Establishing Galleria Mellonella culture for discovering plant-based anti-infective drugs

Cooperating countries: Gabon and Austria

Coordinating institution: Medical University of Vienna (MUW), Prof. Dr. Bertrand Lell, bertrand.lell@meduniwien.ac.at  

Partner institution: Centre de Recherches Médicale de Lambaréné (CERMEL)

Project duration: 1 May - 30 April 2024

Abstract:

Drug discovery, including that from natural compounds includes in-vitro and in-vivo testing of compounds. Traditonally, rodents have been used for in-vivo testing, however, recently the culture of larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella (GM) is being used in order to spare vertebrates in drug discovery. The Medical University of Vienna has established G. mellonella cultures for testing of new antibiotics. Both efficacy and toxitiy can be tested in such a model. The Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) has recently set up a chemistry laboratory to extract and purify natural compounds from the local plants. The current project aims to set up the GM model at CERMEL to study antibiotic properties and toxicity of local plant extracts.

The project is designed to transfer the know-how from MUW and establish it sustainibly at CERMEL. Several scientists and technicians will be trained in the procedures.