Pratap Vydyam, PhD
Postdoctoral AssociateAbout
Titles
Postdoctoral Associate
Departments & Organizations
Research
Overview
I am profoundly interested in infectious diseases that severely impact the global economy, specifically in uncovering new antimalarial treatments and identifying untapped pathways crucial to protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium and Babesia, which can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. By identifying the molecular target(s) of active compounds, we can not only delve into the underlying biology of these parasites but also expedite the development of innovative medicines. Over the past ten years, my malaria research has revolved around investigating the role of P. falciparum recombinase in antigenic variation, providing a proof of concept for its potential as a drug target towards disease elimination. I have also studied how antimalarials and FDA-approved compounds function and how human babesiosis-causing parasites counteract their effects in vitro and animal models.
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0003-4944-6006
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Choukri Ben Mamoun, PhD
Anasuya Pal, PhD
Pallavi Singh
Albert Ko, MD
Amy Bei, PhD
Chantal Vogels, PhD
Babesiosis
Antimalarials
Malaria, Falciparum
Rad51 Recombinase
Publications
2024
A Divergent Synthesis of Numerous Pyrroloiminoquinone Alkaloids Identifies Promising Antiprotozoal Agents
Barnes G, Magann N, Perrotta D, Hörmann F, Fernandez S, Vydyam P, Choi J, Prudhomme J, Neal A, Le Roch K, Mamoun C, Vanderwal C. A Divergent Synthesis of Numerous Pyrroloiminoquinone Alkaloids Identifies Promising Antiprotozoal Agents. Journal Of The American Chemical Society 2024, 146: 29883-29894. PMID: 39412402, PMCID: PMC11528414, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c11897.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNatural productsLarock indole synthesisAlkaloid natural productsAmine nucleophilesDivergent synthesisIndole synthesisPyrrolic nitrogenMethoxy groupLead compoundsDrug discoveryCompoundsStructural analogsPlasmodium falciparum</i>SynthesisPyrroloiminoquinoneHuman cytotoxicityMalaria parasitesNucleophilesPyrroleAntiprotozoal agentsAminesMammalian cellsIntermediateA kalihinol analog disrupts apicoplast function and vesicular trafficking in P. falciparum malaria
Chahine Z, Abel S, Hollin T, Barnes G, Chung J, Daub M, Renard I, Choi J, Vydyam P, Pal A, Alba-Argomaniz M, Banks C, Kirkwood J, Saraf A, Camino I, Castaneda P, Cuevas M, De Mercado-Arnanz J, Fernandez-Alvaro E, Garcia-Perez A, Ibarz N, Viera-Morilla S, Prudhomme J, Joyner C, Bei A, Florens L, Ben Mamoun C, Vanderwal C, Le Roch K. A kalihinol analog disrupts apicoplast function and vesicular trafficking in P. falciparum malaria. Science 2024, 385: eadm7966. PMID: 39325875, DOI: 10.1126/science.adm7966.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsP. falciparum malariaHumanized mouse modelPlasmodium falciparum</i> strainsIn vivo studiesParasite apicoplastDrug sensitivityTherapeutic profileVesicular traffickingGenomic analysisLipid biogenesisSecretory machineryAsexual replicationGenetic analysisReduced susceptibilityCellular traffickingApicoplast functionStrong efficacyMED6Sexual differentiationHemolytic activityDrug pipelineApicoplastKalihinolTraffickingMalariaInsights into the evolution, virulence and speciation of Babesia MO1 and Babesia divergens through multiomics analyses
Singh P, Vydyam P, Fang T, Estrada K, Gonzalez L, Grande R, Kumar M, Chakravarty S, Berry V, Ranwez V, Carcy B, Depoix D, Sánchez S, Cornillot E, Abel S, Ciampossin L, Lenz T, Harb O, Sanchez-Flores A, Montero E, Le Roch K, Lonardi S, Mamoun C. Insights into the evolution, virulence and speciation of Babesia MO1 and Babesia divergens through multiomics analyses. Emerging Microbes & Infections 2024, 13: 2386136. PMID: 39148308, PMCID: PMC11370697, DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2386136.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLeveraging genomic informationHuman babesiosisTick-borne diseasesDiseases of significanceCases of human babesiosisGenomic divergenceGenome sequenceGenomic informationMultigene familyGene functionBabesia divergensMammalian hostsAnimal healthMultiomics analysisZoonotic pathogensBabesiosisProtozoan parasitesVirulent strainsPathogensVertebrate hostsEnvironmental changesVirulenceReplication rateAntiparasitic drugsParasitesIn vitro efficacy of next-generation dihydrotriazines and biguanides against babesiosis and malaria parasites
Vydyam P, Chand M, Gihaz S, Renard I, Heffernan G, Jacobus L, Jacobus D, Saionz K, Shah R, Shieh H, Terpinski J, Zhao W, Cornillot E, Mamoun C. In vitro efficacy of next-generation dihydrotriazines and biguanides against babesiosis and malaria parasites. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2024, 68: e00423-24. PMID: 39136469, PMCID: PMC11373198, DOI: 10.1128/aac.00423-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTherapeutic indexPlasmodium falciparum</i>Effective therapeutic strategyCausative agent of babesiosisIn vitro efficacyAntiparasitic drugsProtozoan parasitesMalaria parasitesIntraerythrocytic protozoan parasiteTherapeutic strategiesFolate pathwayBroad-spectrum antiparasitic drugStrain HB3Babesia divergensMalariaBabesia duncaniAnimal healthAntifolatesDrugWidespread resistanceCausative agentBiguanideBabesiaBabesiosisBiosynthesis of purinesA set of diagnostic tests for detection of active Babesia duncani infection
