Carmen Gil

Carmen Gil
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas”,
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid
Project Leader

Locking cells against Ebola virus.

• Rafael Delgado
  Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Hospital 12 de Octubre (Imas12), Madrid

• Covadonga Alonso
  Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid

• Cesar Muñoz-Fontela
  Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg

Ebola behaves as a lockpick that mimics the shape of a key to open the lock to enter the cells. Once inside, the virus inserts its nucleic acid to build a factory and produce thousands of copies of the virus. Ebola envelope protein acts as a key and the security lock is the lipid-transporter protein NPC1. Besides confirming the role of NPC1 receptor in the infection of other pathogenic viruses such SARS-CoV-2 and ASFV, we have established a drug discovery platform through the combination of phenotypic screening with efficient target-centric drug discovery. Following this multidisciplinary approach, we have identified new chemical entities able to block the entry of the Ebola virus into the cells and can be useful antivirals. Moreover, activity of selected compounds has been confirmed in replicative Ebola virus and one candidate is being tested in animal models to confirm the proof of concept.

The main expertise of Carmen Gil is in the drug discovery field. With a strong background in medicinal chemistry, her research is applied with a high content of translational research and focuses on those areas that will impact on treatment of human diseases. Along her career, she has successfully worked on discovering new compounds for antiviral, neurodegenerative and neglected tropical diseases. She has used state-of-the-art computational and database tools for his discovery, cutting edge synthesis and purification approaches, all combined with creative organic and medicinal chemistry for hit and lead optimization. Scientific collaborations and technology transfer to companies in the pharmaceutical sector are key tasks in achieving her goals.

Working in the non-profit academic environment, she is eager to work on high-risk projects, with low financial reward but with the satisfaction to contribute to the improvement in health and well-being of the poorest.

Link to full list of publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3882-6081.

My recent research focuses on the search of new drugs for infectious diseases using both target-based and phenotypic approaches. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. The need to develop novel anti-infective drugs has never been greater due to the rise of resistance and the lack of novel compounds available for the treatments. Given the large number of emerging and neglected infectious diseases and the fact that the developing world suffers the major burden of them, a joint effort focused on these global health issues is urgently required to develop new drugs.

Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas” (CIB-CSIC)
Ramiro de Maeztu, 9
28040 Madrid

Tel.: (+34) 918 373 112
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @CIB_CSIC