Dr Sabatino Ventura - Researcher Profile

Biography

Position

Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Functional Biology Group Leader
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Action
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Qualifications

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 2005

MEDICINE

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 1992

SCIENCE

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 1989

Publications

Journal Articles

Mustafa, S., See, H.B., Seeber, R., Armstrong, S.P., White, C., Ventura, S., Ayoub, M.A., Pfleger, K., 2012, Identification and profiling of novel alpha 1(A)-adrenoceptor-CXC chemokine receptor 2 heteromer, Journal Of Biological Chemistry [P], vol 287, issue 16, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc., USA, pp. 12952-12965.

Debono, A.J., Xie, J.H., Ventura, S., Pouton, C.W., Capuano, B., Scammells, P.J., 2012, Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-substituted noscapine analogues, Chemmedchem [P], vol 7, issue 12, Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Germany, pp. 2122-2133.

Ventura, S., 2012, What makes the a 1A-adrenoceptor gene express the a 1L-adrenoceptor functional phenotype?, British Journal of Pharmacology [P], vol 165, issue 5, Wiley-Blackwell, USA, pp. 1223-1225.

Nguyen, D., Dey, A., Lang, R., Ventura, S., Exintaris, B., 2011, Contractility and pacemaker cells in the prostate gland, Journal Of Urology [P], vol 185, issue 1, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 347-351.

White, C., Short, J., Haynes, J., Matsui, M., Ventura, S., 2011, Contractions of the Mouse Prostate Elicited by Acetylcholine Are Mediated by M(3) Muscarinic Receptors, Journal Of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics [P], vol 339, issue 3, AMER SOC PHARMACOLOGY EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS, USA, pp. 870-877.

Chua, T., Simpson, J., Ventura, S., 2011, Ethanol extracts of saw palmetto contain the indirectly acting sympathomimetic: tyramine, Prostate [P], vol 71, issue 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., United States, pp. 71-80.

Lam, M., Kerr, K., Ventura, S., Exintaris, B., 2011, Extracellular Ca2+ entry and mobilization of inositol trisphosphate-dependent Ca2+ stores modulate histamine and electrical field stimulation induced contractions of the guinea-pig prostate, Pharmacological Research [P], vol E, ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, United Kingdom, pp. 1-7.

Ventura, S., Oliver, V., White, C., Xie, A., Haynes, J., Exintaris, B., 2011, Novel drug targets for the pharmacotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), British Journal of Pharmacology [P], vol 163, issue 5, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 891-907.

Oliver, V.L., Anderson, C.J., Ventura, S., Haynes, J.M., 2010, Androgens regulate adenylate cyclase activity and intracellular calciumin stromal cells derived from human prostate, Prostate [P], vol 70, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., USA, pp. 1222-1232.

Tokanovic, S., White, C., Malone, D.T., Exintaris, B., Ventura, S., 2010, Characterisation of the prostanoid receptor mediating inhibition of smooth muscle contractility in the rat prostate gland, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology [P], vol 381, Springer, Germany, pp. 321-328.

Xu, Y.H., Ventura, S., 2010, Extracts of bark from the traditional Chinese herb Phellodendron amurense inhibit contractility of the isolated rat prostate gland, Journal of Ethnopharmacology [P], vol 127, issue 1, Elsevier Ireland Ltd, Ireland, pp. 196-199.

Brandi, A., Simpson, J., Ventura, S., 2010, Isoflavones isolated from red clover (Trifolium pratense) inhibit smooth muscle contraction of the isolated rat prostate gland, Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology [P], vol 17, issue 11, Urban und Fischer Verlag, Germany, pp. 895-901.

White, C., Short, J.L., Haynes, J.M., Evans, R.J., Ventura, S., 2010, The residual nonadrenergic contractile response to nerve stimulation of the mouse prostate is mediated by acetylcholine but not ATP in a comparison with the mouse vas deferens, Journal Of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics [P], vol 335, issue 2, The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, USA, pp. 489-496.

