Tuberculosis Drug discovery-UK (TBD-UK)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Sch of Medicine
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
N/A
Organisations
- University of St Andrews, United Kingdom (Collaboration, Lead Research Organisation)
- Putra Malaysia University (Collaboration)
- University College London, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (Collaboration)
- Durham University, Durham (Collaboration)
- Government of the UK (Collaboration)
- Medical University of Graz, Austria (Collaboration)
- Institute of chemical technology (Collaboration)
- University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Birkbeck, University of London (Collaboration)
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (Collaboration)
- King's College London, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
Publications
Abo-Ashour MF
(2018)
Novel indole-thiazolidinone conjugates: Design, synthesis and whole-cell phenotypic evaluation as a novel class of antimicrobial agents.
in European journal of medicinal chemistry
Abuhammad A
(2014)
Exploration of piperidinols as potential antitubercular agents.
in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Agre N
(2020)
Exploration of 5-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles as selective, multitargeted antimycobacterial agents.
in Chemical biology & drug design
Agre N
(2019)
Synthesis and mycobacterial evaluation of 5-substituted-6-acetyl-2-amino-7-methyl-5,8-dihydropyrido-[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives.
in Archiv der Pharmazie
Alderwick LJ
(2011)
Biochemical characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate synthetase.
in Glycobiology
Amaral L
(2010)
Thioridazine cures extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and the need for global trials is now!
in International journal of antimicrobial agents
Arranz-Trullén J
(2017)
Host Antimicrobial Peptides: The Promise of New Treatment Strategies against Tuberculosis.
in Frontiers in immunology
Bacon J
(2010)
Antibiotic Resistance Protocols
Basavannacharya C
(2010)
ATP-dependent MurE ligase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: biochemical and structural characterisation.
in Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Brucoli F
(2016)
DNA sequence-selective C8-linked pyrrolobenzodiazepine-heterocyclic polyamide conjugates show anti-tubercular-specific activities.
in The Journal of antibiotics
Carroll MV
(2009)
Multiple routes of complement activation by Mycobacterium bovis BCG.
in Molecular immunology
Cehovin A
(2010)
Comparison of the moonlighting actions of the two highly homologous chaperonin 60 proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
in Infection and immunity
Coxon GD
(2012)
Strategies and challenges involved in the discovery of new chemical entities during early-stage tuberculosis drug discovery.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Danquah CA
(2018)
Analogues of Disulfides from Allium stipitatum Demonstrate Potent Anti-tubercular Activities through Drug Efflux Pump and Biofilm Inhibition.
in Scientific reports
Donoghue HD
(2010)
Tuberculosis in Dr Granville's mummy: a molecular re-examination of the earliest known Egyptian mummy to be scientifically examined and given a medical diagnosis.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Dover LG
(2011)
Current status and research strategies in tuberculosis drug development.
in Journal of medicinal chemistry
Evangelopoulos D
(2011)
Characterization of an oxidoreductase from the arylamine N-acetyltransferase operon in Mycobacterium smegmatis.
in The FEBS journal
Evangelopoulos D
(2014)
Characterisation of a putative AraC transcriptional regulator from Mycobacterium smegmatis.
in Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Evangelopoulos D
(2010)
Rapid methods for testing inhibitors of mycobacterial growth.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Ferluga J
(2021)
Vaccination Strategies Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: BCG and Beyond.
in Advances in experimental medicine and biology
Fullam E
(2009)
Comparison of the Arylamine N-acetyltransferase from Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
in The protein journal
Gupta A
(2012)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: immune evasion, latency and reactivation.
in Immunobiology
Gupta A
(2009)
Fast-growing, non-infectious and intracellularly surviving drug-resistant Mycobacterium aurum: a model for high-throughput antituberculosis drug screening.
