Scientists Against Malaria (SAM) was formed by Douglas Connect from the InnovationWell Neglected Diseases Collaboration Pool as a virtual drug discovery organization to collaborate on the design of kinase inhibitors against the Plasmodium falciparum malarial parasite.

Within the FP7 SYNERGY project Douglas Connect initiated two collaborative research project pilots in 2010: one in Drug Design and one in Predictive Toxicology. The work was carried out by a range of individual organisations from industry and academia located in several countries ie. they formed a Virtual Organisation (VO). Services supporting the collaborative work were tested during the pilots.

The pilot aimed to demonstrate the capability of collaborating scientists working effectively together as a virtual pharmaceutical discovery organisation with robust infrastructure. The application of advanced modelling and design methods allowed them to more intelligently screen for new inhibitors.

The work is being extended through the development of further community activities and the development of new collaborative projects. If interested in an involvement, whether joining an existing activity, or teaming up on a new proposal, please contact us to discuss further.

The malaria parasite requires specific human and mosquito tissues to complete its life cycle. Once inside a human, the parasite develops and multiplies, causing periodic bouts of flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and chills. The developing parasites destroy red blood cells, which may cause death by severe anemia as well as by the clogging of capillaries that supply the brain or other vital organs with blood.

The deadliest of the four species of the parasite is Plasmodium falciparum, a species most likely to be transmitted by the mosquito Anopheles gambiae.