Researchers use a novel light activation technique to turn modest molecules into powerful protein destroyers, expanding the search for new therapies. The new technique, CALI, uses a 'warhead' molecule capable of inactivating nearby proteins when triggered by light.
Researchers found similar connectivity between genes in normal individuals and schizophrenia patients, but a significant link between aging and gene expression patterns was discovered. Age-related aberrant regulation of developmentally related genes might explain at least part of the manifestation of schizophrenia.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered that the old drug closantel may be useful in combating river blindness by inhibiting the molting process of the parasite. This finding holds tremendous potential for the treatment of this neglected tropical disease, which affects over 37 million people.
Researchers created a comprehensive map of DNA methylation in human stem cells, identifying previously unknown patterns and associations between methylation and gene expression. The study provides a significant step towards understanding the regulation of cell differentiation and development.
Researchers identified two compounds that bind to novel parts of the HIV protease enzyme, which could improve potency of existing treatments and combat drug-resistant strains. These findings open a new approach to drug design against HIV protease, targeting non-active sites that may help restore effectiveness against resistant superbugs.
Researchers at Scripps Institute create a novel screening technique for large compound libraries, enabling efficient identification of high-affinity protein ligands. The innovative approach combines bead display and microarray analysis, allowing for rapid comparison of binding affinity without tedious re-synthesis.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a potential new way to stimulate the immune system to prevent or clear a viral infection by blocking a key protein in mouse immune systems. This approach may enhance the effectiveness of human vaccines designed to prevent viral infections.
A Scripps Research Institute team discovered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a crucial role in alcohol dependence. Blocking CRF with antagonists blocked addiction symptoms and increased sensitivity to treatment, suggesting a new approach for substance abuse treatment.
After years of effort, a team from The Scripps Research Institute has finally achieved the synthesis of Palau'amine, a naturally occurring compound with pharmaceutical promise. The breakthrough involves 25 steps and utilizes an oxidation reaction that simplifies the process, paving the way for further research and potential commercial ...
Cancer cells co-opt the fat metabolism pathway to produce free fatty acids, promoting aggressive behaviors and potentially linking obesity to cancer progression. This discovery offers a new target for treating malignant cancers and preventing cancer progression.
Prions, infectious protein particles devoid of DNA, can develop mutations and adapt through natural selection, leading to drug resistance. The study suggests that normal prion proteins may be more effective therapeutic targets than their abnormal forms, offering new hope for treating deadly neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent study developed a straightforward technique to determine the ethnic origin of stem cells, finding that Caucasian and East Asian populations are overrepresented in current cell lines. The team created a new stem cell line with a West African Yoruba genetic profile, which could lead to more diverse research and safer therapies.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded $1.2 million to develop high-throughput screening tests that will help identify potential small molecule therapies for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. The project aims to modulate the activity of the LRH-1 receptor, which plays a crucial role in hormone-driven breast cancer.
Researchers solved a 10-year-old mystery of how a single protein can have two distinct roles, providing insight into potential therapeutic for cancer and eye diseases. The protein, human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS), has a functional switch that enables it to perform different functions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered the chemical basis for why cells develop extra checkpoints to correct errors during protein production. The study reveals that the active site of a key enzyme, AlaRS, is flexible and can bind both larger and smaller amino acids, explaining the 'serine paradox'.
Scripps Research scientists have determined the structure of the Ebola virus's critical protein VP35, which blocks the human immune system. The discovery may lead to new drug therapies and vaccines for Ebola infection.
A Scripps Research Institute team restored partial function to lung cells collected from patients with cystic fibrosis, opening a door to new therapies for this and other chronic diseases. The breakthrough uses a compound called suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) to correct protein misfolding.
A new method for breaking carbon-hydrogen bonds has been developed, revolutionizing the synthesis of natural products and therapeutic drugs. The technique, called 'layman chemistry,' uses common table salt and inexpensive materials, reducing waste and complexity.
A Scripps Research Institute study describes a new approach to identifying molecules that prevent autoreactive T cells from attacking the body. The method uses peptoids to visualize binding antibodies and has the potential to create new therapeutic discoveries for autoimmune diseases like MS and blood cancers.
Scientists have discovered a direct link between insulin and core body temperature, finding that insulin injection in specific brain areas increases metabolism, brown adipose tissue activity, and core temperature. The study suggests a potential therapeutic area for future drug design and new insights into obesity and diabetes.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute found that cycling between sweet and regular food can activate the brain's stress system, generating overeating, anxiety, and withdrawal-like symptoms. The study suggests a vicious circle of compulsive eating and anxiety, where repeated dieting can lead to increased stress levels.
Researchers at Scripps Research and UC San Diego have solved the structure of a critical molecule that helps plants survive during droughts. The study provides important clues about how hormones regulate crucial physiological responses in humans, potentially improving crop yields worldwide.
A consortium of institutions, including Scripps Research Institute, has received a $12.2 million grant to develop a national network for researchers. The VIVO network will link researchers across the country and world, making it easier for them to find each other and collaborate on scientific breakthroughs.
