معرفی
Anaïs Merckx serves as a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris, with significant collaborative roles at Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN) and Sorbonne Université. Her research bridges chemical biology and parasitology to combat malaria through innovative drug discovery approaches.
Her work centers on Plasmodium falciparum pathogenesis, emphasizing three interconnected pillars: (1) Antimalarial compound development using natural products (Skeletocutin E) and synthetic chemistry (quinazoline derivatives), (2) Chemical biology tool creation for live-cell imaging and proteome labeling, and (3) Proteomic analysis of host-pathogen interactions, particularly how sickle cell trait and hemoglobin S variants modulate infection. This integrated approach targets both parasite vulnerabilities and host-specific therapeutic responses.
Analysis of her 2019-2024 publications reveals a strategic shift from foundational proteomics toward translational drug development, culminating in a 2024 patent for Skeletocutin E. Her research consistently addresses critical malaria challenges including pregnancy-associated complications, host genetic factors in disease severity, and novel target identification for next-generation therapeutics.
Dr. Merckx's active patent project managed by SATT Lutech demonstrates successful grant capture and technology transfer capabilities. She supervises students within a collaborative framework spanning University of Paris, MNHN, and Sorbonne Université, providing access to specialized chemistry libraries, imaging facilities, and infectious disease expertise. This tri-institutional network enables comprehensive antimalarial research from target identification through preclinical validation.
