Drugs and Vaccines
At the Department of Microbiology & Biochemistry, drug and vaccine development focuses on infections and diseases affecting humans, animals and plants.
DRUG DEVELOPMENT/DISCOVERY
Structure-guided drug design utilises the three-dimensional structures of proteins for the discovery of new drugs. We are studying enzymes in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway of priority fungal pathogens to develop novel antifungal treatments. X-ray crystallography is used to determine the structure of proteins, which forms the basis of rational drug discovery methods for developing compounds. Biochemical assays are used to evaluate the potency of the compounds and triage them for further experiments to test their antifungal potential.
Hormones play important regulatory and signalling roles. Glycoprotein hormones, such as equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), are widely used in animal breeding to enhance reproductive success. Currently, commercially available hormones are derived from animals, which carries potential risks, leads to supply shortages, and raises ethical concerns. We are therefore focused on the recombinant production of glycoprotein hormones.
ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES AND PROBIOTIC BACTERIA
Research is focused on the discovery, development, and mode of action of novel antimicrobial peptides, as well as the molecular elucidation of the beneficial properties of probiotic bacteria for potential applications in the agricultural and medical fields. A multidisciplinary approach is employed to identify, characterise, and produce new and more effective antimicrobial peptides and probiotics by combining bioinformatics, bioprospecting, synthetic and molecular biology techniques. Current research activities include:
- The development of heterologous protein expression systems to improve the production of post-translationally modified cationic peptides. These systems are currently being used to produce novel lanthipeptides identified through next-generation sequence data. Lanthipeptides are natural compounds produced by bacteria that can kill or inhibit harmful microbes, including antibiotic-resistant and pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium spp.
- Exploring the potential of lanthipeptides in treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
- Investigating the potential of safe and beneficial probiotic strains as platforms for next-generation probiotic vaccine development and as plant growth promoters in agriculture.
HUMAN VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
Rotavirus causes severe, dehydrating diarrhoea, which can be fatal, especially in resource-poor settings. To contribute to improved child health in the Sub-Saharan African region, next-generation rotavirus vaccines are being developed.
Non-replicating vaccines cannot replicate in the host. Research focuses on the production of virus-like particles in yeast, as well as the expression of immunogenic proteins in both yeast and bacteria.
Reassortant rotaviruses can be engineered using reverse genetics. Such engineered viruses can be used as vaccine candidates that match circulating field strains for improved protection.