LSU Health New Orleans announces groundbreaking research on Remdesivir’s Novel Immunological Effects

Written By Alicia Vial

Dr. Giulia Monticone’s work is published in EMBO Reports

NEW ORLEANS – LSU Health New Orleans is proud to announce the publication of a groundbreaking study led by Giulia Monticone PhD in the prestigious journal EMBO Reports.

The study’s publication is live at https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-024-00189-4.

This study unveils that the antiviral effects of the COVID-19 drug remdesivir are primarily due to a novel immunological mechanism rather than direct antiviral activity.

The study details how remdesivir’s novel immunological effects are mediated by a newly described mechanism. This discovery paves the way for a new class of drugs that enhance immunity while also targeting viruses, potentially improving the effectiveness of vaccines against viruses and cancers and boosting immunity against certain cancers.

Dr. Monticone, the lead author and a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Lucio Miele’s team, collaborated with investigators from several LSUHSC departments and Dr. Kellie Jurado at the University of Pennsylvania. This research was funded by the US Department of Defense (DOD) Discovery Award (W81XWH-21-1-0078) and marks a significant advancement in immunological drug development.

Collaborative efforts with Southern Research (Birmingham, AL) are already underway to develop and optimize this new class of agents.

“We are thrilled to have our work recognized by EMBO Reports,” said Dr. Monticone. “This publication underscores our commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of immunology and drug development.”

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About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment   and cure disease.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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