in The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
| Title | A short film launched to commemorate World TB Day |
| Description | a short film was produced and launched at the World TB Summit in London to commemorate the World TB Day in 2014 |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Impact | enhanced public engagement and understanding in TB control, education and laboratory research. |
| URL | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvvvTM__GFI |
| Description | Engaging local MP and a Member of House of Lords in TB control |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Input to the APPG on Global Tuberculosis call for evidence |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| Description | Mentoring Session at INTERNATIONAL UNION on Antibitic Resistance in TB |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | http://www.stoptb.org/assets/documents/ |
| Description | EU Innovative Medicines Initiative |
| Amount | £5,902,837 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 03/2012 |
| End | 02/2017 |
| Description | European Respiratory Society Short-term Research Fellowship |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Respiratory Society (ERS) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2016 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | MRC New Investigators Research Grant |
| Amount | £600,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2009 |
| End | 09/2012 |
| Description | MRC Research Grant |
| Amount | £505,280 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2010 |
| End | 05/2013 |
| Description | MRC Research Grant |
| Amount | £495,902 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2010 |
| End | 08/2013 |
| Description | PreDiCT-TB |
| Amount | £1,000,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 115337 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 03/2012 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance (SULSA)/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (Bioscape with SULSA and Helpbery Therapeutics PLC) |
| Amount | £87,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2011 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Title | GlgE target |
| Description | Critical target for M. tuberculosis drug discovery identified |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - in vitro |
| Year Produced | 2010 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This enables a new approach to discover new TB drugs |
| Title | In-vivo models of drug evaluation |
| Description | Mouse, guinea pig and primate models developed for new compound evaluation, |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Critical assessment models (previously unavailable) ready for use by TB drug discovery researchers. |
| Title | Mur ligase assay |
| Description | Assay for screening of compounds. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2009 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Novel inhibitors identified |
| Title | X-ray crystal structures |
| Description | X-ray crystal structures of Mur ligases deposited in protein crystal databank with codes 2XW7, 2WTZ, 2XJA |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of Data/Biological Samples |
| Year Produced | 2009 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Has enabled structure based design of inhibitors |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Structure/mmdb/mmdbsrv.cgi?uid=2XW7 |
| Description | Computational Biology (Bioinformatics), ISMB |
| Organisation | Birkbeck, University of London |
| Department | Department of Biological Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | we supplied the structural information of ATP dependent MurE ligase from M. tuberculosis and the structures of MurE ligase inhibitors and theirs analogues. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supervised a PhD student in my group on molecular docking of M. tuberculosis MurE inhibitors. |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary collaboration between computational biology and molecular microbiology generated an original research article (published): Guzman. J-D.; Wube, A.; Evangelopoulos, D.; Gupta, A.; Hüfner, A.; Basavannacharya, C.; Raman, M. M.; Thomaschitz, C.; Bauer, R.; McHugh, T.D.; Nobeli, I.; Prieto, J. M.; Gibbons, S.; Bucar, F.; and Bhakta, S. (2011) Interaction of N-methyl-2-alkenyl-4-quinolones with ATP-dependent MurE ligase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: antibacterial activity, molecular docking and inhibition kinetics. J. Antimicrob. Chemotherapy 66(8):1766-72. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Inhibitors of Cell wall PG (Med Chem) |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Chemistry |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | evaluation of the biological properties of the novel compounds against the whole mycobacterial cell as well as against the target enzymes (ATP dependent mur ligases). Currently supervising an interdisciplinary PhD student. A joint UK patent application and an original research article are under review. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Synthesized novel derivatives (more than 100) of aporphine alkaloids as antituberculars. |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary collaboration in between medicinal chemistry, molecular microbiology and chemical biology. Resulted in successful joint supervision of one PhD student, two post-graduate project students, three original research articles and a joint patent application. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | NCEs and new formulations to tackle MDR-TB_India |
