Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for compound discovery. Modified yeast that have their endogenous yeast shikimate pathway disrupted or deleted, and replaced with homologous pathway genes from one or more distinct organisms, are provided and used in assays of test agents. The homologous pathway genes are designed to supplement the disrupted or deleted shikimate pathway genes. The assays are designed to identify whether or not the test agents can interfere with the function of enzymes in the shikimate pathway from organisms that are distinct from the yeast avatar hosts. In embodiments, the disruption/deletion of the yeast endogenous shikimate pathway results in the yeast being incapable of producing chorismic acid.