Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Diabetic Drug Candidate Compounds In Vivo
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Major
Biomedical Science
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Grace Eder, PhD; Chris Trzepacz, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Chalcones are an organic molecule with many potential biological applications. Many of these chalcone molecules are in accordance with Lapinski’s rule of five, meaning they have the correct size and chemical makeup to be suitable for pharmacological application. As of April 2024, two chalcone molecules have been approved for drug use by the FDA, which has led many researchers to study the impacts of small changes on this structure to deduce the effectiveness of these molecules for alternative drug usage. Our lab has focused on the synthesis and application of two finely tuned chalcones in particular. These two show potential for the treatment of diabetes using bioactivity score prediction to show their ability to inhibit alpha glucosidase and alpha amylase enzyme activity. This inhibition should have impacts on delays in glucose uptake and carbohydrate digestion. While these two molecules have had extensive in vitro research relating to synthesis and biological study, there is a lack of in vivo research relating to the possible effects on larger biological systems. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) are transparent nematodes one millimeter in length. These organisms have a large brood size and short lifespan which makes them an effective model organism for life span comparisons. Through the use of LC50 tests, we will be attempting to determine the impacts of our two chosen chalcones across a dilution gradient on lifespan. Future projects could attempt to study the impacts on fertility, viability, and behavior. As C. elegans share the same insulin pathways as humans, future research could also indicate what impacts these chalcones have on that pathway.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Diabetic Drug Candidate Compounds In Vivo
Chalcones are an organic molecule with many potential biological applications. Many of these chalcone molecules are in accordance with Lapinski’s rule of five, meaning they have the correct size and chemical makeup to be suitable for pharmacological application. As of April 2024, two chalcone molecules have been approved for drug use by the FDA, which has led many researchers to study the impacts of small changes on this structure to deduce the effectiveness of these molecules for alternative drug usage. Our lab has focused on the synthesis and application of two finely tuned chalcones in particular. These two show potential for the treatment of diabetes using bioactivity score prediction to show their ability to inhibit alpha glucosidase and alpha amylase enzyme activity. This inhibition should have impacts on delays in glucose uptake and carbohydrate digestion. While these two molecules have had extensive in vitro research relating to synthesis and biological study, there is a lack of in vivo research relating to the possible effects on larger biological systems. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) are transparent nematodes one millimeter in length. These organisms have a large brood size and short lifespan which makes them an effective model organism for life span comparisons. Through the use of LC50 tests, we will be attempting to determine the impacts of our two chosen chalcones across a dilution gradient on lifespan. Future projects could attempt to study the impacts on fertility, viability, and behavior. As C. elegans share the same insulin pathways as humans, future research could also indicate what impacts these chalcones have on that pathway.