AIU Research Showcase 2025 - Irosha NAWARATHNE

Описание: Irosha Nawarathne (PhD), Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas, USA

Biomedical Research in a Liberal Arts Setting: Local Efforts, Global Lessons

Undergraduate research provides a valuable teaching opportunity due to its inspiring and interactive nature. At our laboratory, based at a liberal arts college in Arkansas, we focus on developing antimicrobial and antineoplastic agents by chemically modifying biologically significant, multi-functionalized natural products and their scaffolds, and by evaluating their biological responses.
Specifically, we have synthesized a series of C8-modified rifamycin and benzoxazinorifamycin (bxRif) analogues to target multi-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and virulent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Inspired by the naphthoquinone scaffold found in various commercial antineoplastics, we have also developed a range of new compounds by incorporating functional groups such as azido, alkynyl, and triazole into the medicinally valuable naphthoquinone core, starting from precursors such as 1,4-naphthoquinone, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone), and rifamycin S. These compounds show promising activity against Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Importantly, our structural modifications have altered the electronic and redox properties of two of the precursors, resulting in helpful preliminary toxicology tests with healthy human cells proving our hypothesis. The mechanism(s) of action in lung cancer cells are still under investigation through our ongoing global and structural proteomics research.
Conducting high-stakes biomedical research within a private, liberal arts setting, particularly in a rural region, presents unique challenges, including the need for sustained extramural funding and the cultivation of mutually beneficial collaborations. Nevertheless, these efforts are underscored by a deep commitment to inclusive mentorship, diversity, and advocacy against discrimination in training the next generation of biomedical researchers.
This presentation will highlight both the scientific discoveries and the institutional realities of conducting biomedical research in a liberal arts environment, demonstrating how faculty-mentored, undergraduate student-driven, locally grounded efforts can contribute to globally relevant outcomes.
This project was supported by the Arkansas INBRE program, with a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, (NIGMS), P20 GM103429 from the National Institutes of Health.