Scripps Research scientists have made a breakthrough in creating stem cells from adult human tissue using three small drug-like chemicals. The new technique is 200 times more efficient and twice as fast than conventional methods, solving two major challenges in the development of stem-cell-based medicine.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute will combine two advanced technologies to screen massive peptoid libraries in parallel fashion, increasing the rate of ligand discovery by several hundred times over current methods. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize the search for new therapies.
Scripps researchers have discovered the Nbs1 component of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 complex, which helps cells repair severe DNA damage. The complex is critical in preventing cancer development and can also repair diseased cells targeted by chemotherapy.
A Scripps Research team has identified histone deacetylase 3 as the key enzyme target for a potential Friedreich's ataxia drug. The findings could lead to treatments for related conditions like Huntington's disease and improve understanding of the disease.
Scripps Research scientists successfully corrected a genetic defect in mice with cystinosis, a rare and devastating disorder. The treatment involved bone marrow stem cell transplantation, which significantly reduced cystine levels and improved symptoms.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a genetic cause of progressive hearing loss, linking it to the Loxhd1 gene. The study found that mutations in Loxhd1 lead to degradation of hair cells and disruption of hearing processes.
Two new broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have been discovered to target the HIV virus, providing a promising lead for AIDS vaccine development. The newly found antibodies, PG9 and PG16, attach to a novel site on the virus, making them more accessible for vaccine design.
A study by Scripps Research, UCSD, and University of Oslo teams found that genetic variations in the MECP2 gene correlate with brain structure, particularly in males. The research opens up new avenues for understanding autism and other neurological conditions, and may lead to potential treatments.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered that two separate functions—alanine adding and editing—were joined together in a single enzyme during early evolution. The findings show that the C-Ala domain enhances collaboration between the aminoacylation and editing domains, making them work together synergistically.
Scripps Research scientists discover a new drug tafamidis that significantly halts disease progression for patients with Transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy. The drug targets protein misfolding, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for this rare inherited disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified three proteins called Toll-like receptors as necessary for the autodestruction that occurs in autoimmune diseases like lupus. The study suggests that these TLRs may be good targets for therapy, potentially leading to new treatments for lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers have created a genetically modified fruit fly that mimics key features of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. The study may reveal new information on how the disease develops in humans and provide a tool for discovering potential new drugs.
A team of scientists used fluorescence technique to find a bacterial protein can shift between two stable structures, one active and the other inactive. The discovery sheds light on how proteins regulate cellular activities through shape-shifting.
Scientists have revealed the structure of the HIV protein shell, providing a close-up look at its unique honeycomb arrangement. The discovery may help identify new ways to block HIV infection and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
The Arlene and Arnold Goldstein Family Foundation has donated $1.5 million to support research at Scripps Research Institute, aiming to develop new drugs for transthyretin amyloidosis. This collaboration will also explore senile systemic amyloidosis, a type of the disease affecting a quarter of the population 85 years old or older.
A Scripps Research team has created a chemical system that assembles and disassembles itself without enzymes, mimicking DNA. The system uses peptides and nucleobases, potentially shedding light on the emergence of life on Earth.
Scientists have found a novel way cells fix damage to their DNA, which may also limit the effectiveness of chemotherapy agents. The discovery sheds light on a previously unknown protein called ATLs and its role in connecting two DNA repair pathways.
Researchers uncover molecular mechanism that enables tumor cells to attract new blood vessels continuously in the brain, even when oxygen is still abundant. The discovery could provide a basis for therapies targeting activated integrin alpha-vbeta3 to inhibit metastatic brain disease.
Researchers at Scripps Florida have created a faster method to distinguish between different infectious prion strains, which can cause diseases in animals and humans. The new approach reduces the time lag for identification from six months to four months, allowing scientists to accelerate research and better understand disease risks.
Researchers at Scripps Institute have identified a molecular defect involved in hearing loss, which sheds new light on the workings of mechanotransduction. This finding may lead to better understanding of similar processes and defects that cause disease.
Researchers identify cowpea mosaic virus's target protein vimentin, a key step towards using the virus as a drug delivery agent. The discovery may lead to targeted treatment of tumors and potentially prevent infectious diseases.
Researchers at Scripps Research develop molecules that can evolve and compete for resources, demonstrating niche partitioning in coevolution. The study shows how different species adapt to specific food sources over time, a classic concept in Darwinian evolution.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute successfully generate embryonic-like stem cells from adult cells using chemical programming, overcoming safety concerns associated with genetic manipulation. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize personalized stem cell-based medicine for various diseases.
Researchers at Scripps Florida's Department of Cancer Biology have won multiple grants to study Notch3, ornithine decarboxylase, and vinculin, focusing on immune system regeneration and cancer prevention. This funding supports studies on gene expression, enzyme regulation, and cell-cell adhesion complexes.
A Scripps Research Institute team has successfully synthesized kapakahines, marine-derived natural products with anti-leukemia potential, in large quantities for the first time. The breakthrough allows research on the compound to proceed, potentially leading to new drug treatments.
Researchers found Rad60 DNA repair factor mimics SUMO to maintain genome stability during replication, preventing genetic defects and promoting cell viability. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of genome protection and potential implications for cancer and aging.
Researchers have determined the molecular structure of a plant photolyase protein similar to two cryptochrome proteins controlling the human clock. The study reveals key differences between human and plant cryptochromes, shedding light on the complexities of the human sleep/wake cycle.