Principal Investigator (PI)
The Foundation is providing £159,747 in support.
Jaime Escribano - Ms. Minjeong Seo
GSK provides in-kind contributions (including facilities and expertise from supporting scientists for HTS and GSK collection of compounds).
There is an alarming increase in the number of cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. This form of disease is particularly difficult to treat because the bacteria have become resistant to the most efficient antibiotics. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for human tuberculosis is able to infect and hide in human macrophages (a cell of the immune defence system). Once inside a macrophage, the bacteria become naturally resistant to most anti-Tuberculosis drugs. The InstitutPasteur Korea recently discovered a new class of compounds that specifically kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis residing inside macrophages. During their time at the Open Lab, both Jaime and Minjeong are focusing their expertise in medicinal chemistry and cytotoxicity to enhance the efficacy and safety of this new class of compound.
“By developing a new class of drug, we hope to contribute to the development of the next generation of medicines that will be used to treat patients suffering from multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.” (Dr. Jaime Escribano, Open Lab scientist)