Chand M, Vydyam P, Pal A, Thekkiniath J, Darif D, Li Z, Choi J, Magni R, Luchini A, Tonnetti L, Horn E, Tufts D, Ben Mamoun C. A set of diagnostic tests for detection of active Babesia duncani infection. International Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2024, 147: 107178. PMID: 39025200, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107178.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. microtiB. duncaniBlood samplesLife-threatening infectionsAntigen capture assayTick-borne diseasesFatal tick-borne diseaseP. falciparumBabesia genusScreening of blood samplesBabesia speciesB. divergensActive infectionAccurate diagnosisEffective disease managementPoint-of-care testingDiagnostic testsReservoir hostsBabesiaInfectionHuman babesiosisIntraerythrocytic parasitesImmunodominant antigensMolecular assaysCapture assayVitamin B5 metabolism is essential for vacuolar and mitochondrial functions and drug detoxification in fungi
Choi J, Gihaz S, Munshi M, Singh P, Vydyam P, Hamel P, Adams E, Sun X, Khalimonchuk O, Fuller K, Ben Mamoun C. Vitamin B5 metabolism is essential for vacuolar and mitochondrial functions and drug detoxification in fungi. Communications Biology 2024, 7: 894. PMID: 39043829, PMCID: PMC11266677, DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06595-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSusceptibility of fungiRegulation of genesMetabolism of fatty acidsVacuolar morphologySaccharomyces cerevisiaeAcetyl-CoAEukaryotic pathogensGenetic evidenceGenetic regulationCellular processesAntifungal drugsCo-enzyme ADrug detoxificationAntifungal therapyDrug-resistant strainsFungal infectionsMitochondrial functionFungiAmino acidsAR-12Vitamin B5Synthase activityPathwayExcellent targetGlobal health threatEffectiveness of Two New Endochin-like Quinolones, ELQ-596 and ELQ-650, in Experimental Mouse Models of Human Babesiosis
Vydyam P, Chand M, Pou S, Winter R, Liebman K, Nilsen A, Doggett J, Riscoe M, Mamoun C. Effectiveness of Two New Endochin-like Quinolones, ELQ-596 and ELQ-650, in Experimental Mouse Models of Human Babesiosis. ACS Infectious Diseases 2024, 10: 1405-1413. PMID: 38563132, PMCID: PMC11127568, DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00143.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRadical cureEndochin-like quinolonesAgent of human malariaLethal infection modelTreatment of human babesiosisLow toxicity profileExperimental mouse modelImmunocompetent miceImmunocompromised miceFavorable pharmacological propertiesHuman malariaToxicity profileChronic modelHuman babesiosisAnimal modelsInfection modelPharmacological limitationsActivity in vitroPharmacological propertiesReduce infectionQuinolonesMiceMitochondrial electron transport chainFavorable physicochemical propertiesMonotherapyResponse to the Letter by Liu and Colleagues
Mamoun C, Vydyam P. Response to the Letter by Liu and Colleagues. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2024, 229: 1601-1601. PMID: 38471083, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae084.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTafenoquine-Atovaquone Combination Achieves Radical Cure and Confers Sterile Immunity in Experimental Models of Human Babesiosis
Vydyam P, Pal A, Renard I, Chand M, Kumari V, Gennaro J, Mamoun C. Tafenoquine-Atovaquone Combination Achieves Radical Cure and Confers Sterile Immunity in Experimental Models of Human Babesiosis. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2024, 229: 161-172. PMID: 38169301, PMCID: PMC10786256, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad315.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Babesia BdFE1 esterase is required for the anti-parasitic activity of the ACE inhibitor fosinopril
Vydyam P, Choi J, Gihaz S, Chand M, Gewirtz M, Thekkiniath J, Lonardi S, Gennaro J, Mamoun C. Babesia BdFE1 esterase is required for the anti-parasitic activity of the ACE inhibitor fosinopril. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2023, 299: 105313. PMID: 37797695, PMCID: PMC10663679, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105313.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAngiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsACE inhibitor fosinoprilTick-borne illnessConverting Enzyme InhibitorsVector-borne parasitic diseaseClass of drugsNovel drug targetsApicomplexan parasitesMass spectrometry analysisAnti-parasitic activityHeart failureSafe therapyParasite developmentDrug targetsEnzyme inhibitorsParasitic diseasesDrug resistanceTreatment of diseasesHuman babesiosisBabesia parasitesIntraerythrocytic parasitesSuch diseasesDiseaseSpectrometry analysisParasites
News
News
- October 24, 2024
Further Babesiosis Biology, Pathogenicity Research Underway at Yale
- September 27, 2024
Team Science Leads to Antimalarial Drug Discovery
- January 03, 2024
Babesiosis: Researchers Discover a New Combination Therapy Effective Against Drug-sensitive and Resistant Parasites
- April 13, 2023
New Multi-Omics Study Sheds Light on Virulence and Vulnerability of a Babesia Parasite