| Organisation | Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Comprehensive evaluation of biological properties of pure natural product compounds against whole mycobacterial cell, drug efflux mechanisms and biofilm formation as well as against the target enzymes (such as ATP dependent mur ligases, Muerin peptide ligase, Arylamine N-acetyltransferase, Oxidoreductases from M. tuberculosis). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Generated novel chemical entities and pharmaceutical formulations for testing their anti-TB properties and investigating modes of action |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary collaboration between pharmaceutical science and molecular microbiology & biochemistry. A joint split-site commonwealth proposal application is currently under review. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Natural Product Chemistry UCL-SOP |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | School of Pharmacy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Evaluation of the biological properties of the crude extracts, partially purified fractions, pure natural product compounds against the whole mycobacterial cell as well as against the target enzymes (ATP dependent mur ligases). Jointly supervised two interdisciplinary Bloomsbury PhD students and currently supervising two international (Govt funded) PhD students. Generated 9 joint original research publications, 1 review article and a few others under preparation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | training and advice on extraction, purification and charaterisation of natural products. Contributing to a library of natural products compounds for a comprehensive whole-cell and target-based evaluation. |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary collaboration in between natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry and molecular microbiology: Original research articles: 1. Guzman, J.D.; Mortazavi, P.N.; Munshi, T.; Evangelopoulos, D.; McHugh, T.D.; Gibbons, S.; Malkinson, J. and Bhakta, S. (2014) 2-Hydroxy-substituted cinnamic acids and acetanilides are selective growth inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ChemMedComm 5 (1) 47 - 50. 2. Shiu WK, Malkinson JP, Rahman MM, Curry J, Stapleton P, Gunaratnam M, Neidle S, Mushtaq S, Warner M, Livermore DM, Evangelopoulos D, Basavannacharya C, Bhakta, S., Schindler BD, Seo SM, Coleman D, Kaatz GW, Gibbons S. (2013) A new plant-derived antibacterial is an inhibitor of efflux pumps in Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 42(6):513-8. 3. Guzman JD, Evangelopoulos D, Gupta A, Birchall K, Mwaigwisya S, Saxty B, McHugh TD, Gibbons S, Malkinson J, Bhakta S.* (2013) Antitubercular specific activity of ibuprofen and the other 2-arylpropanoic acids using the HT-SPOTi whole-cell phenotypic assay. BMJ Open, 3(6). 4. Guzman JD, Evangelopoulos D, Gupta A, Prieto JM, Gibbons S. and Bhakta S. (2013) Antimycobacterials from Lovage Root (Ligusticum officinale Koch). Phytotherapy Research, 27(7):993-8. 5. Wube, A.; Guzman, J.D.; Hüfner, A.; Hochfellner, C.; Blunder, M.; Bauer, R.; Gibbons, S.; Bhakta, S. and Bucar, F. (2012) Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of N-alkyl-2-alkynyl-4-(1H)-quinolones. Molecules 17(7):8217-40.1. 6. Osman, K., Evangelopoulos, D., Basavannacharya, C., Gupta, A., McHugh, T.D., Bhakta, S. and Gibbons, S. (2012) An antibacterial from Hypericum acmosepalum inhibits ATP dependent MurE ligase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents. 39(2):124-9. 7. Guzman, J.D., Wube, A., Evangelopoulos, D., Gupta, A., Hüfner, A., Basavannacharya, C., Rahman, M.M., Thomaschitz, C., Bauer, R., McHugh, T.D., Nobeli, I., Prieto, J.M., Gibbons, S., Bucar, F.¶ and Bhakta, S.¶* (2011) Interaction of N-methyl-2-alkenyl-4-quinolones with ATP-dependent MurE ligase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: antibacterial activity, molecular docking and inhibition kinetics. J. Antimicrob. Chemotherapy 66(8):1766-72. (¶ equal contribution). 8. Guzman, J.D.; Gupta, A.; Evangelopoulos, D.; Basavannacharya, C.; Pabon, L.C.; Plazas, E.A.; Muñoz, D.R.; Delgado, W.A.; Cuca, L.E.; Ribon, W.; Gibbons, S. and Bhakta, S.* (2010) Anti-tubercular screening of natural products from Colombian plants: 3-5 methoxy nordomesticine, an inhibitor of MurE ligase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Antimicrob. Chemotherapy 65(10), 2101-7. 9. O'Donnell, G., Poeschl, R., Zimhony, O., Gunaratnam, M., Moreira, J.B., Neidle, S., Evangelopoulos, D., Bhakta, S., Malkinson, J.P., Boshoff, H.I., Lenaerts, A. & Gibbons, S. (2009). Bioactive pyridine-N-oxide disulfides from Allium stipitatum. J Nat Prod. 72(3), 360-5. Review Article: 1. Guzman, J.D.; Gupta, A.; Bucar, F.; Gibbons, S. and Bhakta, S. (2012) Anti-mycobacterials from natural sources: ancient times, antibiotic era and novel scaffolds. Frontiers in Bioscience 17, 1861-1881. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Natural Product Chemistry_Austria (EU) |
