Development of bioconjugates containing peptides for combined therapy aimed the treatment of Zika and Dengue Virus infection

• Grant number: 19/08342-4
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 09, 2019
• Effective date (End): March 08, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal researcher: Eduardo Maffud Cilli
• Grantee: Paulo Ricardo da Silva Sanches
• Supervisor abroad: Arvind Patel
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Glasgow, Scotland
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/23244-8 - Development of new peptides and bioconjugates against Zika virus infection, BP.DR

Abstract

Persisting human pandemics, emerging and re-emerging viruses, and evolution of drug-resistant strains impose continuous search for new antiviral drugs. Zika and Dengue infections are important diseases in the world and its incidence is increasing. Those epidemics impose high costs to health services, to families and to the economic systems of affected countries, including Brazil. Peptides with antiviral activity is a growing research area and has shown satisfactory results against much type of viruses. Gallic acid-conjugated Hecate was the most efficient Hecate-derivative against HCV, showing high antiviral activity and inhibiting between to 99% of all major steps of the infectious cycle . Our Initial studies have shown that Gallic Acid-Hecate is a new class of broad spectrum antiviral targeting also Dengue and Zika virus. Considering the promising successful of antiviral peptides and our development at this area we propose the collaboration with Dr. Arvind Patel from Glasgow University - Institute of infection, immunity and inflammation - Scotland. In this PhD internship, the second generation of GA-Hecate compounds and new peptides bioconjugates will be evaluate against Zika and Dengue Virus.