8 min read
April Fellow's Spotlight on Dr. Vivien Maltez
Our April Fellow's Spotlight goes to Dr. Vivien Maltez, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Allergy,...
Development of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors: Aberrant activation of the innate immune system forms the pathophysiological basis of a variety of disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, life-threatening pathogenic infections, and sickle cell disease. NLRP3 inflammasome is a key component of the innate immune system, and has emerged as a druggable target for the treatment of neurocognitive, neuropsychiatric, and other immune-associated disease states. Guided by computational chemistry, we are developing novel, natural product-inspired platforms with NLRP3 inhibitory activity. Our compounds have shown good in vitro activity against inflammation triggered by a potential bioterror agent, Fracisella tularensis and against LPS-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo. Current research is focused on pharmacophore refinement leading to analogues with improved activity and penetration into the blood-brain barrier.
Development of antiviral compounds: Our research is focused on the development of small molecule inhibitors of Ebola and Marburg virus. Particularly, we are designing inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1, a host enzyme critical for viral replication. Using a combination of computational and classical drug design approaches, we have developed a library of compounds with good antiviral activity, plasma stability, and low toxicity.
Therapeutics targeting HIV-comorbidities and cure: HIV-protein Nef plays a critical role in HIV pathogenicity and co-morbidities, such as, dyslipidemia and neurocognitive dysfunction. Nef binds to endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, calnexin. Our research is focused on the development of compounds that disrupt the Nef-calnexin interaction. These agents suppressed HIV-replication in vitro. Current studies are focused on screening the application of our compounds in HIV comorbidities in vivo.
Research Area(s):
Drug Discovery/TechnologyResearch Keywords:
Mentor: Walter H. Moos, PhD
Apr 23, 2025 by Shannon Weiman
Our April Fellow's Spotlight goes to Dr. Vivien Maltez, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Allergy,...
Apr 22, 2025 by Shannon Weiman
Keystone Symposia was founded on the idea of bringing academic and industry scientists together to accelerate...