Cellular and molecular biologists at CWHM design and execute efficient state-of-the-art in vitro and ex vivo biological assays to measure the activities of drug targets.  The data is used to guide medicinal chemists in making improvements in compound potency, selectivity, and pharmacology. The group also develops biomarker assays to establish pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships for drugs administered to animal disease models, and ultimately in patients.

The group applies expertise in a wide range of cellular and biochemical technologies. Of special relevance for malaria research, CWHM scientists routinely measure activities of compounds on Plasmodium parasite growth in human erythrocytes in vitro. Potential for drug resistance and synergy with standard treatment agents can also be explored.

The group’s work is further aided by resources from various Saint Louis University departments and core facilities which provide flow cytometry and cell sorting, microscopy services (including confocal and electron microscopy), recombinant protein production and purification, X-ray crystallography, microarray gene expression profiling, and proteomics.  CWHM can easily access the expertise of local university investigators who perform research with a range of pathogens and orphan diseases.