Chief Investigator:

Dr Kate Wegener

Funding Amount:

$74,411

Recipient:

University of Adelaide

Overview:

Over 200 000 children die each year from tuberculosis (TB), a likely underestimate due to difficulties in diagnosis. Multi drug-resistant (MDR)-TB exacerbates the problem, with over 1000 new cases each year in our neighbour PNG alone. To achieve the WHO goal of zero TB deaths in children we urgently require new medicines. We have identified a promising new target for TB drug development, with importance for both active and latent TB, and no existing resistance mechanisms. Using structure-guided drug design we will develop potent inhibitors of this target as lead compounds for TB treatment.