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How I became a scientist: - and how new medicines are developed

How I became a scientist: - and how new medicines are developed. Dr Rosa Gualano Honorary Research &Teaching Fellow Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics The University of Melbourne. My path of study. Bachelor of Science, 1989 – 1991 Honours year in Microbiology, 1992

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How I became a scientist: - and how new medicines are developed

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  1. How I became a scientist:- and how new medicines are developed Dr Rosa Gualano Honorary Research &Teaching Fellow Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics The University of Melbourne

  2. My path of study • Bachelor of Science, 1989 – 1991 • Honours year in Microbiology, 1992 • Research assistant, 1993 • PhD research, 1994-1998 • First postdoc at CSIRO, 1998 - 2001 • University of Melbourne, 2001 – 2012 • Medical writer and tutor, 2013 -

  3. Some common viral infections • Tropical infections: dengue, yellow fever • Respiratory infections: influenza, common cold, croup, measles • Blood-borne infections: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, hepatitis B & C • Gastrointestinal infections: Rotavirus, norovirus

  4. Some common viral infections • Tropical infections: dengue, yellow fever ♦ • Respiratory infections: influenza♦ ■, common cold, croup, measles♦ • Blood-borne infections: Human Immunodeficiency Virus■, hepatitis B & C • Gastrointestinal infections: Rotavirus♦, norovirus • ♦ = vaccine available • ■ = drugs available (but with major limitations)

  5. What do viruses look like? Influenza virus virions, ~ 200 nm diameter. Note spikes of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface proteins. Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town.

  6. What do viruses look like? Influenza virus virions, ~ 200 nm diameter. Note spikes of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface proteins. Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town. Respiratory syncytial virus virions. The viral genome is complexed with the viral structural proteins L, N & P.

  7. Replication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in human bronchial epithelial cells Mock 23 hr Mock 48 hr Mock 72 hr RSV 23 hr RSV 48 hr RSV 72 hr R Gualano, unpublished

  8. The ideal drug to treat infections is.. • Effective and safe • Affordable • Stable • Has minimal side effects • Has a convenient dosing route & schedule • Broad spectrum • Not prone to development of resistance

  9. The ideal drug to treat infections is.. • Effective and safe • Affordable • Stable • Has minimal side effects • Has a convenient dosing route & schedule • Broad spectrum • Not prone to development of resistance • There is enormous unmet need in HIV, TB, respiratory infections….

  10. From Access • Excellence • Via Google Image. • Penicillium mould inhibits growth of susceptible strains of • Staphylococcus aureus.

  11. How are new drugs developed? • Chance discovery of natural compounds • Aspirin, opiates, antibiotics • Modification of natural compounds • Targeted design, based on understanding of the disease process • Tamiflu / Relenza for influenza • Anti cancer drugs directed at tumour promoting genes

  12. How are new drugs tested? • Cell culture • does it enter cells, is it toxic? • Small animals • is it safe, does it work? • Small, then Large scale human trials • Ethics • Safety, Side effects • Control and Placebo groups • Reporting to scientific community and government

  13. In conclusion • A science degree is very versatile, BUT • A higher degree or additional skills are helpful • Languages, writing, IT, statistics…. • Learning is lifelong! • Graduate entry courses and double degrees both have their place • Try to do what you love, but: • keep an open mind and an eye to reality.

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