Papers
1
Total Citations
173
H-Index
1
About
Dr. L.M. Podust is a leading researcher in the structural biology of infectious diseases, with a primary focus on the development of novel therapeutics for neglected tropical diseases, most notably Chagas disease. His major contributions lie at the intersection of structural biology and drug discovery, where he employs a target-based approach to identify and characterize essential enzymes in pathogens. His highly cited 2009 review (173 citations) on two strategies for developing new drugs for Chagas disease—specifically focusing on the cytochrome P450 enzyme as a drug target—has been foundational in guiding subsequent research efforts. This work, conducted at the Sandler Center at UCSF, highlights his innovative use of X-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structures of key proteins, enabling the rational design of inhibitors. Dr. Podust’s research has significantly advanced our understanding of sterol biosynthesis pathways in parasites, providing critical insights that have accelerated the discovery of potential treatments for Chagas disease and other fungal infections. His contributions continue to shape the field of anti-infective drug development.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Two approaches to discovering and developing new drugs for Chagas disease173 citations · 2009