Biodeiversity2Drugs

The "Biodiversity2Drugs" consortium explores whether peptide molecules from plants, insects, cone snails, and snakes can serve as templates for drugs with reduced side effects. The project focuses on discovering and isolating peptides from natural sources, such as defense peptides from plants and peptide toxins from animals, using computational methods. These peptides are studied for their effects on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to identify new drug candidates with improved pharmacological properties. A central goal is to understand how ligand selectivity is achieved, aiming to develop drugs that are both safer and more effective. The consortium brings together leading experts in peptide research, ecology, evolution, bioinformatics, chemistry, and pharmacology to leverage the potential of natural molecules for drug discovery while contributing to the protection and preservation of global biodiversity.