Development of Antimalarial Drug Leads Through Inhibition of Food Vacuole Falcipains

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Investigator: Philip J. Rosenthal, MD
Sponsor: University of Sydney

Location(s): Australia

Description

Malaria is an infectious disease responsible for enormous morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is estimated to account for nearly one million deaths annually, nearly all due to infection with Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent human malaria parasite. The emergence of parasites resistant to currently prescribed drugs has resulted in a desperate need for the development of new antimalarials with novel modes of action. This project will discover new antimalarials that starve the parasite by preventing the digestion of host hemoglobin.