Design and Synthesis of Potential Antibacterial Compounds
Faculty Sponsor
Jeffrey Pruet
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Chemistry
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-24-2024
Abstract
Bacterial and fungal infections are among the greatest causes of death worldwide. With the development of more adept antimicrobials comes resistant superbugs. Because of this, the need for new and alternative pathways for fighting these diseases is both necessary and prevalent. Previous students have worked with extracts of the Argemone mexicana plant to identify key molecules that give the plant its antimicrobial properties. Our work centers around berberine, one of the key molecules, and designing and synthesizing variants. The goal is to create and test bioactive molecules in order to discover new, more potent, antimicrobial drugs. Through different coupling reactions, reductions, aminations, etc. we have created new variants of berberine. We have tested different pathways and reaction conditions to enhance our product and yield. The reactions we perform will lead us to the development of new variants and new antimicrobial drugs.
Recommended Citation
Burton, Abigail and Pruet, Jeffrey, "Design and Synthesis of Potential Antibacterial Compounds" (2024). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 176.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/176
