How I became a scientist:- and how new medicines are

developed

Dr Rosa GualanoHonorary Research &Teaching Fellow

Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics

The University of Melbourne

My path of study

• Bachelor of Science, 1989 – 1991• Honours year in Microbiology, 1992• Research assistant, 1993• PhD research, 1994-1998• First postdoc at CSIRO, 1998 - 2001• University of Melbourne, 2001 – 2012• Medical writer and tutor, 2013 -

Some common viral infections

• Tropical infections: dengue, yellow fever• Respiratory infections: influenza, common

cold, croup, measles• Blood-borne infections: Human

Immunodeficiency Virus, hepatitis B & C• Gastrointestinal infections: Rotavirus,

norovirus

Some common viral infections

• Tropical infections: dengue, yellow fever ♦

• Respiratory infections: influenza♦ ■ , common cold, croup, measles♦

• Blood-borne infections: Human Immunodeficiency Virus■, hepatitis B & C

• Gastrointestinal infections: Rotavirus♦, norovirus

♦ = vaccine available

■ = drugs available (but with major limitations)

Influenza virus virions, ~ 200 nm diameter. Note spikes of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface proteins.Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town.

What do viruses look like?

Influenza virus virions, ~ 200 nm diameter. Note spikes of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface proteins.Linda Stannard, University of Cape Town.

Respiratory syncytial virus virions.The viral genome is complexed withthe viral structural proteins L, N & P.

What do viruses look like?

RSV 23 hr RSV 48 hr RSV 72 hr

Mock 23 hr Mock 48 hr Mock 72 hr

Replication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in human bronchial epithelial cells

R Gualano, unpublished

The ideal drug to treat infections is..• Effective and safe• Affordable• Stable• Has minimal side effects• Has a convenient dosing route & schedule• Broad spectrum• Not prone to development of resistance

The ideal drug to treat infections is..• Effective and safe• Affordable• Stable• Has minimal side effects• Has a convenient dosing route & schedule• Broad spectrum• Not prone to development of resistanceThere is enormous unmet need in HIV, TB,

respiratory infections….

Penicillium mould inhibits growth of susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

From Access ExcellenceVia Google Image.

How are new drugs developed?• Chance discovery of natural compounds

Aspirin, opiates, antibiotics• Modification of natural compounds• Targeted design, based on understanding

of the disease processTamiflu / Relenza for influenzaAnti cancer drugs directed at tumour

promoting genes

How are new drugs tested?• Cell culture

does it enter cells, is it toxic?• Small animals

is it safe, does it work?• Small, then Large scale human trials

Ethics Safety, Side effectsControl and Placebo groups

• Reporting to scientific community and government

In conclusion• A science degree is very versatile, BUT• A higher degree or additional skills are

helpful Languages, writing, IT, statistics….Learning is lifelong!

• Graduate entry courses and double degrees both have their place

• Try to do what you love, but: keep an open mind and an eye to reality.