Asaad Khalid - Meeting Tropika

Scientific Rationale & ObjectivesNatural enzyme inhibitors & antimalarialdiscovery Enzymes are the most attractive targets for drug discovery. Cracking the Plasmodium genome identified manyinteresting drugs target for malaria. Vast majority of the antimalarials in clinical use are enzymeinhibitors Natural products yield unorthodox chemical structures fordrug discovery. The goal of this study is to discover/develop new naturalantimalarials that inhibit Plasmodium falciparum Enoyl‐ACP reductase (PfENR) and and/or dihydrofolate reductase(PfDHFR). These enzymes are believed to be promising therapeutictargets in malaria research.2 nd Stakeholders MeetingMRC, Cape Town, South Africa4-7 Oct 2009

Scientific Rationale & ObjectivesOur research strategy Random and traditional medicine-based screening ofmedicinal plants and isolation of enzyme inhibitors. Identification of natural enzyme inhibitors. Analysis of molecular recognition pattern and inhibitorbinding site. Assessing the activities of positive hits in cultured parasites. In vivo Screening of most promising hits.2 nd Stakeholders MeetingMRC, Cape Town, South Africa4-7 Oct 2009

Future Directions & How ANDI Can ContributeFuture Directions Screening of medicinal plants and isolation of enzymeinhibitors. Analysis of molecular recognition pattern and inhibitorbinding site to investigate drug optimization potentials. . In vitro and in vivo Screening of promising hits.How ANDI Can Contribute Sponsoring an extensive natural product- and enzymebaseddrug discovery programs. Encourage collaborations in promising projects Establishment of Natural Products Bank, an urgentneed for drug discovery programs.2 nd Stakeholders MeetingMRC, Cape Town, South Africa4-7 Oct 2009

Acknowledgements**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *** Mr. Sufyan A. Alkarim Dr. Sean Prigge, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health,Baltimore, USA. Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary, International Center for Chemical &Biological Sciences, Pakistan.**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *** Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Arabia. Sudan Academy of Sciences, Sudan. Agricultural Bank of Sudan, Sudan. National Centre for Research, Sudan. Ministry of Finance, Government of Sudan.2 nd Stakeholders MeetingMRC, Cape Town, South Africa4-7 Oct 2009