Date of Award

Spring 2021

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Honors Bachelor of Arts

Department

Chemistry

Sponsor

James Patrone

Committee Member

Brian Mosby

Committee Member

Laurel Habgood

Abstract

Many organisms are capable of producing organic compounds as secondary metabolites; these natural products can be quite pharmaceutically and medicinally relevant.1 Typically, the more unique an organism, the more unique its secondary metabolites. Cyanobacteria, an abundant microalgal organism, is capable of producing a myriad of novel natural products.2 The unique photosynthetic and autotrophic properties of cyanobacteria allow for the production of many secondary metabolites, including lipopeptides, amino acids, fatty acids, macrolides, amides, and others.2,3 Staphylococcus aureus is one the most common bacterial infections in the world.4 S. aureus produces a number of metabolites that inhibit host immune responses.4 As a result, S. aureus has become extremely resistant to not only host immune responses, but antibiotics as well.5 A recent discovery of three alkylphenols coined anaephenes A-C derived from cyanobacterium genus Hormoscilla found in Guam has prompted further research into their medicinal relevance.6 The structure of anaephene B is slightly different from its sister compounds with a higher degree of unsaturation due to a terminal alkyne.6 Of the three compounds, anaephene B is noted for its distinct antibacterial functioning towards Staphylococcus aureus; its synthetic replication and manipulation is the focus of this research.6

Rights Holder

Megan Johnson

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