AvirAL
Isolation and characterization of antiviral proteins from marine microalgae
The aim of the project is to identify and present new broad-spectrum antiviral agents that are particularly effective against nosocomial viral infectious diseases. Marine microalgae from the groups of red algae and diatoms are to be analyzed with regard to the presence of potent antiviral lectins. Lectins are proteins that bind glycan structures, e.g. on viral envelopes, in a highly selective manner and inactivate the viruses by physically blocking them. The algal lectins will be isolated, structurally and functionally characterized, tested for binding to viral surfaces and investigated with regard to their efficacy in cellular infection models.
