Latest news with #Bashiri
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
University Of Auckland's Key Role In Global Fight To Tackle TB
Press Release – University of Auckland A tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery project led by academics from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland is the first from the University to be selected for a prestigious Japanese public-private partnership (PPP) investment to fight infectious diseases, such as malaria, TB, and neglected tropical diseases. The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund recently announced its latest JPY 1.4 billion (USD 10.1 million) investment focused on five R&D projects for the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs for TB and malaria. TB remains one of the world's most devastating infectious diseases, affecting over 10 million people and causing more than 1.2 million deaths annually. In poorer countries, over 3 million people go undiagnosed each year due to the lack of suitable, accessible diagnostic tools—particularly at the point of first contact with the healthcare system. TB continues to occur in New Zealand with approximately 300 cases diagnosed each year. Of the five projects, Harnessing genome mining for novel tuberculosis antibiotics will be led by Associate Professor Ghader Bashiri, from the School of Biological Sciences in the University's Faculty of Science. Associate Professor Bashiri and his team, alongside Professor Ikuro Abe at the University of Tokyo and Dr Matthew McNeil from the University of Otago, aim to research new drugs to tackle TB by identifying cryptic secondary metabolites that specifically target essential metabolic pathways in the bacterium that causes TB. Secondary metabolites are small molecules that confer a survival advantage to the producing organisms and often exhibit diverse biological properties, such as antimicrobial activity. Associate Professor Bashiri says he is looking forward to the project over the next two years. 'It is an honour and privilege to be part of this project. TB remains the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Early identification and testing of specific secondary metabolites against our targets using human infection models will provide critical insights into their efficacy and potential as new treatments for TB.' 'While this project focuses on the development of new TB treatments, it has potential spillover effects on malaria, offering new opportunities for developing effective treatments against some of the world's deadliest diseases.' Despite significant advances, developing new antibiotics for TB remains a major challenge as drugs often have limited effect against the infection and serious side effects. Development of drug resistance is a major issue. To overcome this, the project team will (a) identify secondary metabolites that specifically target key metabolic pathways in TB, and (b) test these metabolites against target proteins, bacterial cultures, and infections models to assess their effects on bacterial growth and pathogenesis. This approach offers a unique target for developing safe treatments with new mechanisms of action against TB, with the promise of identifying new generations of antibiotics against TB that can overcome the limitations of existing treatments, such as resistance, side effects, and challenges maintaining patient engagement with treatment. The project team already has established expertise and drug development experience for TB, which will be instrumental in advancing subsequent research and development phases. Long-term, the goal is to create safer and more effective treatment options for TB patients worldwide. The GHIT fund was identified as a pathway to funding for our TB drug pipeline by the UniServices Strategic Growth team who, with the assistance of NZTE Japan, built a relationship with the funder over the past couple of years. This helped to understand GHIT's funding priorities and help the researchers to align their project for a successful application.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
University Of Auckland's Key Role In Global Fight To Tackle TB
Press Release – University of Auckland The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund recently announced its latest JPY 1.4 billion (USD 10.1 million) investment focused on five R&D projects for the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs for TB and malaria. A tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery project led by academics from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland is the first from the University to be selected for a prestigious Japanese public-private partnership (PPP) investment to fight infectious diseases, such as malaria, TB, and neglected tropical diseases. The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund recently announced its latest JPY 1.4 billion (USD 10.1 million) investment focused on five R&D projects for the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs for TB and malaria. TB remains one of the world's most devastating infectious diseases, affecting over 10 million people and causing more than 1.2 million deaths annually. In poorer countries, over 3 million people go undiagnosed each year due to the lack of suitable, accessible diagnostic tools—particularly at the point of first contact with the healthcare system. TB continues to occur in New Zealand with approximately 300 cases diagnosed each year. Of the five projects, Harnessing genome mining for novel tuberculosis antibiotics will be led by Associate Professor Ghader Bashiri, from the School of Biological Sciences in the University's Faculty of Science. Associate Professor Bashiri and his team, alongside Professor Ikuro Abe at the University of Tokyo and Dr Matthew McNeil from the University of Otago, aim to research new drugs to tackle TB by identifying cryptic secondary metabolites that specifically target essential metabolic pathways in the bacterium that causes TB. Secondary metabolites are small molecules that confer a survival advantage to the producing organisms and often exhibit diverse biological properties, such as antimicrobial activity. Associate Professor Bashiri says he is looking forward to the project over the next two years. 