Xie, J.H., Hollande, F., Haynes, J.M., Pouton, C.W., Ventura, S., 2010, Troubleshooting immunohistochemical labelling of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in cryocut tissue sections of mouse prostate, Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods [P], vol 61, Elsevier Inc, United States, pp. 98-101.

Ventura, S., Onsman, A., 2009, The use of popular movies during lectures to aid the teaching and learning of undergraduate pharmacology, Medical Teacher [P], vol 31, issue 7, Informa Healthcare Ltd, UK, pp. 662-664.

Gray, K.T., Short, J.L., Ledent, C., Ventura, S., 2008, Targeted disruption of the A2A adenosine receptor reduces in-vitro prostate contractility in mature mice, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 592, issue 1-3, Elsevier B.V., Netherlands, pp. 151-157.

Gray, K.T., Short, J.L., Ventura, S., 2008, The alpha1A-adrenoceptor gene is required for the alpha1L-adrenoceptor-mediated response in isolated preparations of the mouse prostate, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 155, issue 1, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, UK, pp. 103-109.

Tokanovic, S., Malone, D.T., Ventura, S., 2007, Stimulation of epithelial CB1 receptors inhibits contractions of the rat prostate gland, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 150, issue 2, Nature Publishing Group, UK, pp. 227-234.

Gray, K.T., Short, J.L., Simpson, E.R., Ventura, S., 2007, The effects of targeted deletion of the aromatase enzyme on prostatic contractile responses to noradrenaline in mice, Journal of Endocrinology, vol 195, issue 3, Society for Endocrinology, Great Britain, pp. 495-502.

Eppel, G.A., Ventura, S., Denton, K.M., Evans, R.G., 2006, Lack of contribution of P2X receptors to neurally mediated vasoconstriction in the rabbit kidney in vivo, Acta Physiologica, vol 186, issue 3, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford UK, pp. 197-207.

Eppel, G.A., Ventura, S., Evans, R.G., 2006, Regional vascular responses to ATP and ATP analogues in the rabbit kidney in vivo: roles for adenosine receptors and prostanoids, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 149, issue 5, Nature Publishing Group, London England, pp. 523-531.

Cao, N., Haynes, J.M., Ventura, S., 2006, Saw palmetto is an indirectly acting sympathomimetic in the rat-isolated prostate gland, The Prostate, vol 66, issue 2, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken USA, pp. 115-123.

Gray, K.T., Ventura, S., 2006, alpha1L-Adrenoceptors mediate contractions of the isolated mouse prostate, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 540, issue 1-3, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 155-161.

Lumsden, N.G., Ventura, S., Dauer, R., Hodgson, W.C., 2005, A biochemical and pharmacological examination of Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus (Rufous beaked snake) venom, Toxicon, vol 45, issue 2, Pergamon-Elsevier ltd, Kidlington England, pp. 219-231.

Haynes, J.M., Ventura, S., 2005, Current models of human prostate contractility, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol 32, issue 10, Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 797-804.

Gray, K.T., Ventura, S., 2005, Evaluation of the mouse prostate as a suitable model for the study of human prostate function, Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, vol 51, issue 1, Elsevier Inc, USA, pp. 41-50.

Lumsden, N.G., Fry, B.G., Ventura, S., Kini, R.M., Hodgson, W.C., 2005, Pharmacological characterisation of a neurotoxin from the venom of Boiga dendrophila (Mangrove catsnake), Toxicon, vol 45, issue 3, Pergamon-Elsevier Ltd, Kidlington England, pp. 329-334.

Buljubasich, R., Ventura, S., 2004, Adenosine 5' -triphosphate and noradrenaline are excitatory cotransmitters to the fibromuscular stroma of the guinea pig prostate gland, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 499, issue 3, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 335-344.

Lumsden, N.G., Fry, B.G., Ventura, S., Kini, R.M., Hodgson, W.C., 2004, The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of Boiga dendrophila (mangrove catsnake) venom, Autonomic & Autacoid Pharmacology, vol 24, issue 4, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford UK, pp. 107-113.

