Location
Diamond 146
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 11:30 AM
Project Type
Presentation
Description
With the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as highly lethal viruses, there is a need for a new way to combat these superbugs. Some of the most lethal viruses, which belong to the family Flioviridae, Arenaviridae and Bunyaviridae, as well as bacteria, use a phospholipid bilayer to protect the contents of either the virons or bacterial cell. In these families of viruses the phospholipid bilayer is crucial in is ability to fuse with and infect the host cell. Cytotoxic compounds break down cell walls, which are composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded glycoproteins. Because of the cytotoxic properties of certain types of animal venoms as well as other cytotoxic compounds, it may be possible to specifically target certain types of bacterial cells as well as certain virons with compounds derived from raw venom or other types of cytotoxic compounds. Since with many infections caused by these pathogens medical intervention is limited to supportive care medicines derived from cytotoxic compounds may give doctors a way to combat infections of in a more direct manner. This research will investigate the potential for cytotoxic compounds to be used in treating highly lethal viruses as well as bacterial infections, which are currently untreatable.
Faculty Sponsor
Elizabeth Ketner
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. English Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Humanities
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
332
Cytotoxic Compounds Potential use in Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Viruses from the Families Flioviridae, Arenaviridae and Bunyaviridae
Diamond 146
With the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as highly lethal viruses, there is a need for a new way to combat these superbugs. Some of the most lethal viruses, which belong to the family Flioviridae, Arenaviridae and Bunyaviridae, as well as bacteria, use a phospholipid bilayer to protect the contents of either the virons or bacterial cell. In these families of viruses the phospholipid bilayer is crucial in is ability to fuse with and infect the host cell. Cytotoxic compounds break down cell walls, which are composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded glycoproteins. Because of the cytotoxic properties of certain types of animal venoms as well as other cytotoxic compounds, it may be possible to specifically target certain types of bacterial cells as well as certain virons with compounds derived from raw venom or other types of cytotoxic compounds. Since with many infections caused by these pathogens medical intervention is limited to supportive care medicines derived from cytotoxic compounds may give doctors a way to combat infections of in a more direct manner. This research will investigate the potential for cytotoxic compounds to be used in treating highly lethal viruses as well as bacterial infections, which are currently untreatable.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/321