Helminthix Target DB

HTDB is a planned knowledgebase connecting helminth genes, proteins, structures, small molecules, assays and evidence.

Why build HTDB?

Helminth drug discovery is rich in fragmented evidence: genomes, orthologues, protein domains, AlphaFold structures, PDB templates, known anthelmintics, repurposing candidates, HTS hits, knock-out experiments, viability assays and disease-specific expertise. HTDB is intended to bring those signals into one practical discovery layer.

What the database would connect

• Genes and orthology: WormBase ParaSite identifiers, gene families, species coverage and parasite selectivity.
• Proteins and structures: UniProt records, domains, PDB structures, AlphaFold models and predicted binding pockets.
• Small molecules: known anthelmintics, repurposing candidates, screening hits, SAR series and chemical tractability.
• Functional evidence: RNAi, CRISPR, knock-out data, essentiality, viability, motility, fecundity and stage-specific assay readouts.
• Translational context: disease group, parasite life stage, resistance risk, safety considerations, formulation and access potential.

What researchers should eventually be able to ask

The long-term goal is not just a static catalogue. Researchers should be able to move between a parasite gene and possible molecules, or between a molecule and plausible helminth targets. For example: find small molecules likely to affect a particular parasite protein; compare targets across worm groups; identify compounds with functional assay evidence; or prioritise target x drug pairs for real parasite testing.

Current status

HTDB is an early-stage infrastructure concept. We are defining the data model, source integrations, curation rules and first target-molecule evidence sets. If you work with helminth genomics, SAR, HTS, structures, assay data or parasite functional genetics, please contact us.