Smart science

Much can be accomplished when scientists pool their expertise. MRC News spoke to Prof. Peter Folb and Dr Niresh Bhagwandin about their latest project.

It doesn't happen often that you find researchers from ten leading science, technology and engineering institutions pulling together in a consortium. But is exactly the case with this exciting project. More than 130 researchers are pooling their brains to find new drugs and tonics from indigenous medicinal plants found in southern Africa.

The diseases they are aiming to fight are impressive: tuberculosis, malaria, and diabetes mellitus. They are also hoping to uncover drugs useful for immune modulation.

Project leaders Prof. Peter Folb and Dr Niresh Bhagwandin say new medicines are not the only targets they are after. More importantly, they are aiming to establish a national scientific biotechnology infrastructure that researchers can use as a platform for future projects.

Also, they are aiming to uncover a new source for medicines - that of traditional herbal medications used by millions of South Africans. "Research shows that the global pharmaceutical industry is developing fewer and fewer medicines, despite spending ever increasing amounts on research. In addition, they only use a limited range of compounds from which to manufacture their medications, so their use is limited. On the other hand, plant products contain many small molecules with diverse structures that can be used for many different purposes," the project leaders say.

The approach they are going to use is unique. Far from storming into natural habitats and harvesting plants indiscriminately, they are aiming for a more thoughtful method. "We are going to work with communities and cultivate the plants we find useful," Prof. Folb stresses.

The researchers have received R18 million from the Department of Science and Technology's Innovation Fund, which is about half of what they will need to complete the project. They are now embarking on a programme to raise the other half. "We will approach the pharmaceutical industry to raise the additional money only as a last resort. We want the benefits of the project to go to the indigenous communities and are going to set up partnerships that will promote equity," Dr Bhagwandin says.

Prof. Folb is quick to point out that the project doesn't promise amazing scientific breakthroughs. "It takes years to develop a new drug from concept to customer. We are investigating five to seven promising compounds identified from indigenous plants, compounds that can be fully investigated in future developments. We hope to come up with these promising leads during the next three years. The idea is that we will eventually have novel drugs that will reduce costs and treatment time," he says.

The project also aims to build South Africa's scientific capacity.

"We hope to train a new, young cadre of researchers to eventually take over the project," says Dr Bhagwandin.