Richmond Adusei Owusu, 2009, Chemistry

Richmond Adusei Owusu ’09

My research started with the synthesis and chemical analysis of various analogs of phenyldiketoacids (PKBAs).  Upon successful synthesis and characterization, I submit the compounds to collaborators at the Texas A&M University for testing of the inhibitory activity of the compounds in malate synthase enzyme and M. tuberculosis whole-cell assays. Compounds showing high inhibition of the malate synthase in both assays will be further tested in animal models. The goal is to make appropriate modifications to the parent compound in order to increase its inhibitory activity against the enzyme. The finding if a highly potent analog will ultimately lead to the filing for patent rights to the compound and an ultimate development of the compound into a new drug for tuberculosis. This research should be useful in helping solve the current problem of increasing tuberculosis that the world faces. In a broad scientific perspective, the research will also contribute enormously to the understanding of disease-causing microorganism, their mechanism of persistence and adaptations that ultimately help these pathogens develop resistance to medications. Such an understanding will help combat microorganism resistance to antibiotics and pave a way for a breakthrough against pathogenic diseases.