Hannah Cole

• CDT Doctoral Researcher Supervisor: Prof Steven Cobb
• Email: hannah.m.cole@durham.ac.uk
• Project Title: Identification of new molecular targets for NTDs

Institution: Durham University

Project summary: Leishmaniasis effects over 12 million people worldwide and over 1 billion people living in endemic areas are at risk of contracting the disease. In 2010 the World Health Organisation created the goal that by 2030 for visceral leishmaniasis to be eradicated in 85% of endemic countries and 95% of any reported cutaneous leishmaniasis cases to be treated. Despite the 2030 targets only two drugs have FDA approval for leishmaniasis and are accompanied with high costs and painful side-effects. To achieve these aims new chemotherapies are needed to provide accessible, affordable and effective treatment. 

Perera et al identified 4-benzene sulfonyl 2,3,5,6 tetrafluoropyridine as an antiparasitic compound displaying activity and selectivity for L. mexicana axenic amastigotes. My project expands upon this work by generating compound libraries based on this core structure and conducting phenotypic assays to assess compound activity and selectivity.

Interesting fact: I've cycled to 7 out of 8 UK mainland compass points.