A team of chemists at Scripps Research has mapped over 300 small molecule-reactive cancer proteins and their binding sites, revealing key protein targets that can be disrupted with certain chemical compounds to halt cancer cell growth. The findings have the potential to lead to more effective and precise cancer treatments.
Scripps Research scientists discovered a molecule produced by roundworm intestines that signals the brain to slow fat loss when food is not available. The discovery sheds light on why fasting has benefits independent of calorie intake and may lead to new treatments for obesity and diabetes.
Researchers developed a new reaction using nickel as a catalyst to create polymers with unique structures and fine-tunable properties, opening doors for applications in drug delivery, energy storage, microelectronics, and beyond. The sustainable method holds promise for environmentally friendly polymer production.
A team of scientists from Scripps Research has developed an AI tool that can diagnose heart conditions, including heart attacks, using just three electrodes and a simpler electrocardiogram technology. The tool was tested on 238 ECGs and showed accurate clinical assessment results similar to those from original 12-lead ECGs.
The study tested wearable sensors and associated alerts to guide people's behavior, finding that personalized timing and symptom-based notifications led to higher self-test rates. The researchers also emphasized the importance of designing and clinically implementing new wearable sensors that track various health parameters.
A team of scientists at Scripps Research Institute has identified a group of neurons in the parasubthalamic nucleus that controls when an animal decides to take a first bite of food. The study found that these cells delay eating but hasten drinking, with implications for understanding eating disorders.
Scripps Research scientists have identified the posterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus as a key brain region involved in stress-induced oxycodone relapse. Exposure to suvorexant, which blocks orexin signaling, reduced drug-seeking behavior and prevented relapse.
Researchers conducted four preclinical studies indicating they're closer to an immunization regimen that could produce rare antibodies effective against a wide range of HIV strains. The findings build on a 2022 phase I clinical trial and represent a key step forward in an immunization strategy that could protect against the virus.
Researchers found that combining the immunosuppressive drug ruxolitinib with existing checkpoint inhibitor therapies boosts their effectiveness in fighting cancer. The treatment results in an increase in functional T cells and a reduction in myeloid suppressor cells, which are tied to poor prognosis of several cancers.
Researchers have discovered new potential drug targets for Alzheimer's by analyzing the electrical activity and protein levels of individual brain cells. The study found nearly 50 proteins associated with hyperexcitability in Alzheimer's neurons, shedding light on the disease's molecular drivers.
Scientists at Scripps Research have developed a potential drug-like molecule that blocks the first stage of type A influenza infection. The inhibitors target hemagglutinin, a protein on the surface of type A influenza viruses, and have shown improved cellular antiviral potency compared to previous compounds.
Researchers develop a new CRISPR screen technology to determine disease mechanism from tissues, accelerating analysis of neurological disorders. The method provides a way to rapidly examine brain cell types linked to key developmental genes, helping unravel genetic and cellular drivers of different diseases.
Researchers have successfully developed a broadly useful method for constructing gamma chiral centers on simple carboxylic acids using C-H activation. The new approach enables easy access to privileged structures for pharma industry drug discovery programs, potentially speeding up the development of new medicines.
Researchers from Scripps Research have enhanced an existing immunotherapy by removing the sugar coating surrounding solid tumors, allowing T cells to more effectively kill tumor cells. The tweak improves T-cell killing of tumor cells in mouse models, with promising results for treating solid tumors.
Scripps Research chemists develop a new set of copper-catalyzed reactions for building and modifying pharmaceuticals. The two-mode approach, inspired by human detox enzymes, offers a simple and efficient method for performing dehydrogenations and lactonizations on inexpensive starting compounds.
Scripps Research chemists devise a new method for making saturated heterocycles from inexpensive starting chemicals. The researchers demonstrated the power of their new method by performing an efficient synthesis of stemoamide, a complex plant-derived compound found in traditional medicines.
Scripps Research scientists have identified the role of polyphosphate in bacterial resting states, which can evade antibiotics. Blocking polyphosphate production may be an effective way to target slow-growing and non-growing phases of bacteria.
A team of scientists at Scripps Research and Calibr-Skaggs Institute has developed a lung-targeted drug to stimulate the growth of lung stem cells. The new findings provide a biological proof of concept for activating regenerative pathways and restoring damaged lung tissue.
A Scripps Research team has uncovered a simple and inexpensive way to produce quaternary carbon molecules using an iron catalyst. This breakthrough could benefit drug developers by making molecules cheaper and easier to produce at small and large scales.
Researchers have found that LY2444296, a compound blocking the kappa opioid receptor, significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms and alcohol consumption in rats with alcohol dependence. The study suggests that blocking this receptor could lead to new treatment options for people experiencing alcohol use disorder.
A Scripps Research team found that inhibiting stress neurons may decrease alcohol consumption in comorbid cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. However, this approach did not mitigate anxiety. The study suggests that CRF plays a role in alcohol use among those with comorbid PTSD and AUD.
Researchers have demonstrated novel proteins that can efficiently reach intramembrane targets using a customized computer-based approach. The study yields a general computational process for streamlining protein design aimed at intramembrane targets, opening up possibilities for therapeutic applications and understanding signaling mech...
Scientists discovered a plausible pathway for the formation of protocells, suggesting that phosphorylation may have occurred earlier than expected. This finding helps understand how early evolution took place and sheds light on the origins of life.
Researchers discovered an antibody that can block deadly toxins in snakes found throughout Africa, Asia, and Australia. The antibody protects against multiple snake species and has the potential to be used as a universal antivenom.
A Scripps Research team identified the energetic reactions in brain cells that malfunction and lead to neurodegeneration. They successfully restored many neuron-to-neuron connections in nerve cell models derived from human Alzheimer's patient stem cells by addressing a bottleneck in mitochondrial energy production.
