NEWS A dissertation by Kasturika Shankar, Umeå University, shows new possibilities to treat enteroviruses, which cause diseases such as colds, polio and myocardial disease. Another result is the possibility of counteracting the intestinal organism Giardia.
Kasturika Shankar's research focuses on a key player, namely the 2C protein. She reveals it as a potential game-changer in the fight against enteroviruses.
"By studying this part of the virus, we found a way to stop it from working. This could be a new way of manufacturing drugs to fight enteroviruses that cause variety diseases including, inflammation of the heart and the common cold," says Kasturika Shankar, Department of medical chemistry and biophysics.
Kasturika Shankar, Department of medical chemistry and biophysics.
ImageHans KarlssonIn collaboration with the Hofer lab, the researchers also studied a small organism called Giardia, which can cause giardiasis, an intestinal infection that can lead to bloating, stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea. They discovered that Giardia needs a special protein, dAK, to survive. One result was that certain drugs used to treat other diseases can also stop dAK from working. This may be a new way of making drugs to fight Giardia.
Thesis title: Biochemical and structural studies of proteins supporting the genome replication of enteroviruses and Giardia intestinalis.
Date and time of PhD defence: 5th March 2024, 0900 hrs. Venue: Carl Kempe lecture hall (KBE303), KBC, Umeå University
Contact information
Phone: +46 73 677 28 77
Email: kasturika.shankar@umu.se