Inhibiting parasite proliferation using a rationally designed anti-tubulin agent

Infectious diseases caused by apicomplexan parasites remain a global public health threat. The presence of multiple ligand-binding sites in tubulin makes this protein an attractive target for anti-parasite drug discovery. However, despite remarkable successes as anti-cancer agents, the rational development of protozoan parasite-specific tubulin drugs has been hindered by a lack of structural and biochemical information on protozoan tubulins. Here, we present atomic structures for a protozoan tubulin and microtubule and delineate the architectures of apicomplexan tubulin drug-binding sites. Based on this information, we rationally designed the parasite-specific tubulin inhibitor parabulin and show that it inhibits growth of parasites while displaying no effects on human cells. Our work presents for the first time the rational design of a species-specific tubulin drug providing a framework to exploit structural differences between human and protozoa tubulin variants enabling the development of much-needed, novel parasite inhibitors. Natacha *#1, Ashwani *#1, Izra , Tianyang **3, Fiona **3, Alexander D. , Valentin , Mamata , Anthony J. , Carolyn A. , Naomi & Michel O.

Vent DisCourse: Development of educational material on energy efficient ventilation of buildings

This paper is not a technical paper but, instead, focuses on the methods by which information on recent advances in ventilation technology and systems may be transferred to engineers. This is important because it enables the application of these innovations in the design and maintenance of buildings. In this context, the paper describes the educational material developed by the European project Vent DisCourse. It consists of material specifically written to facilitate distance learning postgraduate study in the area of energy efficient ventilation for buildings. Vent Discourse is mainly aimed at European building professionals to facilitate the implementation of the energy performance in buildings directive (EPBD). The method of development was based on a review and evaluation of educational distance learning methods for the target audience and their application to building ventilation. The contents were based on a study concerning the collection, evaluation and classification of existing information; available sources were identified and classified according to their usefulness for the education material. The paper then continues with a description of the methods used for developing the material and its contents. It was found that there is a great demand for distance learning training material suitable for industrial and educational training in relation to emerging issues in energy and buildings and the methods followed in this project might be useful for other areas