Drug Evaluation and Discovery Unit
About Specialized Unit
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The drug evaluation and discovery unit at Thoeodr Bilharz Research Institute has been assigned by the WHO/ African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI) as the Excellence Center on antitrematodal R&D based on the profound internationally and nationally sponsored projects accomplished and the research outcomes published in highly ranked international scientific journals. Research work on trematodal infections specifically schistosomiasis has been running at the Pharmacology Department and the unit since 1980, research staff possesses the necessary skills to conduct the work, where they cover diverse scientific backgrounds: Medicine, Pharmacy, and Science. The unit is also concerned with the evaluation of newly introduced compounds/drugs as well as the achievement of lead compounds for the treatment of hepato-gastrointestinal, kidney, and neglected parasitic diseases specifically those of trematodal diseases. The Anti-trematodal R&D excellence research unit possesses a suitable infrastructure with essential facilities and access to biological material, including experimental animals schistosome material, and vector snails. The center is capable of conducting screens for antischistosomal/ antitrematodal potential of natural and synthetic preparations involving, in vitro and in vivo experimentation coupled with bioavailability studies. Also, epidemiological field surveys in collaboration with the public health department, parasitology, and hepatogastroentrology departments for assessment of antitrematodal potency. The unit is collaborating with most research departments at TBRI availing complimentary research essential for drug evaluation.
Mission
Evaluate current and newly introduced drugs to judge which are the most effective, with the lowest cost and minimal side effects. Also, find new lead health products, specifically those addressing neglected parasitic diseases “diseases of the poor” made from native plants or plant/synthetic preparations.
Vision
Spearhead biomedical research to achieve lead health products for treatment of neglected parasitic diseases specifically trematodal infections. Also, evaluation of newly introduced drugs against local trematodal parasite strains/species in experimental and human infections.
Equipment and facilities
Two laminar flow hoods, two CO2 incubators, a cooling centrifuge, peristaltic pumping machines, inverted and stereo microscopes, electronic balances, water baths, research binocular microscopes, spectrophotometers, an autoclave, a cooling centrifuge, a liquid nitrogen container, a sonicator, vertical deep freezers (-30 °C), a plethysmometer, a hot-cold plate, and HPLC.
Skills
Assessment of Antischistosomal Potential:
- Primary screening using in vitro schistosome worm killing.
- Assessment of product potency in vitro (LC50 estimation).
- In vivo evaluation of antischistosomal and antifascioliasis activities using parasitological criteria of cure.
Evaluation of Product Activity:
- Experimental animal studies to assess drug activity.
- In vitro scanning and transmission electron microscopy of product-treated parasites.
- In vitro and in vivo assays for essential parasite enzymes: cysteine proteinase, metalloproteinase, and serine inhibition.
- Conventional acute and chronic toxicity studies for promising products.
- Field surveys to assess antischistosomal potency.
Acute and Chronic Toxicity Studies:
- Experimental animal studies to assess drug safety and toxicity.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays using primary isolated hepatocytes and cell lines.
- Evaluation of antifibrotic potential of compounds/drugs both in vitro and in vivo.
Assessment of Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activity:
- The unit offers technical training and consultation services for academia and industry.
R& D Potentiality
Contacts
Name : Prof. Sanaa Botros
- sanaabotros113@gmail.com