'It is an honour and privilege to be part of this project. TB remains the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Early identification and testing of specific secondary metabolites against our targets using human infection models will provide critical insights into their efficacy and potential as new treatments for TB.' 'While this project focuses on the development of new TB treatments, it has potential spillover effects on malaria, offering new opportunities for developing effective treatments against some of the world's deadliest diseases.' Despite significant advances, developing new antibiotics for TB remains a major challenge as drugs often have limited effect against the infection and serious side effects. Development of drug resistance is a major issue. To overcome this, the project team will (a) identify secondary metabolites that specifically target key metabolic pathways in TB, and (b) test these metabolites against target proteins, bacterial cultures, and infections models to assess their effects on bacterial growth and pathogenesis. This approach offers a unique target for developing safe treatments with new mechanisms of action against TB, with the promise of identifying new generations of antibiotics against TB that can overcome the limitations of existing treatments, such as resistance, side effects, and challenges maintaining patient engagement with treatment. The project team already has established expertise and drug development experience for TB, which will be instrumental in advancing subsequent research and development phases. Long-term, the goal is to create safer and more effective treatment options for TB patients worldwide. The GHIT fund was identified as a pathway to funding for our TB drug pipeline by the UniServices Strategic Growth team who, with the assistance of NZTE Japan, built a relationship with the funder over the past couple of years. This helped to understand GHIT's funding priorities and help the researchers to align their project for a successful application.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
University Of Auckland's Key Role In Global Fight To Tackle TB
A tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery project led by academics from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland is the first from the University to be selected for a prestigious Japanese public-private partnership (PPP) investment to fight infectious diseases, such as malaria, TB, and neglected tropical diseases. The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund recently announced its latest JPY 1.4 billion (USD 10.1 million) investment focused on five R&D projects for the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs for TB and malaria. TB remains one of the world's most devastating infectious diseases, affecting over 10 million people and causing more than 1.2 million deaths annually. In poorer countries, over 3 million people go undiagnosed each year due to the lack of suitable, accessible diagnostic tools—particularly at the point of first contact with the healthcare system. TB continues to occur in New Zealand with approximately 300 cases diagnosed each year. Of the five projects, Harnessing genome mining for novel tuberculosis antibiotics will be led by Associate Professor Ghader Bashiri, from the School of Biological Sciences in the University's Faculty of Science. Associate Professor Bashiri and his team, alongside Professor Ikuro Abe at the University of Tokyo and Dr Matthew McNeil from the University of Otago, aim to research new drugs to tackle TB by identifying cryptic secondary metabolites that specifically target essential metabolic pathways in the bacterium that causes TB. Secondary metabolites are small molecules that confer a survival advantage to the producing organisms and often exhibit diverse biological properties, such as antimicrobial activity. Associate Professor Bashiri says he is looking forward to the project over the next two years. 'It is an honour and privilege to be part of this project. TB remains the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Early identification and testing of specific secondary metabolites against our targets using human infection models will provide critical insights into their efficacy and potential as new treatments for TB.' 'While this project focuses on the development of new TB treatments, it has potential spillover effects on malaria, offering new opportunities for developing effective treatments against some of the world's deadliest diseases.' Despite significant advances, developing new antibiotics for TB remains a major challenge as drugs often have limited effect against the infection and serious side effects. Development of drug resistance is a major issue. To overcome this, the project team will (a) identify secondary metabolites that specifically target key metabolic pathways in TB, and (b) test these metabolites against target proteins, bacterial cultures, and infections models to assess their effects on bacterial growth and pathogenesis. This approach offers a unique target for developing safe treatments with new mechanisms of action against TB, with the promise of identifying new generations of antibiotics against TB that can overcome the limitations of existing treatments, such as resistance, side effects, and challenges maintaining patient engagement with treatment. The project team already has established expertise and drug development experience for TB, which will be instrumental in advancing subsequent research and development phases. Long-term, the goal is to create safer and more effective treatment options for TB patients worldwide. The GHIT fund was identified as a pathway to funding for our TB drug pipeline by the UniServices Strategic Growth team who, with the assistance of NZTE Japan, built a relationship with the funder over the past couple of years. This helped to understand GHIT's funding priorities and help the researchers to align their project for a successful application.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeologists stunned by one of Britain's biggest Iron Age hoards which could rewrite history
