BioProject
Development of Antiviral Therapeutics via the Regulation of Viroporin Ion Channel activities
This project aims to establish an integrated functional verification system for the discovery and development of novel Viroporin-targeting antiviral therapeutics. The ultimate goal is to identify and validate inhibitory compounds against Viroporin proteins, elucidate their mechanisms of action, and build a platform that enables proactive responses to emerging and re-emerging viral infections. The specific objectives include: (1) conducting high-throughput screening (HTS) and functional assays to discover candidate Viroporin inhibitors, (2) performing structural and physiological analyses to define Viroporin activity and its impact on host cells, (3) verifying antiviral efficacy through cellular and molecular assays, and (4) applying Viroporin-focused studies to therapeutic development. The project proceeds in two phases: In Phase I, emphasis will be placed on screening and characterizing Viroporin inhibitors, evaluating their effects on channel function, and assessing physiological outcomes in vitro. In Phase II, validated candidates will undergo functional testing in cell-based systems, including efficacy verification against coronaviruses such as HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E, alongside mutational and structural studies (e.g., point/deletion mapping) to optimize target definition and inhibitor design. Through these efforts, the research seeks to deliver a systematic framework for the discovery and development of Viroporin-targeted antivirals that can serve as broad-spectrum and host-directed therapeutic solutions against viral diseases.