Photo Credit: Diné College Tuba City Center (L to R Faylene Begay, Harrison Cayatineto, Dr. Shazia Hakim, Kaitlan James, and Neilroy Singer, First cohort MS Biology, Dine College Tuba City Center)
Prospective Approaches to Target Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Using miRNA-based Inhibitors
Diné College Student Conducts Groundbreaking Research
21st August 2024
Tuba City, AZ – With the surge in vector-borne infections worldwide, the United States has recently experienced an increase in the abundance and distribution of mosquito-borne infections. Factors such as the expansion of mosquito habitats, climate change, urban development, and extended travel are significantly elevating public health risks.
Flaviviruses are a family of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses that include Yellow Fever (YFV), Dengue (DENV), Japanese encephalitis (JEV), West Nile (WNV), Zika (ZIKV), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVDV), and Hepatitis C (HCV). These viruses are primarily transmitted through mosquito bites or contaminated blood products.
While vaccines exist for many of these viruses, some are still under development. Notably, Hepatitis C remains a major health concern as it is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and liver cancer. Currently, there is no vaccine available for Hepatitis C. Doctors combat Hepatitis C with antiviral medications that can cure the disease; however, the effectiveness varies across different HCV genotypes, maintaining its status as a public health threat.
Harrison Cayatineto, a standout student in the NSF-sponsored MS Biology program at the School of STEM, Diné College, is conducting groundbreaking research in Hakim's Lab. His work to identify a suitable target microRNA that can bind to the nucleocapsid protein gene of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) to inhibit viral replication is of utmost importance. BVDV serves as a widely accepted surrogate model for Hepatitis C, suggesting that a successful BVDV inhibitor could similarly target HCV. This research is engaging and crucial in the fight against Hepatitis C.
"This research is engaging and crucial in the fight against Hepatitis C. This research underscores the immense potential of microRNA targets and their use as antiviral agents and vaccines," stated Dr. Shazia Tabassum Hakim, Professor of Microbiology and Biomedical Sciences, "Cayatineto's first research review article marks a significant step in understanding and combating Hepatitis C through innovative scientific approaches, offering hope for future advancements in the field."
At Diné College, School of STEM, we invest in future leaders by providing hands-on research experiences, educational resources, mentorship opportunities, and technical skills development.
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