Drugs and diagnostics for superbugs, viruses and cancer

• CO-ADD (Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery)

• Centre for Superbug Solutions

• CDDD (Centre for Drug Discovery and Design

• ORCID

• Scopus

• Publons

• Google Scholar

• New drugs against TB: Novel inhibitors of DprE1

  Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease most commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, claims ~ 2 million lives each year. Benzothiazinones (BTZs) target the essential M. tuberculosis cell wall building enzyme DprE1. BTZs are pro-drugs, activated in the bacterium by reduction of an essential nitro group to a nitroso derivative which then specifically reacts in the active site of DprE1, inactivating the enzyme. While this covalent mechanism imparts exquisite activity to the compounds, the required nitro group represents a liability in terms of toxicity and in vivo metabolism. Recently, the crystal structure of DprE1 was published and we aim to combine this new structural information with the extensive information available in the existing program to develop novel antitubercular compounds without the nitro group liability. This project aims to develop new lead compound classes targeting M. tuberculosis and will involve structure based design and medicinal chemistry. It will leverage the existing expertise within the group in developing in vivo active compounds targeting DprE1.

• PhD in CNS active Anti-inflammatory Compounds

  Interleukin 1β is a key component of the innate immune response vital for host protection against invading pathogens and aiding in cellular and tissue repair. However, IL-1β is also a potent pyrogen and dysregulation leads to a wide variety of diseases including auto inflammatory disorders. We have recently discovered a series of compounds which modulate IL-1β through targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome signalling cascade. These small heterocyclic molecules also show early signs of activity in central nervous system disorders. This project will aim to examine the full potential of the structural class in disorders of the CNS (multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease) while also exploring the therapeutic potential of the class as a whole through structure activity relationship and mode of action studies. Ultimately new optimised drug leads will be generated for development. This is primarily a medicinal chemistry project but is highly interdisciplinary requiring a dedicated scientist keen to expand their skills and knowledge as the project requires.

• Medicinal Chemistry Development of a GPCR Receptor Agonist to Reduce Inflammation

  Excessive inflammatory response results in a range of serious medical conditions. Neutrophil mobilisation is a key component of the inflammatory cascade resulting from injuries such as ischemia. A series of short peptides designed for an inflammation pathway GPCR target have recently show unexpected activity at a related GPCR that has been validated as an attractive therapeutic possibility. These peptides contain a key structural motif that is ripe for exploitation in a peptidomimetic hit-to-lead drug discovery project. Initial studies will focus on exploring the structure-activity relationship (SAR) around the active peptides, followed by a concerted effort to improve potency and drug-like properties via peptide to small molecule peptidomimetic strategies. We seek a motivated and talented student interested in medicinal chemistry, with a focus on peptidomimetic design, chemical synthesis and structural NMR willing to learn a range of techniques to drive this multidisciplinary project.

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