Combating giardiasis by investigating new potent compound series as leads for improved treatments

Giardia parasites infect ~1 billion people and cause >200 million cases of giardiasis each year. They also cause significant morbidity in animals. However, current treatments are inadequate, associated with resistance and collateral microbiota impacts. This project aims to improve the treatment of giardiasis by investigating the biological and pre-clinical activity of potent new anti-Giardia compounds in animal models of infection.

Primary supervisor: A/Prof Tina Skinner-Adams

Other supervisor: Prof Katherine Andrews, Dr Snigdha Tiash

To apply: Contact A/Prof Tina Skinner-Adams with your CV at t.skinner-adams@griffith.edu.au

Identifying new compounds active against Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is a neglected parasitic disease that causes significant morbidity in pregnant and elderly women (>100 million infections each year). However, the only FDA approved therapy for this disease is associated with treatment failures and adverse effects. This project aims to develop and implement a new medium to high-throughput assay to identify and investigate new drug leads for trichomoniasis.

Primary supervisor: A/Prof Tina Skinner-Adams

Other supervisor: Prof Katherine Andrews, Dr Snigdha Tiash

To apply: Contact A/Prof Tina Skinner-Adams with your CV at t.skinner-adams@griffith.edu.au

Investigating the activity of new antimalarial drug leads

Malaria causes ~200 million clinical cases and >400,000 deaths each year. As there is no broadly effective vaccine and current drugs are becomingly less effective, there is an urgent need for new antimalarial drugs. We have recently identified a compound series with potent activity against malaria parasites. In this project you will further investigate the activity of this compound series.

Primary supervisor: A/Prof Tina Skinner-Adams

Other supervisor: Dr Gillian Fisher

To apply: Contact A/Prof Tina Skinner-Adams with your CV at t.skinner-adams@griffith.edu.au

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