Danny Catts and Dr. Johnson

After we successfully characterized our virus, we proceeded to investigate the variant’s viral behavior in hopes of finding a difference in comparison to that of the standard. After preliminary steps showed little variation, we took a different direction with the project. Dr. Johnson who focuses in virology is studying an antiviral plant extract called Kalanchoe Pinnata. He provided some for our lab and invited us to investigate its antiviral properties. Seeing as our project didn’t seem to suggest much more significant data would come from the plan we had, we decided to take that approach. We have been investigating how Kalanchoe affects viral gene expression for the last 5 months. So far, we have found promising data that beg for further study. If our work continues to progress rapidly, as it has, we will be able to more fully explain how Kalanchoe inhibits viral activity on a molecular level. That knowledge will open the door to understanding future potential that the drug has in various other therapeutic uses.

The work that we did do with the HSV variant led to a publication in Virology Journal. That publication has been accessed online almost 1,000 times already since its publication in June. Also, I was accepted to present our findings at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research. It was an excellent opportunity where I was able to gain presentation experience as well as be exposed to great work being done by students at other universities.