PR LUQ Newsletter
June 2003

From D.J. Lodge

The attached PDF file is of a paper sent to me by one of my collaborators at Merck Research Labs, Gerald Bills. This paper by Hiranthi et al (2003), discusses the activity of a fungus that was cultured as a result of the leaf litter fungal diversity study we published in 1996 (Polishook, J.D., G.F. Bills, and D.J. Lodge. 1996. Microfungi from decaying leaves of two rain forest trees in Puerto Rico. J. Indust. Microbiol.17: 284-294.).

The Hiranthi et al. paper shows the activity of a fungal metabolite derived from a fungus, Cytospora sp., on decomposing leaves of Manilkara bidentata at El Verde. The compound derived from this fungus is active against the HIV-1 virus.

The citation is:
Hiranthi, J., Z. Guan, J.D. Polishook, A.W. Dombrowski, P.J. Felock, D.J.
Hazuda, & S.B. Singh. 2003. Isolation, structure, and HIV-1 integrase
inhibitory activity of Cytosporic acid, a fungal metabolite produced by
Cytospora sp. J. Nat. Prod. 66: 551-553.

From Jess Zimmerman

There is good news regarding facilities at El Verde Field Station. Firstly, we have purchased a communications system for the station that will bring phone and data to both the main field station and the Streamhouse. This should be installed within the next three months. Secondly, we expect construction of the new dormitory at El Verde to begin in the month of July. The building will contain four two-bedroom apartments for a total occupation of 16. A second, small building will house laundry facilities.

Good luck to everyone at the Site Review!

Jody Potter
Research Technician
Dept of Natural Resources
University of New Hampshire
215 James Hall
Durham, NH 03824
(W) 603-862-2341
(C) 603-512-9981