Activation and Inhibition of Autophagy and the Lysosome

Team VIRAL is an undergraduate research team part of the Gemstone Honors Program at the University of Maryland, College Park. All members of the team are part of the class of 2026, and we conduct research with Children's National Hospital.

Our team has undertaken groundbreaking research focused on the activation and inhibition of autophagy and the lysosome as potential therapeutic avenues for addressing prenatal Zika virus infection. This research represents a significant contribution to our understanding of the complex interactions between viral infections, cellular processes, and potential therapeutic interventions.

Background:

Prenatal Zika virus infection is a global health concern due to its devastating impact on developing fetuses, often leading to serious neurological complications, including microcephaly. To address this urgent issue, Team VIRAL's research has delved into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying Zika virus infection during pregnancy.

Autophagy is a cellular process responsible for recycling damaged or unnecessary cellular components and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Lysosomes are essential organelles responsible for breaking down cellular waste and foreign invaders, like viruses. The team's focus on autophagy and lysosomes is rooted in the recognition of their pivotal roles in immune responses against viral infections.

What We've Accomplished:

We've been busy starting our research this past year, and we are excited to share many new updates! Since last fall, our whole team has continued to learn and refine new lab techniques relevant to our work. We have also had the opportunity to present in many unique settings, such as this year's Children's National Research, Education & Innovation Week, UMD Library Awards, and the Gemstone Do Good Showcase. Most recently, our team has also obtained IACUC approval to begin our main research experiments soon.

What's Next:

Team VIRAL continues to explore the dynamic relationship between the Zika virus and these cellular mechanisms. Our research aims to investigate how the virus may manipulate or evade autophagy and lysosomal pathways to facilitate its replication. This knowledge is instrumental in developing potential therapeutic strategies to disrupt the virus's life cycle and prevent its adverse effects on developing fetuses. Our next steps include conducting several experiments to collect data, and preparing for next year's Children's National Research, Education & Innovation Week, and UMD's Undergraduate Research Day!

Visit our website for more information! https://umdteamviral.weebly.com/

Follow Team VIRAL on Instagram to stay updated! @umd_teamviral

Through your donations and support, we can continue our research towards the development of novel treatments and preventative measures for prenatal Zika virus infection and similar viral threats!

Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.