It began, as many great discoveries do, with a metal detectorist and a lucky beep. In December 2021, Peter Heads stumbled upon what would turn out to be one of the largest and most significant Iron Age finds ever made in Britain: the Melsonby Hoard. Now, after meticulous excavation and research, archaeologists have unveiled a collection of more than 800 objects found by Heads near the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire, England. The exact location is being kept secret. "Quite simply, this is one of the most important and exciting Iron Age period discoveries made in the UK. It sheds new light on Iron Age life in the north and Britain, but it also demonstrates connections with Europe," says Duncan Wilson, the Chief Executive of Historic England. Related Archaeologists discover oldest section of China's Great Wall, dating back nearly 3,000 years The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open Described by experts as an 'archaeological time capsule,' the hoard is thought to have been buried in the first century AD, coinciding with the Roman conquest of southern Britain. Among the finds are the partial remains of at least seven four-wheeled wagons and two-wheeled chariots, an unusual discovery for Iron Age Britain. The harnesses, some complete with Mediterranean coral and coloured glass, suggest an elite class whose wealth and status were communicated through opulent transport and elaborate rituals. According to Dr Sophia Adams, a curator at the British Museum: 'This is the largest single deposit of horse harness and vehicle parts excavated in Britain. It is significant not just for the quantity of objects buried together 2,000 years ago but also the quality and range of items." Also discovered in the find were three ceremonial spears, carefully wrapped together in a bundle, as well as 28 iron tyres and two ornate cauldrons or vessels. One of these, a lidded vessel, was likely used as a wine-mixing bowl and had been deliberately buried at the bottom of a large ditch. Other items include cast copper alloy bridle bits, linchpins and rein rings. But it's not just the number of objects that has amazed researchers - it is their condition. Many were deliberately broken or burned before burial, a ritual that raises intriguing questions about Iron Age society. Was this an ostentatious display of power? A funerary rite? Or an offering to the gods? The find has also reignited debate over Britain's connections to continental Europe before the Roman conquest. While some objects match those previously unearthed in Britain, others have clear European parallels, hinting at extensive trade networks and shared technologies. Valued at £254,000 (€304,000), the Melsonby Hoard is the focus of a new fundraising campaign by the Yorkshire Museum in York, aiming to make it available for public viewing.
Euronews
25-03-2025
- Science
- Euronews
The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open
ADVERTISEMENT A mummy, known as the 'Untouchable,' was discovered nearly a century ago in the Valley of the Kings region of the ancient city of Luxor. Renowned Egyptologist Howard Carter made the discovery in 1919, three years before he found the magnificent tomb of Tutankhamun . The method used to tie the embalming cloths of this ancient corpse has not been used on any other mummy. The wrapping of the fabrics has created an intricate pattern on the mummy's face which resembles the architectural design of Egypt's famous pyramids. The amount of precision and finesse in the mummy's packaging suggests that this individual was a very important figure in ancient Egyptian society. But the identity of the body remains unknown, as opening the mummified cloths to study it may irreparably damage this unique mummification technique. Related 4,000-year-old tablets found in Iraq reveal ancient red tape Scientists have used other methods to look inside of it and have found clues about its identity. CT scans and X-rays, performed without ever touching the mummy , have revealed to researchers that the mummy of 'Bashiri' was a man about 167 centimetres tall. Scholars argue that the mummy dates back to the Ptolemaic period, between the 2nd and early 3rd centuries BCE. Bashiri dates back to the 3rd century BC. Vania Teofilo/Wikipedia The art of mummification was at its peak during this era. The mummy offers a unique view of burial rites during the Ptolemaic period and is currently kept in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The cloth roles and drawings on the mummy's face resemble the architectural design of Egyptian pyramids, which may indicate the degree of respect and high status of this individual in society. Related British-Egyptian archaeologists reveal pharaoh's tomb after nearly a century in 'significant find' Archaeologists unearth 4500-year-old Ancient Egyptian tomb with astonishing treasures But why can't scientists unravel this mummy? Opening the mummy's cloth is the most direct way to obtain information about the remains within it. But these fabrics are very delicate and fragile, and damaging them would destroy the only known example of this mummification technique. For this reason, specialists have used non-invasive methods such as CT scans and X-rays. The researchers say observing the mummy's decorative appearance offers information about this person's place in life. For example, the lateral lock on his chest is made of several rows of beads and has barbs in the shape of a hawk's head, which is considered a sign of wealth and influence. The bodice covering the mummy's body contains scenes of the deceased lying on a bed surrounded by the deities Isis and Nephthys. Also present at his side are the four sons of the god Horus, child of Isis. Join Euronews Farsi Telegram Channel The veneer of the mummified feet also features two depictions of Anubis, the god of burial. These details suggest that this individual was a very wealthy and important man, but none of these clues have led to the discovery of his name. ADVERTISEMENT The mysterious mummy from 2,300 years ago Josse Leemage/ Egypt Musuem The only extant indication of this individual's identity is an inscription hastily written inside his tomb, which may be the name 'Bashiri' or 'Neno'. However, experts have so far been unable to determine with certainty which name is the correct one. Specialists continue to use non-invasive methods to study these amazing remains and may uncover more clues about the mummy's identity. Until then, Bashiri's mummy will remain shrouded in a halo of mystery.
