Infectious Disease

Malaria affects half of the world's population. To address this problem, a web-based in silico database of Kenyan natural products will be developed for virtual screening against the malaria parasite. The hits from the virtual screen will then be synthesized and optimized for maximum antimalarial activity. The study will contribute novel templates for the discovery of antimalarial drugs.

Problem: Prompt access to effective antimalarials is the cornerstone for eliminating malaria deaths. Yet, access to effective antimalarials in rural remote areas, where malaria burden is highest, is poor. Implication: Through scaling up of ADDOs, Tanzania can take advantage of the mushrooming motorcycle transport business to ensure that antimalarials reach the neediest; thus attaining the dream ‘Tanzania without malaria deaths is possible’.

Malaria is one of the biggest infectious killers globally and drug resistance is a major reason why. Our project seeks to circumvent drug resistance by targeting a molecular chaperone called Heat Shock Protein 90, the master regulator of the parasite stress response. Follow University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine on Twitter @uofcmedicine"

This project aims to rescue a child with cerebral malaria from death or long-term cognitive impairment, by protecting their brain. The idea is to use PPARg agonists, a type of anti-diabetic drug, to treat cerebral malaria. PPARg agonists have neuro-protective and neuro-regenerative properties, that may help to reduce and repair malaria-caused brain injury

Current malaria surveillance relies on identifying the malaria parasite by microscopy and detecting soluble parasite antigens using Rapid Diagnostic Tests. Both techniques do not detect low-level, non-evident malaria infections, and are inherently hazardous and invasive. This innovative idea aims to develop a non-invasive, thermo-stable, saliva-based and field adaptable molecular method for nation-wide surveillance of malaria in Cameroon and Senegal. The technique will stabilize Malaria parasite DNA in saliva at ambient temperatures for up to one year, saving the cost of cold storage.

We propose a simple, affordable and practical approach to differentiate between malaria and bacterial diseases and guide treatment through the use of a combined rapid test based on two validated markers of bacterial and malaria infection.

To develop a diagnostic assay that will simultaneously detect and quantify p.falciparum in patients. It will be non-invasive, easily adaptable, hence improve patient compliance and management, leading to reduced mortality from unreliable lab results.

We will develop a low cost disposable test for rapidly diagnosing malaria in low resource settings. This test will be based on direct molecular detection of malaria RNA in unprocessed blood to determine which malaria strains are present in

This project addresses the problem of hundreds of antibiotics being available on the market but only a few are effective to treat tuberculosis. Developing new drugs is a long (10-15 years) and expensive (~$800 millions) process. Identification of synergistic combinations using drugs approved for other therapeutic applications can allow the introduction of new tuberculosis therapies in shorter time. Follow Santiago Ramon-Garcia on Twitter @s_ramongarcia"

KAPPA is a theory-driven model to reduce HIV transmission by combining biomedical and behavioural interventions and diffusing them via social/sexual networks of men who have sex with men (MSM). This study will explore the uptake potential of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a prevention strategy among MSM and a medical practice among physicians.