Experiment background 02

 Lectins are found in most living organisms. Our research examined literature available on the lectins found in marine organisms such as cyanobacterium. 

The key to the antiviral activity of certain lectins may be found in their atomic (Crystal) structure.

The first antiviral lectin that came to our attention was scytovirin.

 Scytovirin was isolated from the cyanobacterium (prokaryote) Scytonema Varium.  Scytovirin is a 95 amino acid single polypeptide chain. It can be produced as a recombinant protein in E-Coli.  In our study of the papers on Scytovirin, we looked at the structure and later we also examined the structure of other lectins shown to have strong anti-viral activity.  We look for how they have similarities and also look at the structural differences between them.  We ask how they interact with cells to block viruses from entering the cell.  This leads us into related studies i.e. virology, the study of viruses where we learn about the different types of viruses and how they work.  We can then understand how the anti-viral is able to stop a virus.  It is a different approach than making vaccines. 

Please note when reading these lab notes, this is not a paper by any means.  I am a relatively pure biohacker.  Before 2014, I had not even taken a high school biology course.  This is really my first experiment.  This experiment is my classroom, my thesis, my trial by fire.  I hope that at the end it will provide some improvement in the knowledge base and also I’m excited at the possibility of making a new discovery.  I have spoken with a few scientists that I respect and think are brilliant.

Almost all of them have warned me about the difficulty of this undertaking, and most have tried to dissuade me from proceeding.  Besides the ones listed on the team here, there are others who for various reasons wish to remain anonymous and this is something that I completely respect and it is no problem for me, so if I designate these scientists with an x, y or z, please bear with me.  There are different opinions and some controversy about biohacking, DIY science, and citizen science.  What is important is the mentoring scientist's patience and willingness to help me to work on this goal, as advisors or in the lab.  After some thought I think it is best to limit these lab notes to those dear backers who have supported the project, and later publish a more watered down version on

 http://nenufarmolecules.blogsp...

Please feel free to hit me up with any comments or questions that you have.  You are a very important part of this project and its future depends on you.  I like to think that life experience has taught me how to improvise and to do a lot from meager resources.  I don’t have a multimillion dollar budget as I am told should be in place to do this.  I think I can get a good ways down the road on the budget I have put together and stretch it. 

Thank you team, both those by light of day and those hidden in the shadows, from the bottom of my heart.  Please keep up your constructive criticism - it is something I welcome.  I am learning (slowly) about the rigors of science.