Surf Diaries 2005

Searching for A Cure

SURF Team Investigates an Anti-Viral Compound to Combat the Dengue Virus

It starts with a sudden high fever, headaches and a mild rash. Left untreated, the Dengue Virus can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, shock, the collapse of the cardiovascular system and sometimes death – but not if four R-MC students have anything to do with it. This summer, this four-member team, which included sophomores Robert Culley and Ashley Ford and juniors Kerisa Harriott and Ted Shaner, worked to find an effective cure for this increasingly widespread disease by way of the college’s 2005 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program.

(Left to Right) Ashley Ford, Kerisa Harriott, Ted Shaner and Robert Culley

Currently, the Dengue Virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, is endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, South America, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. In comparison, in the 1970s the virus was present in just nine countries. As the virus multiplies, so do the chances of acquiring the disease. To combat this growing problem, the four-member team, along with chemistry professor Nora Green, studied two proteins linked to the virus – the envelope protein and the viral protease.

More specifically, Kerisa and Ashley’s SURF projects involved their creating various types of molecules that would, if successful, act as inhibitors for the viral protease and also serve as the basis for an anti-viral drug for the disease.

“I became interested in this topic because the Dengue Virus currently is affecting developing countries such as Jamaica and I have seen firsthand the impact of this virus on people,” said Kerisa, a native of Jamaica who plans to attend medical school after graduation. “If a form of treatment is not developed soon, this virus will inevitably spread to more developed countries such as the United States.”

Ashley, a chemistry major and mathematics minor added, “I decided to participate in SURF because I wanted to determine whether research within my field was something that interested me. SURF also has taught me patience, which you must have when you’re conducting experiments and waiting for the reactions to work the way you want them to.”

While Ashley and Kerisa worked to develop new molecules, Robert researched a method to better determine what effect certain molecules have on the conformation of the envelope protein.

“I decided to participate in SURF because I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain experience in the field, which hopefully will help me get into medical school down the road,” said Robert, a chemistry and biology double major. “This also is a tremendous research opportunity, particularly at the undergraduate level.”

Rounding out the team’s cutting-edge SURF research was Ted Shaner. Ted’s SURF project involved his identifying molecules that would affect the conformation of the envelope protein and in turn, halt the infectivity of the virus.

“SURF is a wonderful program that lets you do in-depth research while working closely with a professor,” said Ted, a chemistry and biology double major. “It also gave me an idea of what a career in chemistry would be like, as well as allowed me to gain the experience and knowledge graduate programs are looking for.”

[Back to SURF Projects 2005]