TRMD 690 Seminar:”Evaluation of Antiviral Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Found in Natural Hawaiian Marine Extracts”, Mallory Wilson, MS Student

When

04/26/2023    
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Where

JABSOM Medical Education Bldg. Rm 315
651 Ilalo St., Honolulu,, HI, 96813

Event Type

 

In-Person & By Zoom

Zoom ID: 979 6297 5142

Email corit@hawaii.edu for passcode

Mallory Wilson, MPHTM
M.S. Student
Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology
John A. Burns School of Medicine
University of Hawaii at Manoa


While the use of vaccines and social distance practices remain the best way to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the management of acute COVID-19 requires other clinical therapeutic options. The use of antiviral therapies, such as Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Molnupiravir, are now widely used. However, both of these drugs are accompanied by the risk of liver and kidney toxicity and there is concern regarding the potential development of drug resistance. Thus, there is an urgent need for more antiviral therapeutic options that are safe, effective and can be readily synthesized. Natural bioactive secondary metabolites are promising options for antiviral activity. Marine environments serve as one source of these extracts and the island state of Hawai’i, has a diverse repertoire of aquatic bioactive compounds. In this study we worked to identify novel marine extracts with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. This study provides new insights into the untapped resources that are natural marine extracts and their possible use as antiviral therapeutics. Further validation of these extracts will focus on the characterization of mechanism of action in human primary cells.