Overview
The Van Voorhis lab uses emerging knowledge about the genomes of parasitic diseases to aid in rational drug discovery.
The lab is also involved in discovering the molecular targets of cell-active compounds that are potential drugs. They have discovered promising anti-parasitic compounds, based on enzymatic targets from the genomes of these parasites, that show great promise as drug leads.
Some of the most promising compounds are inhibitors that block kinases necessary for parasite growth. The group uses structure based drug discovery, in collaboration with X-ray crystallographers, chemists, and pharmacokinetic and toxicology information from the laboratory, to optimize compounds to become drug candidates for clinical development.
Principal investigator
Diseases we study
- Acanthamoeba
- Balamuthia
- Besnoitiosis
- Chagas Disease
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Cystoisosporiasis
- Enteritis
- Gonorrhea
- Malaria
- Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Naegleria
- Neosporosis
- Prostate Cancer
- Toxoplasmosis
Neglected Parasite Initiative
The Neglected Parasite Initiative (NPI) is a nonprofit organization working to bring greater attention to cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic diarrheal disease that disproportionately affects malnourished young children in low-resource countries. Cryptosporidiosis causes 200,000 child deaths a year, and leads to poor neurologic development and stunting for millions. Despite its serious impact on child health, the disease remains underfunded and overlooked, with limited treatment options available. Led by Executive Director Wesley C. Van Voorhis, MD, PhD, alongside Research Group Leader Kayode K. Ojo, PhD, and Program Director Timothy Rapuano, MS, NPI works to address this gap by raising awareness, supporting research and development of new treatments and vaccines, and bringing together scientists, healthcare and public health professionals, and global health organizations to drive progress. The initiative also advocates for greater international recognition of cryptosporidiosis as a neglected tropical disease by the WHO, which will attract additional attention, funding and research investments. Through these efforts, NPI aims to make Cryptosporidiosis a global health priority and improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment options for children affected by it worldwide. Please donate to NPI now.