kumar, McGeary, Ross P., Shaw, Paul N. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2010). Facile synthesis of surface modified poly-(L-lysine)dendrimers by solid phase peptide synthesis. Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 6-9 December 2010. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association.
Skoczylas, Malgorzata, Lambert, Lynette Kay, Davies, Nigel M. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2010). Measurement of the association of diflunisal with cyclodextrin-crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) via 19F NMR. Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 6-9 December, 2010. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association.
Optimisation of Alzheimer's amyloid beta (1-28) fibrillisation for Thioflavin T assay
Rao, Venkatesan Moorthy, Shaw, Paul N., McGeary, Ross P. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2010). Optimisation of Alzheimer's amyloid beta (1-28) fibrillisation for Thioflavin T assay. Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 6-9 December 2010. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association.
Optimisation of glycopeptide dendrimer synthesis on solid phase
Rajaram, Hemalatha, Marcano, Kara L, McGeary, Ross P., Shaw, Paul N. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2010). Optimisation of glycopeptide dendrimer synthesis on solid phase. Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 6-9 December, 2010. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association.
Formulation and physical characterization of microemulsions containing isotretinoin
Ramli, S, Ross, BP and Gentle, IR (2009). Formulation and physical characterization of microemulsions containing isotretinoin. International Conference on Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Singapore, Republic of Singapore, 2-4 December 2009. Piscataway, N.J, U.S.A.: IEEE - Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers. doi: 10.1109/ICBPE.2009.5384088
New chemistry from South East Asian medicinal plants
Rudiyansyah, Suciati, Lambert, L.K., Ross, B.P. and Garson, M.J. (2009). New chemistry from South East Asian medicinal plants. 57th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research, Geneva, Switzerland, 16-20 August 2009. Stuttgart, Germany: Georg Thieme. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1234236
Suciati, Garson, M.J. and Ross, B.P. (2009). Secondary metabolites and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of Pandanus amaryllifolius and Pandanus conoideus. 2nd Collaborative Conference Universitas Airlangga-Universiti Sains Malaysia, Surabaya, Indonesia, 10-11 February 2009.
Synthesis and IAM chromatography of prodrug analogues of TRH
Thompson, Justin, Giuseppin, Marco, Palanivelu, Manoj, Harris, Sean and Ross, Benjamin P. (2009). Synthesis and IAM chromatography of prodrug analogues of TRH. Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 9-11 December 2009.
Rudiyansyah, Suciati, Garson, Mary J. and Ross, B. P. (2008). Chemical diversity from indigenous Indonesian plants: New metabolites from Durio spp. and from Fagraea spp.. IOCD International Symposium: Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Studies of Asian Plants, Surabaya, Indonesia, 9-11 April, 2007. Surabaya, Indonesia: Airlangga University Press.
Chemical studies on Indonesian medicinal plants
Garson, M.J., Salim, A.A., . Rudiyansyah, Suciati and Ross, B.P. (2008). Chemical studies on Indonesian medicinal plants. International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development Meeting, Botswana, February, 2008.
Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress
Garson, M. J., Rudiyansyah, Suciati, Lambert, L. K. and Ross, B. P. (2008). Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress. (IUPAC) International Conference on Biodiversity and Natural Products (ICOB-6 and ISCNP-26): 26th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products & 6th International Conference on Biodiversity, Charlottetown, Canada, 13-18 July 2008. Triangle Park, NC, United States: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress
Garson, M.J., Rudiyansyah, Rands-Trevor, K., Suciati, Suciati, Yong, K.W.L., Lambert, L.K., Ross, B.P. and Blanchfield, J.T. (2008). Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: Pitfalls and progress. The Halpern Symposium, Wollongong, Australia, July, 2008.
Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: pitfalls and progress
Garson, M.J., Rudiyansyah, Suciati, Suciati, Lambert, L.K. and Ross, B.P. (2008). Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: pitfalls and progress. Natural Product Group NSW Branch RACI Annual One-Day Meeting, Lismore, Australia, Oct, 2008.
Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: pitfalls and progress
Garson, M.J., Rudiyansyah, Suciati, Lambert, L.K. and Ross, B.P. (2008). Stereochemistry and medicinal natural products: pitfalls and progress. RACI National Organic Chemistry Conference, Hobart, Australia, Dec, 2008.
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.
Liposaccharides in drug delivery
Toth, I., Blanchfield, J. T., McGeary, R. P., Ross, B. P. and Chan, Y. (2002). Liposaccharides in drug delivery. XX1st International Carbohydrate Symposium, Cairns, 7-12 July 2002.
