Name: Janine Aucamp
Affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Position: Researcher
Term: August 2024 – November 2024
Host researcher: Associate Prof. Keisuke Suganuma (English /Japanese)
Circumstances of application:
My research group has been collaborating with the NRCPD for antitrypanosomal drug screening since 2022. I applied for the NRCPD position in order to further support this collaboration and to contribute to the optimisation of screening methodologies at both universities.
Research activity in NRCPD:
A total of 121 novel compounds were screened for in vitro activity against five Trypanosoma species that cause human and animal trypanosomiases. Only 46 compounds were identified with significant antitrypanosomal activity and good safety profiles. However, the majority of these compounds have solubility issues that may affect their efficacy against in vivo infection. To assist in identifying compounds with bioavailability issues that may potentially prevent their efficacy in vivo, an in vitro co-culture permeability assay was developed. The assay accurately reflected the published effective in vivo concentrations of four reference antimicrobial drugs. Furthermore, subsequent testing of nine novel active compounds identified only two compounds with potential for in vivo efficacy.
Future prospects:
I aim to further optimise the new assay method and apply it to the screening of other infectious pathogens. I will also continue to participate in the existing collaboration between the NRCPD and Pharmacen by contributing to the biological screening of novel treatments between the universities.