| Organisation | Medical University of Graz |
| Department | Pharmacognosie Graz |
| Country | Austria |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Comprehensive evaluation of the biological properties of pure natural product compounds against the whole mycobacterial cell, drug efflux mechanisms and biofilm formation as well as against the target enzymes (ATP dependent mur ligases). Generated three joint research publications, a review article and a few others in preparation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Extract, fractionate, purify, semi-synthesize natural product inhibitors against whole cell mycobacteria as well as the target enzymes for validation. |
| Impact | A multi-disciplinary international collaboration (Natural Product Chemistry & Molecular Microbiology) generated the following outputs/ outcomes: Original Research Articles: 1. Wube, A.; Guzman, J.D.; Hüfner, A.; Hochfellner, C.; Blunder, M.; Bauer, R.; Gibbons, S.; Bhakta, S. and Bucar, F. (2012) Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of N-alkyl-2-alkynyl-4-(1H)-quinolones. Molecules 17(7):8217-40. 2. Guzman. J-D.; Wube, A.; Evangelopoulos, D.; Gupta, A.; Hüfner, A.; Basavannacharya, C.; Raman, M. M.; Thomaschitz, C.; Bauer, R.; McHugh, T.D.; Nobeli, I.; Prieto, J. M.; Gibbons, S.; Bucar, F.; and Bhakta, S.* (2011) Interaction of N-methyl-2-alkenyl-4-quinolones with ATP-dependent MurE ligase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: antibacterial activity, molecular docking and inhibition kinetics. J. Antimicrob. Chemotherapy 66(8):1766-72. 3. Wube, A.; Guzman, J.D.; Hüfner, A.; Hochfellner, C.; Blunder, M.; Bauer, R.; Gibbons, S.; Bhakta, S. and Bucar, F. (2012) Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of N-alkyl-2-alkynyl-4-(1H)-quinolones. Molecules 17(7):8217-40. Review Article: Guzman, J.D.; Gupta, A.; Bucar, F.; Gibbons, S. and Bhakta, S.* (2012) Anti-mycobacterials from natural sources: ancient times, antibiotic era and novel scaffolds. Frontiers in Bioscience 17, 1861-1881. Joint Research Grant applications (successful): 1. Austrian Science Fund (FWF) 2012 - 2015 (€311K) Co-Apl [4-(1H)-Quinolone derivatives as new antibacterial drug-leads. Austrian Science Fund (FWF), EU] 2. Austrian Science Fund (FWF) 2008 - 2011 (€250K) Co-Apl [The evaluation of 4(1H)-quinolone derivatives as new anti-mycobacterial drug-leads. Austrian Science Fund (FWF): EU project P21152-B18] |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | New antituberculars with novel MoA_Durham |
| Organisation | Durham University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Comprehensive evaluation of the biological properties of pure natural product compounds against the whole mycobacterial cell, drug efflux mechanisms and biofilm formation as well as against the target enzymes (ATP dependent mur ligases, N-acetyl transferase, Oxido-reductases). Generated three joint research publications. One review article and a few other research articles are in preparation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Extract, fractionate, purify, semi-synthesize as well as design natural product inhibitors against target enzymes as well as against whole cell phenotype for validation. |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary academic research collaboration (Natural Product Chemistry, Computational Biology & Molecular Microbiology) generated original research articles and a successful small research grant. One review article is currently in preparation Original Research Articles: 1. Kottakota SK, Benton M, Evangelopoulos D, Guzman JD, Bhakta S, McHugh TD, Gray M, Groundwater PW, Marrs EC, Perry JD and Harburn JJ. (2012) Versatile routes to marine sponge metabolites through benzylidene rhodanines. Org Lett.;14(24):6310-3. 2. Kottakota, S.K.; Evangelopoulos, D.; Alnimr, A.; Bhakta, S.; McHugh, T.D.; Gray, M.; Groundwater, P.W.; Marrs, E.C.L.; Perry, J.D.; Spilling, C.D. and Harburn, J.J. (2012) Synthesis and biological evaluation of Purpurealidin E-derived marine sponge metabolites: Aplysamine-2, Aplyzanzine A, Suberedamines A,B and Anomoian A. J. Nat Prod. 75(6):1090-101. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Novel nano-particulate formulations to tackle MDR-TB_Malaysia |
| Organisation | Putra Malaysia University |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Comprehensive evaluation of biological properties of novel nano-particulate formulations against mycobacterial whole-cell, drug efflux mechanisms and biofilm inhibitions and a panel of endogenous targets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Generated novel pharmaceutical formulations for testing their anti-TB properties and investigating anti-mycobacterial modes of action. |
| Impact | an original research article and an international research grant application are currently in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Reversing antimicrobial resistance in TB |
| Organisation | King's College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Whole-cell phenotypic evaluation of novel chemical entities and target-based evaluation against recombinant proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Synthesis of novel chemical entities and their analogues. |
| Impact | Two research articles published. One patent application submitted. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Structural Biology, Birkbeck |
| Organisation | Birkbeck, University of London |
| Department | Department of Biological Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | significant intellectual input into our common research interest in cell wall peptidoglycan biosynthesis, degradation and recycling in Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Supervised three PhD Students (awarded PhDs in between 2010 and 2013) worked on structural and functional characterisation of mycobacterial proteins. Generated four original research articles and a few others are in preparation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Training and advice on setting crystallisation trials and solving X-Ray diffraction data for 3D structural elucidation of mycobacterial proteins |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary collaboration in between Structural Biology and Molecular Microbiology: Original Research Articles: 1. Basavannacharya, C., Robertson, G., Munshi, T., Keep, N.H. & Bhakta, S. (2010). ATP-dependent MurE ligase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: biochemical and structural characterisation. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 90(1), 16-24. 2. Basavannacharya, C., Moody, P. R., Munshi, T., Cronin, N., Keep, N. H. & Bhakta, S. (2010). Roles of amino acid residues essential for the enzyme activity of MurE of Mycobacterium tuberculosis identified. Protein & Cell 1(10)(accepted in press; featured as cover page article) 3. Evangelopoulos D, Cronin N, Daviter T, Sim E, Keep NH and Bhakta S. (2011) Characterization of an oxidoreductase from the arylamine N-acetyltransferase operon in Mycobacterium smegmatis. FEBS J. 278(24):4824-32. 4. Munshi, T.; Gupta, A.; Guzman, J. D.; Evangelopoulos, D.; Gibbons, S.; Keep, N.H. and Bhakta, S.* (2013) Characterisation of ATP-Dependent Mur Ligases Involved in the Biogenesis of Cell Wall Peptidoglycan in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PloS ONE 8(3): e60143. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060143 |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Substrates and analogues of cellwall-PG enzymes |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | School of Pharmacy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | assaying the activity and inhibition of substrates and substrate analogues against ATP-dependent Mur ligases and Murein peptide ligases from bacteria. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Synthesizing substrates and substrate analogues (using solid phase peptide synthesis) |
| Impact | An interdisciplinary collaboration in between synthetic chemistry and molecular microbiology. A PhD student is currently under joint supervision and generated one review article and one research article currently in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | TB Alliance (Global Alliance for TB Drug Development) |
| Organisation | The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development |
| Country | Global |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | As above |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Alliance facilitated key in-vitro assessment of ATC compounds to address specific MRC DPFS panel requests. They have assisted Deputy Chair TBD-UK in the construction of the TBD-UK Blueprint which now serves as a guide for the development of all UK research. They are working with Deputy Chair on the creation of a target product profile for the ATCs and other TB drugs. |
| Impact | As above |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | TB Drug Discovery UK (TBD-UK) |
| Organisation | University of St Andrews |
| Department | TBD-UK, Tuberculosis drug discovery consortium |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | As above |
| Collaborator Contribution | Coordinating research, identifying new research partners, addressing key research questions, developing collaborations and making policy change in the research area. |
| Impact | As above |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Traditional herbs and new antibiotic_Strathclyde |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Bioassay guided whole-cell phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of natural products (crude extracts, partially purified fractions and purified molecules). |
| Collaborator Contribution | provide natural product inhibitors (crude extracts , partially purified fractions and pure compounds) for bioassay guided evaluation against a panel of bacterial pathogens. |
