Creative Biolabs has extensive experience to offer numerous antifungal drug discovery services for therapeutic applications. During the past years, we have successfully established advanced technology platforms which enable us to provide high-quality target screening and identification service using multiple approaches. Now, we are capable to exploit a new drug candidate for the treatment of Aspergillus Niger (A. Niger) infection.
Introduction of A. Niger
A. Niger is a member of the genus Aspergillus which includes a set of fungi. It is an asexual saprophytic fungus that produces its spores on an asexual structure called the conidium. As a very thermotolerant fungus that can thrive in freezing conditions and very hot weather, A. Niger is usually found on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, and other decaying vegetation. The primary uses of A. Niger are for the production of enzymes and organic acids by fermentation. A. Niger is also used to produce organic acids such as citric acid and gluconic acid. However, studies have shown that A. Niger could affect plants, small animals, and human by causing economic loss in farming communities as well as severe infections, and even death.
Pathogenesis of A. Niger
A. Niger contains several toxins, some harmless and others harmful. The main toxins it contains are malformin C, and ochratoxin A. Aspergillus spores are almost everywhere we go. Fortunately, most people can handle the inhalation of a moderate amount of A. Niger spores. However, people with weak immune systems, such as who suffer from leukemia, HIV or AIDS, severe fungal allergies and other immune deficiencies, could become very sick to the intake of A. Niger spores. Once these toxins inhaled by humans, most commonly people who work around plants or peat, a lung disease called aspergillosis or even death could be caused.
Fig.1 Morphology of A. Niger: Two weeks old colonies growing on minimal media (left) and microscopic picture of a conidiophore, the structure producing asexual spores (right). (Svanström, 2013)
Antifungal Drugs against A. Niger
Antifungal drugs work by recognizing differences between human cells and fungal cells and kill the fungal organism or fungi without affecting the human body. During the past years, numerous antifungal drugs have been developed aim to target different targets. However, a study reported that 33% of Aspergillus niger isolates developed resistance to existing drugs. What's more, cross-resistance has been noted but is unusual. Therefore, it is urgent to discover more antifungal drugs that are specific for the treatment of A. Niger infection.
Features of our Services
Aided by our wealth of experience and experienced scientists, Creative Biolabs is confident in offering high-quality and comprehensive antifungal drug discovery service for global customers, which including but not limited to target identification and validation, hit identification, and hit to lead. We will try our best to meet every client’s specific requirements. Moreover, the services we provided are characterized by:
Except for A. Niger, we also provide antifungal drug discovery services against other pathogens that can also cause human infections, which including but not limited to A. Fumigates, A. Flavus, A. Terreus, and A. Nidulans. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us.
Reference
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