By Bennet Varghese
Faculty mentor: Dr. Swati Agrawal
9:00-9:50am, HCC 328
Leishmania is a parasite that causes Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease that has many forms and potentially deadly symptoms. Methotrexate(MTX) is a drug that has been highly effective at treating and stopping Malaria infection by inhibiting the DHFR enzyme in the folate pathway. Since MTX was effective against protozoan parasites like Plasmodium Faclicparum, MTX was used to treat Leishmania however it proved to be inhibited. To explain this it was discovered that Leishmania has a redundant folate pathway, PTR1 which has structural differences from DHFR which causes MTX inhibition. In order for students to better understand the scientific method and tools that scientists use to answer questions, a case study was developed to educate and engage students. Case studies have been proven to be effective educational tools to enhance the learning experience and increase student engagement and retention. Using the biomodeling tools, augmented reality, and gene sequencing, students will be able to know structural differences between PTR1 and DHFR as well as how to treat Leishmaniasis and inhibit Leishmania growth by inhibiting PTR1.
