An international team of scientists led by Professor Paul Denny from our top-rated Biosciences and Chemistry departments has made significant strides in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
The team, which also included Professor Steven Cobb, Professor Ehmke Pohl and Professor Patrick Steel from our Chemistry department, has been awarded The Outstanding Team Impact Prize, which recognises the major impact its collaborative team science approach has made in medical research.
Funded by the £6.8 million Global Challenges Research Fund from the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Global Network for NTDs brought together over 500 researchers from 13 institutes worldwide.
The network's core mission was to democratise and decolonise research in this field by building laboratory capacity and expertise in endemic countries across Asia and South America.
Through cross-disciplinary partnerships between scientists in these regions, the team demonstrated globally equitable working practices.
Beyond fostering international cooperation, the Global Network achieved notable scientific advances.
Researchers developed multiple new techniques and discovered and validated many novel drug targets to combat leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
The team's exemplary work influenced and attracted private sector collaborators, revealing a tangible legacy and impact that will outlive the initial funding award.
By engaging industry partners, the network has paved the way for further progress in developing treatments for these neglected diseases.
The MRC Impact Prize recognises the outstanding achievements of the Global Network for NTDs, celebrating the team's collaborative approach to addressing complex health challenges.
Professor Denny’s leadership in bringing together diverse expertise from various scientific backgrounds showcases the power of team science.
The network's success serves as a model for future global research initiatives, demonstrating the potential of equitable partnerships and the essential contributions of all participants in the research process.
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