Pathogens | Interview with the Authors of Editor’s Choice Article—Prof. Andreas J. Kungl and Ms. Paula Peinsipp

Prof. Andreas J. Kungl is a professor at the University of Graz in Austria. In this interview, Prof. Kungl and Ms. Paula Peinsipp described how extracts from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection at the cellular level. Surprisingly, a “green” algae extract with very low astaxanthin content (<0.2%) also showed strong antiviral activity, suggesting that the antiviral effect is not exclusively due to astaxanthin but involves other bioactive compounds—with fatty acid domains acting as activity-chaperoning factors. They also shared the story behind the project, the challenges of working with a highly hydrophobic compound, their plans to develop a drug-like therapeutic from the extract, and their advice for younger researchers: follow your curiosity, build a team, and plan your career path early. 

Article title: “Antiviral Activity of Haematococcus pluvialis Algae Extract Is Not Exclusively Due to Astaxanthin”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/8/791 

The following is the interview with Prof. Kungl and Ms. Paula Peinsipp: