Utilization of a cell-based system to screen a compound library for antifungal activity
Hsiu-Jung Lo Division of Infectious Diseases
National Health Research Institutes
Taiwan
Abstract:
Due to the increased size of populations at risk, the prevalence of fungal infections has increased dramatically in the past two decades. Hence, the limited clinically active antifungal drugs and the emerging drug resistance are major issues in managing fungal infections. Thus, developing new effective antifungal drugs as novel therapeutic alternatives to manage the infections is greatly in need. However, the eukaryotic nature of fungi reduces the number of potential antifungal drugs. To overcome such limitation, we have utilized a cell-based system to screen a compound library containing 2000 commercially available drugs, primarily Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, and natural products to find new candidates for therapeutic intervention against fungal infections. A total of 12 compounds have been selected. The efficacy of those compounds to different yeast species, especially for fluconazole resistant Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis cells are under investigation.
Keywords: cell-based, activity screening, medical compound library, antifungal drugs
