The RudraLeT-Nano project is a cross-border project coordinated by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). It brings together two teams from Toulouse (1) and (2), a team from Barcelona (3) and a team from Pamplona (4).

By targeting leishmaniasis, this project pursues a dual societal and scientific objective. Climate change, societal practices and interactions between humans and infected animal reservoirs are driving the endemic spread of this disease, particularly in the Mediterranean regions of France (Occitanie) and Spain (Catalonia).

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease found in the Americas, Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean region, particularly in France (Occitanie) and Spain (Catalonia). The vector’s range is slowly expanding in these two European countries. Current treatments are limited in number and also cause significant side effects.

The project partners will focus on two key objectives.

i) Societal: to identify, analyse and understand the impact of factors that contribute to the spread of leishmaniasis in cross-border regions (environmental, socio-economic, public health factors, etc.). The societal approach also aims to establish, for the first time, an ongoing dialogue between scientists, reference centres, the general public, local authorities and cross-border government health agencies.

ii) Scientific: to search for new drug candidates against leishmaniasis by bringing together expertise in medicinal chemistry, biology and nanomedicine. The following areas will be addressed:

1. in Medicinal Chemistry: the design and development of new families of compounds (organic compounds, compounds derived from coordination chemistry with ruthenium). One family has already proved to be highly active;
2. in Biology: their mechanism of action, genetic profiling and in vivo studies;
3. in Nanomedicine: revolutionising the treatment of leishmaniasis through biocompatible systems for the administration of nanomedicines.

Partners:

2 partners in France and 2 partners in Spain

1. 1. CNRS-UPR 8241 Coordination Chemistry Laboratory, ‘Molecules and Composites for Optics’ Team, Toulouse (CNRS, University of Toulouse, France)
   2. Laboratory for Studies and Research on the Economy, Policies and Social Systems (LEREPS Toulouse), University of Toulouse – Jean Jaurès (UT2J, France)
   3. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Navarre, Spain.
   4. Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, nanoBIC Group, University of Barcelona, Spain

Project duration: 36 months