Wong, A. K., Ross, B. P., Artusson, P., Lazorova, L. and Toth, I. (2001). Determination of the transport across Caco-2 cell monolayers of compounds varying in lipophilicity using LC-MS. 26th European Peptide Conference, Montpellier, France, 10th - 15th September, 2000. Paris, France: EDK.
Wong, A. K., Ross, B. P., Jones, A., Artursson, P., Lazorova, L. and Toth, I. (2000). Determination of the transport across CACO-2 cell monolayers of compounds varying in lipophilicity using LC-MS. APSA 2000 Annual Conference, Newcastle, 6-8 December, 2000. Australia: The University of Queensland.
Wong, A. K., Ross, B. P., Jones, A., Artursson, P., Lazorova, L. and Toth, I. (2000). Measurement of the transport across CaCo -2 cell monolayers of compounds varying in lipophilicity using LC-MS. The First Brisbane Biological & Organic Chemistry Symposium, Griffith University, 27 Nov. 2000. Australia: McGraw Hill.
Proceedings of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference 2010
Lynne M. Emmerton, Amelia Peters, Diana G. F. Ross and Benjamin P. Ross eds. (2010). Proceedings of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference 2010. Focus on the Future: Research and Education for a Healthier Community, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 6-9 December 2010.
Lipoamino acid- and carbohydrate- based penetration enhancers for use in oral drug delivery
Ross, Benjamin Paul. (2004). Lipoamino acid- and carbohydrate- based penetration enhancers for use in oral drug delivery. PhD Thesis, School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland.
Establishing a High-Throughput, Microwave-Assisted Automated Peptide Synthesis Facility at PACE
(2016) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Facility for advanced rheological and surface-friction characterisation
(2011) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
(2010) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Development of Novel Disease-Modifying Drugs for the Treatment of Alzherimer's Disease
(2008–2009) Brain Foundation
Novel anti-amyloidogenic therapies for Alzheimer's Disease
(2008–2009) Ramaciotti Foundation
New Clases of Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor: Natural Product Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease
(2007) Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Centrally-Acting Ser- TRH Prodrugs
(2006–2007) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Computer assisted discovery of novel tight junction modulators for oral delivery of biologics and nanomedicines
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
A Recently Identified Calcium Channel Provides Diverse Opportunities for Pharmacotherapy in Breast Cancer
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
ANTIVIRULENCE AGENT NANOFORMULATIONS: A NOVEL STRATEGY TO OVERCOME ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Targeting peripheral kappa and mu bivalent opioid receptors with bivalent opioid peptides for inflammatory pain
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Selective laser sintering (SLS) application in 3D printed medicines
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2023) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Computer-aided design, synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Design, synthesis and evaluation of modulators of calcium-permeable ion channels
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
1,4-Diaryl-5-amino-1,2,3-triazoles as amyloid beta and tau fibrillation inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Development of polyphenols with improved drug-likeness as prospective disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Succinylated epsilon-polylysine coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pH-responsive oral targeted drug delivery to the colon
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Development of drug-like analogues of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate as amyloid-beta fibrillation inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Novel cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Inhibition of ß-amyloid aggregation and neurotoxicity by carbohydrate-capped dendrimers
(2014) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
The Development of Cyclodextrin-Poly(acrylic acid) Conjugates for Sustained Drug Delivery
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2012) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Inhibition of beta-amyloid (1-40) aggregation and neurotoxicity by dendritic polymers
(2012) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Targeted Delivery of Peptides and Proteins Using Functionalised Silica Nanoparticles
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Bio-responsive Nanoparticles for Site Specific Oral Drug Delivery
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Surfactant protein B-based microemulsion as transdermal drug carrier for anti-acne agent
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Australian macrofungi as a source of antimicrobial compounds
(2012) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2011) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Synthesis of nickel-chelating fluorinated lipids for membrane protein monolayer crystallisations
(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
PhD vacancies - PhD opportunities
Australian and international students with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacy are encouraged to contact Dr Ben Ross to discuss possible Honours or PhD projects and scholarships.
Sources of funding include: UQ Scholarships; NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships; Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships; Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Scholarships; Ministry of Education Saudi Arabia; and the China Scholarship Council (CSC), as well as many other funding schemes. Contact Dr Ben Ross via email to discuss the best strategy to obtain a scholarship.