| Impact | This is an interdisciplinary collaboration between traditional herbal natural products and microbiology. Generated one original research article and one article in preparation. In addition, a joint cross-council research grant application (submitted and under review). Original Research Article: 1. Zhao J, Evangelopoulos D, Bhakta S, Gray AI and Seidel V. (2014) Antitubercular activity of Arctium lappa and Tussilago farfara extracts and constituents. J Ethnopharmacol.;155(1):796-800. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | UK Coalition to Stop TB |
| Organisation | Government of the UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | New collaboration previously not undertaken by TB researchers in the past. TBD-UK Chair and Deputy Chair sit on steering group and will be advising APPG TB and other government advisory bodies and government departments on roles, needs and contributions to be made from UK TB researchers in drug discovery. |
| Impact | As above |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Workshop CSIR Nanomedicine Platform for Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
| Organisation | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Engaged as research group leader to deliver CSIR workshop under umbrella of knowledge exchange |
| Impact | Workshop to be held March 2011. Knowledge exchange |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Title | Whole cell screening of inhibitors against the growth of mycobacteria (HT-SPOTi) |
| Description | A solid culture based whole cell screening assay (HT-SPOTi; 24, 48 & 96 well format) to test libraries of inhibitors against the slow growing mycobacteria including Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | 2012 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Availability of this whole cell screening assay is highly beneficial for TB inihibitor screening purposes. A large number of academic & industrial research collaborations to be established on the basis of this facility. |
| Title | Identification and development of new ATC class of antitubercular agents |
| Description | The ATCs are a new class of anti-tubercular and the first new drug output of TBD-UK collaboration grant. In vitro activity (intra and extra cellular) have been evaluated, toxicity and selectivity evaluated and routes of metabolism identified in vitro. This work was initially funded in part from the Wellcome trust. Other available sources of funding have been utilised on a "good will and collaborative" nature. |
| Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Drug |
| Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2009 |
| Development Status | Actively seeking support |
| Impact | This has proved that the collaboration grant network can lead to real outcomes. The development of this program and recent invitation to full stage application for an MRC DPFS grant has also facilitated the construction of the TB drug discovery and development blue print which is now beign used to guide and coordinate all UK TB reserach in the UK. The development of the DPFS application has also resulted in strong links with the Global TB Alliance for Drug Development and the formation of specific TB drug target product profile (TPP). This may be used to support other outcomes from the collaboration grant. Importantly, this critical activity was not engaged collaboration grant pre-funding |
| Title | Natural product formulation - Pelargonium-derived stimulators of macrophage function |
| Description | This is a natural product based formulation that activates macrophages under bacterial infection and thus enables the reduction of infection. |
| Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Drug |
| Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2009 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | This enables a new methodology and approach to be investigated. |
| Description | "JoyHok": Bridging the gap between lab science and public health research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TB, a normally curable infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, continues to be a global health emergency while costing more human lives than any other single infectious disease. India is the leading country for active TB cases as of 2018 with an incidence figure of 2.7 million cases of TB out of a global incidence of around 10 million cases (Global Tuberculosis Report, 2019). Tuberculosis is India's biggest health issue, which has progressively worsened with the advent of multi-drug resistance. Many are not aware of the dangers of drug resistant TB which leads to increased irregularity in consumption of anti-TB medication for prescribed period of time. To worsen the situation, antibiotics are sold without prescription in the black market. This in turn has caused the rise of incidence of MDR-TB and XDR-TB in India and world-wide. Mere access to health facilities with free standard anti-TB drugs may not be enough to bring about desired success in DOTS/VOT strategy under RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program). Hence as the current scenario indicates, there