Discovering

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCHER

Mario Canki , Ph.D
Assistant Professor
e-mail: cankim@mail.amc.edu

Phone: 518-262-6070
Fax: 518-262-6161

Education

1995 - Ph.D from New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ

Current Research

Our laboratory focuses on translational research of HIV-1 pathogenesis and mechanisms of virus inhibition by novel class of natural small molecules. We investigated a large number of natural products, and from Sargassum fusiforme we isolated and identified several new inhibitors that block virus during different stages of its replication life cycle. Palmitic acid, which binds to the CD4 receptor and blocks gp120-to-CD4 fusion and HIV-1 entry and infection, is being investigated in preclinical studies towards a microbicide application. Several other molecules are being studied to determine their activity and mechanisms of action.

References

1. Lee DY, Lin X, Paskaleva EE, Liu Y, Puttamadappa SS, Thornber C, et al. Palmitic Acid Is a Novel CD4 Fusion Inhibitor That Blocks HIV Entry and Infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2009.



2. Paskaleva EE, Lin X, Duus K, McSharry JJ, Veille JC, Thornber C, et al. Sargassum fusiforme fraction is a potent and specific inhibitor of HIV-1 fusion and reverse transcriptase. Virol J 2008,5:8.



3. Paskaleva EE, Lin X, Li W, Cotter R, Klein MT, Roberge E, et al. Inhibition of highly productive HIV-1 infection in T cells, primary human macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes by Sargassum fusiforme. AIDS Res Ther 2006,3:15.