Next generation inhibitors of switch region RNA polymerase

• Grant number: 18/08398-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Agreement: National Research Foundation, South Africa
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Flavio da Silva Emery
• Grantee: Flavio da Silva Emery
• Principal researcher abroad: KellyChibale
• Institution abroad: University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/21146-4 - Heterocyclic chemistry and epigenetic for the development of library of compounds for medicinal chemistry purposes., AP.R

Abstract

Based on the current shortcomings with M. tb. RNAP inhibitors, this project aims to build a collaborative TB drug discovery program, impacting human and scientific capabilities at both FCFRP/USP and H3D at University of Cape Town. Sharing critical scientific skills and capabilities between the University of Cape Town and the University of Sao Paolo will generate a well-established and fully integrated drug discovery group that provides a great training ground for early career scientists and could lead to a successful future grant application funding a robust plan to target RNAP switch region inhibitors. The research team involved in the project is multidisciplinary and will develop a series of activities including workshops, training, scientific meetings and experiments to generate one of basic expected outputs - a novel M. Tb. RNAP inhibitor. Furthermore, all activities will be critically analyzed to generate results and pave the way to a future grant application that will support the long-term collaboration expected. (AU)