Precision Medicine Thursdays at Venture Café
Attendance is FREE. Registration available at the event.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, Precision Medicine Thursdays at Venture Café have moved to Zoom.
Speakers
John E. Tavis, PhD Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University
Challenges of Drug Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Drug development to address an ongoing epidemic presents serious scientific, regulatory, and ethical challenges. Success depends on the infectious agent’s biology and pathology, plus geographic considerations. Drug discovery for COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV2 has benefited from prior studies on Ebola Virus, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. This has led to emergency approval of remdesivir and ongoing clinical trials of other re-purposed drugs or drug candidates. However, the dangers of hurrying drug development are highlighted by risks associated with chloroquine’s use for COVID-19.
Amelia K. Pinto, PhD Assistant Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University
COVID-19 Research at Saint Louis University
In conjunction with the Saint Louis University VTEU we are working on the development of assays to understand critical aspects of viral infection, pathogenesis and immunity in healthy and at-risk populations and on the ongoing remdesivir trial at SLU. Specifically using in vitro assays and small animal models we are looking to identify molecular markers of pathogenesis and factors that affect viral host-range and virulence. For immune responses we are using clinical samples as well as small animal models to identify and characterize the innate, cellular and humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.