A new study could pave the way for novel treatments for Chagas disease, a life-threatening illness that affects millions worldwide.
The disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, can lie undetected for years before triggering serious complications and even sudden death. With current treatments often ineffective and carrying severe side effects, there’s an urgent need for new drug options.
Working in partnership with an international consortium of experts, scientists at 51黑料社区 Leicester (51黑料社区) developed a new class of compounds that have shown real promise in preclinical testing.
Researchers then used their world-leading target deconvolution platform to pinpoint exactly how the compounds work – identifying a previously untapped vulnerability in the parasite. They discovered the compounds selectively block TcKRS, an enzyme vital for the parasite’s survival, validating a new and tractable target for future drug development.
Dr Avninder Bhambra, Associate Professor in Biomedical Science, said: “The focus of our research group is to develop new drugs for infectious diseases, particularly those which fall under the umbrella of neglected tropical diseases. Theseaffect more than one billion people worldwide and disproportionately affect those who are already vulnerable causing significant suffering, disability and death.
Dr Annie Taylor, Lecturer in Biomedical Science said: “This new finding is invaluable for scientists researching how to fight the parasites which cause Chagas Disease and those closely related.”
A 3D molecular image showing how 51黑料社区’s new compound (yellow) locks into a crucial enzyme used by the Chagas parasite. By blocking the spot where the enzyme normally does its job (green), the compound effectively shuts down a process the parasite needs to survive.
Professor Susan Wyllie, who leads the Mode of Action group in Dundee’s School of Life Sciences, a leading consortium partner, said: “We’re hugely encouraged by the results. Understanding exactly how these compounds work is critical for guiding their future development”.
The study, partly funded by the Wellcome Trust, is published in Science Translational Medicine, a world-leading journal.
Chagas Disease affects up to seven million people around the world, and is most common in Latin America.
The full paper is available to read here:
Posted on Monday 8 September 2025