Ventura, S., Dewalagama, R., Lau, L.L., 2003, Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is an excitatory cotransmitter with noradrenaline to the smooth muscle of the rat prostate gland, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 138, issue 7, Nature Publishing Group, UK, pp. 1277-1284.

Ventura, S., Salamoussa, A., 2002, Big endothelin-1 but not endothelin-1 is present in the smooth muscle stroma of the prostate gland of the rat, Journal Of Anatomy [P], vol 200, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., UK, pp. 153-158.

Ventura, S., Pennefather, J.N., Mitchelson, F., 2002, Cholinergic innervation and function in the prostate gland, Pharmacology & Therapeutics: An International Review Journal, vol 94, issue 1-2, Elsevier Science Inc., USA, pp. 93-112.

Ramasamy, S., Hodgson, W.C., Ventura, S., 2002, Protein kinase C and the sub-sensitivity and sub-reactivity of the diabetic rat prostrate gland to noradenaline, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 434, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 151-161.

Evans, R.G., Ventura, S., Dampney, R.A.L., Ludbrook, J., 2001, Neural mechanisms in the cardiovascular responses to acute central hypovolaemia, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol 28, issue 5/6, Blackwell Science Asia, Carlton Vic Australia, pp. 479-487.

Kalodimos, P.J., Ventura, S., 2001, b2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibiton of field stimulation induced contractile responses of the smooth muscle of the rat prostate gland, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 431, issue 1, Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 81-89.

Ventura, S., Lau, W.A.K., Buljubasich, S., Pennefather, J.N., 2000, Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibits contractions of the prostatic stroma of the rat but not the guinea-pig, Regulatory Peptides, vol 91, Elsevier, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 63-73.

Preston, A., Lau, W.A.K., Pennefather, J.N., Ventura, S., 2000, Effects of adenine nucleosides and nucleotides on neuromuscular transmission to the prostatic stroma of the rat, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 131, Nature Publishing Group, Basingstoke England, pp. 1073-1080.

Ventura, S., Lau, W.A.K., Buljubasich, S., Pennefather, J.N., 2000, Species differences in the actions of sensory neuropeptides on contractility of the smooth muscle of the rat and guinea-pig prostate, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol 27, Blackwell Science, Carlton Vic Australia, pp. 917-921.

Pennefather, J.N., Lau, W.A., Mitchelson, F.J., Ventura, S., 2000, The autonomic and sensory innervation of the smooth muscle off the prostate gland: a review of pharmacological and histological studies, Journal of Autonomic Pharmacology, vol 20, Blackwell Science, Oxford England, pp. 193-206.

Salamoussa, A., Lau, W.A.K., Pennefather, J.N., Ventura, S., 2000, The contractile effects of endothelins on the smooth muscle of the rat prostate gland, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 403, Elsevier, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 139-145.

Pennefather, J.N., Lau, W.A., Chin, C., Story, M.E., Ventura, S., 1999, Alpha 1L-adrenoceptors mediate noradrenaline-induced contractions of the guinea-pig prostate stroma, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 384, Elsevier, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 25-30.

Buljubasich, S., Lau, W.A., Pennefather, J.N., Ventura, S., 1999, An immunohistochemical and pharmacological study of tachykinins in the rat and guinea-pig prostate glands, European Journal of Pharmacology, vol 380, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam Netherlands, pp. 137-144.

Lau, W.A., Ventura, S., Pennefather, J.N., 1998, Pharmacology of neurotransmission to the smooth muscle of the rat and the guinea-pig prostate glands, Journal of Autonomic Pharmacology, vol 18, Blackwell, Avenel USA, pp. 349-356.

Conference Proceedings

Buljubasich, R., Burnstock, G., Ventura, S., 2006, Age-dependent changes in neurotransmission to the fibromuscular stroma of the guinea-pig prostate gland, Proceedings of the Australian Health & Medical Research Congress 2006, 26 Nov 06 - 1 Dec 06, Australian Health & Medical Research Congress, Melbourne Vic Australia, p. 404.

