From Molecules to Medicine: Ghanaian Scientist Uses Computational Methods to Unlock Nature’s Secrets Against Leishmaniasis

October 23, 2025

Health

From Molecules to Medicine: Ghanaian Scientist Uses Computational Methods to Unlock Nature’s Secrets Against Leishmaniasis

By Sammy Heywood Okine August 31, 2025 44

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From Molecules to Medicine: Ghanaian Scientist Uses Computational Methods to Unlock Nature’s Secrets Against Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease transmitted by sand flies, continues to devastate communities across Africa, with Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions among the hardest hit. While the disease exists in two major forms, visceral and cutaneous, both are marked by painful symptoms, limited treatment options, and growing drug resistance.

In Ghana, outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis have persisted since the early 2000s, with recent studies revealing alarmingly high exposure rates. A 2021 survey found that 41.8% of individuals across three communities tested positive for Leishmania parasites, with Keri village peaking at 55.1%. Ulcer biopsies showed 87% positivity, often complicated by co-infections such as Haemophilus ducreyi, making diagnosis and treatment even more challenging.

But amid these sobering statistics, a new wave of innovation is emerging, led by Ghanaian scientist Aaron Boakye, a PhD candidate in Biochemistry at the University of Utah. Mr. Boakye has pioneered a hybrid approach to drug discovery that blends ancestral knowledge with modern computational tools, offering fresh hope for diseases long overlooked by global pharmaceutical pipelines.

Mr. Boakye’s research targets Leishmania donovani, the parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. Using molecular simulations, he’s investigated two key enzymes, OASS and PTR1, that the parasite relies on for survival and drug resistance. These enzymes are either absent or structurally distinct in human cells, making them ideal candidates for selective treatment.

Through virtual screening, Boakye identified synthetic compounds ICA-2 and ICA-3 as promising inhibitors of OASS. But it’s the plant-derived molecules grifolin, piperogalin, and licochalcone A that have captured attention. Sourced from traditional medicinal plants, these compounds bind tightly to PTR1 and remain stable under simulated physiological conditions, suggesting real therapeutic potential.

“This isn’t about replacing traditional drug development,” Mr. Boakye explains. “It’s about using digital tools to refine and validate what traditional medicine has long offered.”

His work underscores a broader truth: across Africa, communities have used plant-based remedies for centuries to treat infections and inflammation. Now, with open-access software, cloud computing, and publicly available datasets, African scientists can explore these remedies with unprecedented precision without the need for massive budgets or high-end labs.

Mr. Boakye is especially intrigued by the concept of dual targeting, blocking both OASS and PTR1 simultaneously to reduce the parasite’s ability to adapt and resist treatment. It’s a strategy that could reshape how we approach drug resistance in parasitic diseases.

More than a scientific breakthrough, Mr. Boakye’s work is a call to action. It demonstrates how Africa’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge can guide precision medicine, and how computational tools can democratize drug discovery for underserved regions.

“In the fight against leishmaniasis and other neglected diseases,” Boakye says, “our greatest strength may lie in the synergy between tradition and technology. Sometimes, the answers are already growing around us, we just need better ways to listen.”