Michael Riscoe

Dr. Riscoe’s lab focuses on the discovery, optimization and translational development of antiparasitic drugs, especially drugs for treatment and prevention of malaria. Using modern methods of drug design and chemical synthesis his laboratory has successfully created 5 novel antimalarial “chemotypes” with exemplary molecules in each category that are orally bioavailable and curative in mouse models of infection. These chemotypes include: 1) Dual functional acridones with blood stage activity that interact synergistically with many standard antimalarial agents, 2) 4-Aminoquinoline derivatives (“Pharmachins”), designed to replace chloroquine, that are rapidly active against multidrug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum parasites, 3) Quinolones (i.e., ELQ-300 and ELQ-316) that block parasite mitochondrial respiration and act vs. the blood, liver, gametocyte, and vector stages of parasite development, 4) Prodrugs of ELQ-300 for improved oral delivery and for injectable sustained-release and long-term protection against malaria, and 5) Biguanides with enhanced synergy together with anti-respiratory drugs such as atovaquone and ELQ-300. Dr. Riscoe’s lab also investigates drug mechanism of action and drug resistance by use of methods that are traditional to the fields of biochemistry, chemical biology and molecular parasitology. His lab receives support from the Department of Veterans Affairs, NIH, the US DOD and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). He maintains active collaborations with OHSU researchers including Scott Landfear, Ph.D. and J. Stone Doggett, MD as well as researchers elsewhere in the United States (e.g., Chourkri Ben Mamoun, Yale Univ.) and around the world (e.g., Jeremy Burrows, MMV, Colin Sutherland, London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and Susan Charman, Monash University).

Childhood: I grew up in the area surrounding Kansas City.

Hobbies: Hiking, camping, snowshoeing, reading historical books, and going to the beautiful Oregon coast.

My wife Terry and I have 3 children and one grandchild.