is urgent need to review and deal with TB not only as a medical concern or even public health problem alone, but also as a social problem. Unless we communicate the significance of drug resistance and help dissolve fear around the disease, no matter what new antibiotic we introduce into the market for treatment, resistance will continue to rise alarmingly. Hence, we introduced an educational intervention as means of spreading awareness and effective control of disease burden. Our study concentrates on students from a low socioeconomic background whose families are disproportionately affected with disease due to factors like malnutrition, and poor living conditions - both of which make TB incidences and its transmission more likely. Targeting the youth is usually more successful in stigma dissolution and the integration of knowledge at a community level as they are naïve, unbiased and receptive. They have great potential to bring about desired change in the community. The Joi Hok! initiative serves to use creative tools like local folk-art and music to encourage children to engage, learn and discuss the issue of antibiotic resistance in the context of TB. They will take the pride to transfer this knowledge to household members which in turn could encourage patients to adhere to prescribed anti-TB medication and be self-reflective on the mis-use of the most precious discovery of this Century. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| URL | http://joihok.org/ |
| Description | Article in Microbiology Today |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Article "Tuberculosis: forgotten not gone" in Microbiology Today the House Journal of SOciety of General Microbiology which is made available to microbiologists internationally but, importantly given to schools No notable impacts |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Birkbeck School of Science Week 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Film screening and panel discussion: Tackling antibiotic resistance and the rise of superbugs at Birkbeck Cinema, 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PD Antibiotics were first mass-produced in the 1940s and their ability to fight and kill bacteria revolutionized medicine and profoundly impacted everything from agriculture to war. After less than 80 years, however, these miracle drugs are failing. Resistant infections kill hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year and there are now dozens of so-called Superbugs each with its own challenges and costs. How did this happen? Using microscopic footage, harrowing personal stories, and expert insights, Resistance clarifies the problem of antibiotic resistance, how we got to this point, and what we can do to turn the tide. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.bbk.ac.uk/science/about-us/events/science-week/ |
| Description | Evidence to the All Party Parliamentary Committee for tuberculosis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Advice was given of the importance of support for further research tuberculosis drug development Further invitations to APPGTB have been made |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011 |
| Description | Higher Education Workshop (Ealing) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Organisation of a Higher Education workshop focusing on "Extensively drug resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB): cure for today or tomorrow)". This included the publising of an article in the London Sharad Utsav 2009 brochure (5000 copies printed) Increased awareness of the issue of TB and the work of TBD-UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | I'm a Scientist: get me out of here |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Students from schools across the country were able to log on and ask questions on any particular areas of the scientists' research (or life) that they were curious about, then vote for their favourite scientists to win a prize. SB took part in the initiative to engage young people in science, and to give them a taste of the day-to-day life of a scientist. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://blogs.bbk.ac.uk/bbkcomments/2017/06/26/im-a-scientist-get-me-out-of-here/ |
| Description | Social Media Public Engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 620 people like the webpage and follow the posts, posts related to TB research and outreach activities reach about 1500 people every week. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/TBrnotTB/ |
| Description | TBD-UK Website Development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Development of the TBD-UK website to raise awareness of the research that UK TB researchers in drug discovery and developmen undertaken. Secure area also developed to enable researchers to share key articles and work. Development of strong links with other TB focused organisations (such as Stop TB, UK Coalition to Stop TB, TB Alert and the APPG. Continued increase in website visits with approx 300-400 hits per month and a 65% new hit rate. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010 |