New Drug of Schistosomiasis Topic of Williams CAS Lecture, Oct. 14

"Not Neglecting Neglected Diseases: Efforts to Identify New Drugs for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis" will be the topic of the College of Arts and Sciences Lecture presented by David L. Williams on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Old Main Room.  The event is free at open to the public.

Williams is an associate professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and a former faculty member in Illinois State's Department of Biological Sciences.  His research focuses on the biochemistry and molecular biology of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic flatworm that causes schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease that affects more than 200 million people and causes more than 250,000 deaths annually. 

Williams, along with research colleagues, is studying chemical compounds known as oxadiazoles which can inhibit an enzyme vital to the survival of Schistosoma.  The chemical compounds hold promise as potential new therapies for schistosomiasis.  Currently, people living in more than 70 tropical nations require annual or semi-annual treatment with the drug praziquantel to rid their bodies of the parasite.  Public health officials are concerned that the Schistosoma parasites will eventually become resistant to praziquantel and the drug will lose its effectiveness.