Buljubasich, R., Burnstock, G., Ventura, S., 2006, Age-dependent changes in neurotransmission to the fibromuscular stroma of the guinea-pig prostate gland, Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting on Advances in Urogenital Research 2006, 29 September 2006, Griffith University, Griffith University, p. 15.

Tokanovic, S., Malone, D.T., Ventura, S., 2006, Cannabinoids inhibit rat prostate smooth muscle contractility via epithelial CB1 receptors, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 2-7 July 2006, Blackwell Publishing, Beijing China, p. 373.

Ventura, S., Cao, N., Haynes, J.M., 2006, Extracts of saw palmetto have indirectly acting sympatomimetic effects in the rat prostrate gland, XVth World Congress of Pharmacology: Meeting Abstracts, 2-7 July 2006, Blackwell Publishing, Beijing China, p. 336.

Chua, T., Simpson, J.S., Ventura, S., 2006, Fractionation of saw palmetto extracts and bioassay of fractions in isolated rat prostate gland, Proceedings of the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress 2006, 26.11.06-1.12.06, Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Melbourne Vic Australia, p. 407.

Short, J.L., Exintaris, B., White, P.J., Ventura, S., 2006, How do we improve skills required for critical thinking in pharmacy students?, Chinese Pharmacologist, 29 June - 1 July 2006, Chinese Pharmacological Society, Beijing China, p. 9.

Buljubasich, R., Burnstock, G., Ventura, S., 2006, NF449 inhibits nerve-mediated contractions of guinea-pig prostatic smooth muscle, Inaugural VCPPA Postgraduate Symposium and Careers Forum - Poster, 24 October 2006.

Buljubasich, R., Burnstock, G., Ventura, S., 2006, NF449 inhibits nerve-mediated contractions of guinea-pig prostatic smooth muscle, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 2-7 July 2006, Blackwell Publishing, Beijing China, p. 258.

Gray, K.T., Ventura, S., 2006, Noradrenaline induced contractile activity in the isolated mouse prostate gland is mediated by alpha1L-adrenoceptors, Proceedings of 15th World Congress of Pharmacology: Satellite on Pharmacology of Adrenoceptors 2006, 7-9 July 2006, Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing China, p. 35.

Tokanovic, S., Malone, D.T., Ventura, S., 2006, Stimulation of epithelial CB1 receptors inhibits contractions of the rat prostate gland, Proceedings of the Australian Health & Medical Research Congress 2006, 26 Nov 06 - 1 Dec 06, Australian Health & Medical Research Congress, Melbourne Vic Australia, p. 157.

Tokanovic, S., Malone, D.T., Ventura, S., 2006, The effect of cannabinoids on smooth muscle contractility of the rat prostate, 16th annual ICRS symposium on the cannabinoids, 24-28 June 2006, Semmelweis, p. 179.

Ventura, S., 2006, The use of popular movies in the teaching of pharmacology, Chinese Pharmacologist 2006, 29 June - 1 July 2006, Chinese Pharmacological Society, Beijing China, p. 26.

Gray, K.T., Short, J.L., Simpson, E., Ventura, S., 2006, Unchanged prostate contractility in the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse: Comparison between wildtype, heterozygous and mutant mice, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 2-7 July 2006, Blackwell Publishing, Beijing China, p. 373.

Gray, K.T., Short, J.L., Simpson, E.R., Ventura, S., 2006, Unchanged prostate contractility in the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse: comparison between wildtype, heterozygous and mutant mice, AHMRC Conference Proceedings, p. 405.

Ventura, S., Lau, W.A., Pennefather, J.N., 1999, Neuropeptide Y is co-localiized with noradrenaline in nerve fibres innervating the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig prostate, European Urology, Paris, 1998, Karger, Basel Switzerland, pp. 114-Abstr. 5.

Ventura, S., Lau, W.A., Pennefather, J.N., 1999, Neuropeptide Y is co-localized in noradrenaline and acetylcholinesterase containing nerve fibres innervating the prostate gland of the guinea-pig, Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, TAS, Jan 1999, Aust Neurosci Society, Melnourne Vic Australia, pp. 69-Oral 14-2.

