Understanding the mechanism by which IFNa treatment leads to removal of the HCV virus from an infected cell is of interest to Associate Professor Peter White.
Discovery and Molecular Engineering of Novel Antibiotics
Using natural products as a blueprint, we are able to construct new pharmaceuticals with altered activity and specificity. In particular, the pathways for non-ribosomal peptides are being used as the basis for potential combinatorial biosyntheses. The range of possible new drugs is practically limitless.
We are applying this proprietary technology to the design and production of new antibiotics, immunosuppressants and antiviral compounds. This work is also closely linked to the search for novel microorganisms and their natural products using Australian and Chinese traditional medicines as a defined basis for bioactivity.
Other microbes and their natural products, as well as the mechanism for their production are being studied from a range of Earth’s habitats including volcanoes, Antarctica, hypersaline bays and stromatolites, uranium mines and mineral springs.
BABS personnel that are responsible for this project