Researchers developed a new technology to track when brain cells shut off, providing insights into normal brain function and diseases like depression and Alzheimer's. The technique identifies a protein called pyruvate dehydrogenase that is rapidly changed immediately after brain cells are inhibited.
Researchers from Scripps Research have developed a small molecule that blocks the activity of SLC15A4, a protein linked to autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease. The compound, FFF-21, successfully reduced inflammation in mouse models and isolated cells from people with lupus.
Researchers investigate a molecule in the brain tied to cellular communication, uncovering information about proteins that influence and do not influence alcohol drinking behavior. The study finds that preventing ethanol from interacting with a specific protein does not reduce or increase motivation to consume alcohol.
The new method reveals critical information about how to target proteins with small molecules, identifying over a thousand new locks and corresponding keys. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective therapeutics for nearly any human disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research have found a way to modify picrotoxinin, a plant-derived toxin, with improved properties, making it easier to synthesize and modify. The modified version, 5Me-picrotoxinin, shows better chemical stability and is safer for humans.
A new study from Scripps Research scientists and collaborators found that local transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was driven by travel between locations, not geographic proximity. The partial closure of the U.S.-Mexico border was ineffective in preventing cross-border transmission.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered algorithm that can detect the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) with high accuracy, even in people with infrequent AFib episodes. This new tool has the potential to reduce the incidence of stroke and heart failure by identifying patients at increased risk and guiding targeted interventions.
Researchers at Scripps Research have designed a novel flu vaccine that utilizes nanoparticles to present the M2e protein fragment, which is relatively conserved across different influenza A strains. The vaccine showed promising results in initial animal tests, providing strong protection against both seasonal and pandemic strains.
Researchers at Scripps Research have identified promising cancer drug targets by combining precise genome engineering and protein activity profiling. They used base editing to alter thousands of possible drug targets, then integrated the data with chemical proteomic information to pinpoint hundreds of potential targets.
Scientists have extended a powerful molecule-building method to the broad class of chemicals known as alcohols, enabling the transformation of simple alcohols into useful molecules. The new approach uses weak interactions between ligands and starting molecules, similar to those used by enzymes in nature.
A new study suggests that treating insomnia can prevent opioid relapse in rats, and potentially in humans. The experimental insomnia drug DORA-12 reduced withdrawal symptoms and prevented drug-seeking behavior in rats experiencing oxycodone withdrawal.
Researchers used super-resolution microscopy to study the sensory receptor PIEZO1, revealing its expanded conformation in response to mechanical stimuli. This finding could lead to future drug discovery applications for diseases associated with PIEZO1 defects.
Neuroscientists at Scripps Research have identified a specific cluster of neurons that work as a 'switch' for cold-related food-seeking behavior in mice. The discovery could lead to potential therapeutics for metabolic health and weight loss by targeting this brain circuitry.
Researchers at Scripps Research have identified a unique mitochondrial protein structure, DELE1, that plays a crucial role in activating the cell's integrated stress response. This discovery could lead to the development of new therapies for age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer.
A human antibody that targets carfentanil, fentanyl, and related opioids has shown promising results in reversing overdose effects in a preclinical study. The antibody, developed by Scripps Research, binds tightly to the potent opioid variants and reverses respiratory depression caused by carfentanil.
A new study reveals that the receptor PIEZO2 in sensory neurons plays a crucial role in controlling gut motility and transit time. This finding has significant implications for understanding gastrointestinal disorders and developing therapeutic applications.
A preclinical study found that the drug ADX106772 reduced oxycodone intake and relapse in animal models of opioid use disorder without disrupting other reward responses. The therapeutic was tested in rats trained to self-administer oxycodone and showed significant reduction in oxycodone intake for up to 12 hours.
Researchers have made key discoveries in a new stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, using patients’ own cells to replace lost neurons. The approach, called an autologous therapy, has shown promise in reversing symptoms of the disease in rat models and holds potential for clinical trials with improved success rates.
A Scripps Research study has developed a method to analyze T cells in blood samples to detect early signs of autoimmune disease that could lead to type 1 diabetes. This approach has shown 100% accuracy in identifying at-risk patients and may be used for personalized treatment.
A study by Scripps Research and University of Bologna found that excessive alcohol consumption accelerates cognitive decline in genetically susceptible mice. Gene expression analysis revealed widespread changes indicative of disease progression, including increased neuronal excitability and neurodegeneration.
Scientists at Scripps Research have determined the structure of the critical protein complex that lets Lassa virus infect human cells, identifying new antibodies and vaccine targets. The research also found a high level of conservation across different lineages of the virus, paving the way for more effective vaccines and treatments.
The new method enables the synthesis of BCBs with unprecedented ease through a formal [2+2] cycloaddition, achieving regioselectivity and expanding chemists' access to diverse BCB scaffolds. This breakthrough addresses the challenges of BCB synthesis and offers a promising route for pharmaceutical applications.
Scripps Research scientists develop a new strategy to identify small molecules that can alter protein function, offering a promising path for discovering targeted cancer drugs. By comparing how mirror image versions of small molecules impact clusters of proteins, they identified potential new drug targets such as MY-1B and EV-96.
A preclinical study found that suvorexant reduced prescription opioid intake and helped protect against relapse in rats modeling opioid use disorder. The insomnia drug could offer a promising approach for the millions of people affected by OUD.
A Scripps Research team found that both alcohol intake and withdrawal can lead to increased pain sensitivity in adult mice. The study suggests potential new drug targets for treating alcohol-associated chronic pain and hypersensitivity.