Identification and Characterization of small molecules targeting Influenza A virus

Influenza viruses are the major pathogens resulting in morbidity and mortality and a considerable burden to healthcare systems globally. Influenza pandemics can have devastating consequences and influenza could be considered as one of the biggest threats to the world's socio-economic health. Due to the frequent usage of current drugs like Tamiflu and Amantadine, the outbreak of drug-resistant virus is encouraged. It is urged to look for new medications and druggable targets for combating drug-resistant virus strains. In this project, we aim to perform structure-function studies on viral proteins, and further carry out in silico structure-based screening against a library of available compounds to develop novel inhibitors against influenza virus.

Objectives: (1) Target identification by the combination of literature search and bioinformatic approaches, including sequence homology, structure homology and molecular docking. (2) Drug development by in-silico structure-based screening and characterization of the inhibitors of targets. Significance: The success in this project will lay the molecular and structural foundation for the role of virulence factors in viral proteins. Our characterization of their interaction with ligands by cell-based and cell-free methods will give important molecular and structural information to guide the structure-based screening of inhibitors against viral proteins. The list of the compounds will be useful leads for the development of new medications.