Exciting Collaboration: Roy Laboratory’s ‘Molecular Architects’ Team Up with UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy

In August, Dr. Sudeshna Roy joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as an associate professor. She brought with her a dedicated team, including a postdoctoral scholar and five doctoral students, along with an impressive collection of over 2,000 chemicals for her research.

Previously from the University of Mississippi College of Pharmacy, Dr. Roy aims to bring innovative ideas and new projects to UT Health Science Center. Her research focuses on drug discovery, and she has recently received significant funding from the NIH, including the prestigious Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award.

Dr. Roy describes her work as that of a “molecular architect.” She and her team redesign drug compounds to make them more effective and better suited for patient needs. Their approach involves studying drugs at the molecular level to improve their chemical and biological characteristics. “We create these molecules and apply them to various disease focus areas,” she explains.

One major target in Dr. Roy’s lab is improving antibiotics to combat diseases like tuberculosis and certain serious bacterial infections. The journey starts by identifying promising molecules that show activity against specific pathogens. Dr. Roy’s team evaluates these molecules to determine whether they need new synthetic methods or technologies before refining their structures to enhance their drug-like properties.

A Focus on Tuberculosis

Dr. Roy’s commitment to fighting tuberculosis (TB) is deeply personal. Growing up in West Bengal, India, she has witnessed the impact of TB, which affected over 10.8 million people globally in 2023, especially in developing regions. “There is just one vaccine for TB, and there is a huge need for new antibiotics to improve treatment,” she notes. Her goal is to create affordable oral medications for underserved communities.

Recently, she and Professor Christina Stallings from Washington University received a grant surpassing $787,000 from the National Institutes of Health to explore new compound treatments for TB. “We have made some amazing discoveries over the past couple of years,” Dr. Roy remarks. “Now, we’re investigating how these molecules work and their potential uses.”

The Significance of the MIRA Award

Dr. Roy received the first Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award at UT Health Science Center, allowing her lab to explore the use of fluorine-containing compounds in drug discovery. This grant offers stability and flexibility, enabling her research to adapt to new ideas as they arise.

Fluorine is often called an “enchanted atom” because its properties can be unpredictable and poorly understood. By introducing fluorine into pharmaceuticals, Dr. Roy’s research could improve drug efficacy and reduce metabolism in areas of the body, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes.

Fostering Creativity and Collaboration

If you hear music coming from the fifth floor, it’s likely the Roy Lab. Dr. Roy encourages a creative environment where students are free to express themselves and collaborate on new ideas. She emphasizes the importance of mentoring, guiding them through critical thinking and teamwork.

“If you can think critically, pursue new ideas, and collaborate, you can achieve great things,” she says. Dr. Roy’s commitment to her students has led many to flourish in their careers after graduating from her lab.

As Dr. Roy settles into her role at UT Health Science Center, she remains focused on enhancing health outcomes for underserved populations and empowering the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists.

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The research behind this announcement received support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.