An Investigation of Vibrio cholerae sialidase as a target for drug discovery [ 2001 - 2003 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Mark Von Itzstein (Principal investigator)

Brief description The prevalence of the disease Cholera still causes significant human mortality, in particular in underdevloped countries. The process that enables the cholera toxin to cause signficant damage is now partly understood. This research project will provide a range of chemical entities (probes) that have the potential of intervening in this process . These probes will be the basis for a drug discovery programme that targets toxin binding. Through molecular modelling based on protein structural information, drug candidate synthesis and evaluation of these compounds in relevant test tube (in vitro) assays it is envisaged that a number of candidate compounds will be then further optimised for eventual pre-clinical investigation. The technology to be used in this project is comparable to that we have used in the discovery of the recently approved influenza drug, Relenza .

Funding Amount $AUD 227,036.72

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant