4th May 2016
Moleculomics identifies novel host-pathogen interaction drug targets
Moleculomics, a company who specialises in high-throughput prediction of molecular interactions using cutting-edge in silico modelling and screening tools, has recently completed a project funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE). It focuses on the identification of host-pathogen interactions which can be manipulated in order to devise novel therapies to meet the UK’s current and future defence and security needs.
The CDE competition was designed to develop innovative therapies with broad activity against diverse microbial (bacterial and viral) challenges; specifically to combat the pathogenicity resulting from inhalational exposure, followed by persistent intracellular infection which is resistant to antibiotics. Dstl’s Dr Jon David commented: “As our knowledge of cellular interactions that underpin and control host responses increases, the potential for identifying new cellular targets or pathways for manipulation with new candidate therapies becomes enhanced.”
This novel approach aids the development of such therapies and acts as the starting point for the targeting of the interfacial regions of host proteins for potential modulation of host innate immune responses after a high-threat microbial challenge. This systematic approach is applicable to both new and already known cellular or host pathway targets, and is achieved using the latest computational frameworks to produce a platform technology for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other organisations involved in the development of new antibacterial therapies.
As a company which has developed core capabilities in small molecule – protein interactions, this project represents the first commercial application of such a Protein-Protein Interaction predictive tool. Dr Jonathan Mullins, Moleculomics CEO commented: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this project which has not only delivered on the objectives for Dstl, but has also resulted in a panel of 1120 proteins of the innate immune system which we are now able to offer as a commercial service for high throughput screening aiding the development of therapies to target host-pathogen interactions.”