Michael Pollastri

Associate Professor

417 Egan Research Center
Tel: 617.373.2703
Fax: 617.373.8795
m.pollastri@neu.edu
Pollastri Group Laboratory
Twitter:@NUTrypkiller

Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Technology

Education:

PhD, Brown University, Providence, RI
MS, Duke University, Durham, NC
AB, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Research Interests

Our primary research focus is on discovery of new therapeutics for neglected tropical diseases, using a “parachute” or “repurposing” approach. In this approach, we identify parasitic targets of importance that have been previously biochemically validated, with a further focus on those targets with human homologs that have been pursued in human drug discovery. We then prepare known ligands previously reported against the human homolog for assessment against the parasite target, and then pursue an optimization program

from that starting point. Our first project is focused on trypanosomal phosphodiesterases, enzymes that have ~30% homology to human PDE4 and 5. Other projects focus on trypansomal TOR, Aurora kinases, dihydrofolate reductase, and HDACs.

Our secondary area of focus is on chemical technologies. Projects in this category include diversification of lead compounds using reaction screening approaches, applications of flow chemistry, and Green Chemistry.

Selected Publications

Bland, N. D.; Wang, C.; Tallman, C.; Gustafson, A. E.; Wang, Z.; Ashton, T. D.; Ochiana, S. O.; McAllister, G.; Cotter, K.; Fang, A. P.; Gechijian, G.; Garceau, N.; Gangurde, R.; Ortenberg, R.; Ondrechen, M. J.; Campbell, R. K.; Pollastri, M. P. Pharmacological Validation of Trypanosoma brucei Phosphodiesterases B1 and B2 as Druggable Targets for African Sleeping Sickness. J. Med. Chem. 2011 54, 8188-8194

Diaz-Gonzalez, R.; Kuhlmann, F.M.; Galan-Rodriguez, C.; Madeira da Silva,L.; Karver, C.E.; Beverley, S.M.; Rodriguez, A.; Navarro, M; Pollastri, M.P. “The susceptibility of trypanosomatid pathogens to PI3/mTOR kinase inhibitors affords a new opportunity for drug repurposing.” PLoS-Neglected Tropical Diseases 2011, 5, e1297

Shaw, B. F.; Arthanari, H.; Narovlyansky, M.; Durazo, A.; Frueh, D.P.; Pollastri, M. P.; Lee, A.; Bilgicer, B.; Gygi, S. P.; Wagner, G.; Whitesides, G. M. “Neutralizing positive charges at the surface of a protein lowers its rate of amide hydrogen exchange without altering its structure or increasing its thermostability.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010 132, 17411-17425.

Pollastri, M. P.; Whitty, A.; Merrill, J. C., Tang, X. Ashton, T. D.; Amar, S. “Identification and Characterization of Kava-derived Compounds Mediating TNF-α Suppression.” Chem. Biol. Drug Design 2009, 74, 121-128