Salamoussa, A., Lau, W.A., Ventura, S., 1999, The presence and effects of endothelins in the rat prostate gland, Proceedings of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists, Sydney, NSW, Dec 1999, ASCEPT, Sydney NSW Australia, pp. 87-Post 1-30.

Preston, A., Lau, W.A., Ventura, S., 1999, The role of purines in neurotransmission to the smooth muscle of the rat prostate gland, Proceedings of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists, Sydney, NSW, Dec 1999, ASCEPT, Sydney NSW Australia, pp. 88-Post 1-31.

Ventura, S., Lau, W.A., Buljubasich, S., Pennefather, J.N., 1999, The role of tachykinins in rat and guinea-pig prostate gland: effects on contractility of stromal smooth muscle, Proceedings of the Australian Physiological and Pharmacological Society, Newcastle, NSW, Sept 1999, APPS, Melbourne Vic Australia, p. 130P.

Ventura, S., Lau, W.A., Pennefather, J.N., 1998, Neuropeptide Y is co-localized with noradrenaline in the nerve fibres innervating the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig prostate, X111th International Congress of Pharmacology Satellite Symposium: Alpha1-adrenoceptors as targets for therapeutic agents in urology, Paris, July 1998, SZ Langer, Paris, p. 31 E5.

Ventura, S., 1998, Neurotransmission in the guinea-pig and rat prostate: possible alternative treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia, Proceedings of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists, Hobart, TAS, Decmber 1998, ASCEPT, Sydney NSW Australia, p. 13.

Ventura, S., Pennefather, J.N., Lau, W.A., Mitchelson, F.J., 1998, Neurotransmission to the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig prostate, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, Munchen, Germany, July 1998, Springer, Berlin, p. R243.

Ventura, S., Pennefather, J.N., Lau, W.A., Mitchelson, F.J., 1998, Neurotransmission to the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig prostate, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, Munchen Germany, 26-31 July 1998, Springer Verlag, Germany, p. R243.

Buljubasich, S., Lau, W.A., Ventura, S., Pennefather, J.N., 1998, Neurotransmission to the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig prostate: the presence and effects of tachykinins, Proceedings of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists, Hobart, TAS, December 1998, ASCEPT, Sydney NSW Australia, p. 132.

Other

Ventura, S., 1998, Autoinhibition, sympathetic cotransmission and biphasic contractile responses to trains of nerve stimulation in the rodent vas deferens, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol 25, Blackwell, Carlton Vic Australia, pp. 965-973.

Teaching Commitment

• Senior lecturer to undergraduate Bachelor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science students
• Supervisor of PhD and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours) graduate research students
• Coordinator of Bachelor of Pharmacy physiology and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science drug action units
• Development of curriculum for teaching of undergraduate pharmacology to health science students

Activities

Affiliations with institutes

Functional biology group leader
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Action
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Chemical and pharmacological investigation of the effects of phytotherapeutics on the contractility of the prostate gland.

Supervisors:

Simpson, J (Joint), Ventura, S (Joint-co).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Identification and isolation of prostate cancer stem cells from prostate cancer cell lines..

Supervisors:

Ventura, S (Main), Haynes, J (Associate), Hollande, F (Associate), Pouton, C (Associate), Sloan, E (Associate).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

What makes the alpha1A-adrenoceptor gene express the alpha1L-adrenoceptor functional phenotype?.

Supervisors:

Evans, B (Joint), Ventura, S (Joint-co), May, L (Associate), Summers, R (Associate).

Completed Supervision

Student:

Chua, T.

Program of Study:

Effects of saw palmetto extracts on prostate gland function in the rat. (PHD) 2012.

Supervisors:

Ventura, S (Main), Simpson, J (Associate).

Student:

Gray, K.

Program of Study:

A pharmacological study of the mechanisms underlying prostate contractility in mice. (PHD) 2007.

Supervisors:

Ventura, S (Main), Short, J (Associate).