Articles tagged with Drug Design
Researchers at Brown University and international partners have identified a potential Achilles Heel in the rare but deadly JC polyomavirus, which binds to a specific sugar molecule on brain cells. The discovery provides a powerful platform for developing new therapeutics to prevent infection.
Researchers at U-M are investigating adaptive clinical trials to improve the efficiency of clinical trials. The goal is to accelerate drug and device evaluation, improve safety for patients, and reduce costs. Adaptive clinical trials make adjustments based on accumulated data to identify effective treatments more accurately.
A massive international study found no association between a genetic marker and the risk of coronary artery disease. The study analyzed data from over 17,000 patients with cardiovascular disease and 40,000 others, concluding that carrying a particular variant of the KIF6 gene does not indicate a greater risk for the disease.
Onconova Therapeutics has agreed with the FDA on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for its Phase 3 trial of Estybon in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. The trial is expected to begin in Q4 2010 and will compare Estybon to Best Supportive Care.
Researchers have identified gamma-secretase activating protein (GSAP) as a key player in the formation of Alzheimer's disease-plaque beta-amyloid. Gleevec, a cancer drug, shows promise in targeting GSAP and reducing plaque production.
Researchers have collected venom from Antarctic octopuses for the first time, discovering four new species and uncovering unique properties. The study provides insight into the adaptation of venom to sub-zero temperatures, which could lead to breakthroughs in pain management, allergies, and cancer treatment.
A team of MIT chemists has designed a new way to attach trifluoromethyl groups to compounds, which could allow pharmaceutical companies to create and test new drugs faster and more efficiently. The new synthesis uses a palladium catalyst and achieved yields ranging from 70 to 94 percent.
Researchers found that pyruvate kinase enzyme is reduced in pregnant women, leading to a modified immune response. This discovery may lead to the development of drugs targeting pyruvate kinase activity to treat conditions like pre-eclampsia and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to predict how flexibility affects drug-like properties, enabling systematic manipulation of candidate drug molecules. The research aims to overcome issues of resistance, transportation, and oral bioavailability in drug design.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has granted $1.18 million to the University of Missouri to improve their protein prediction software, MULTICOM. The system can help scientists design drugs by predicting protein structures in diseases.
Researchers use powerful computers to identify molecular structures that have high potential as new medications by simultaneously targeting multiple hot spots on protein surfaces. This method has the potential to complement and increase efficiency of existing time-consuming methods.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new method to study intrinsically disordered proteins, crucial for designing drugs against Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer. The approach uses computational predictions and laboratory experiments to obtain structural information about dynamic proteins.
Researchers have designed an experimental drug called OSU-CG12 that kills cancer cells by choking off their energy supply. The agent targets a survival mechanism used by many types of cancer, and its efficacy is 10 times better than a comparable drug, resveratrol.
National health systems play a crucial role in making progress in global health, according to Julio Frenk. Strengthening these systems can improve performance by addressing leadership, institutions, systems design, and technologies.
Researchers at Emerald BioStructures have developed new allosteric small molecule modulators of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) with improved safety and efficacy. These discoveries validate the company's structure-based drug design capabilities for addressing previously undruggable targets in inflammatory diseases and cognitive impairments.
Researchers used computer search algorithms to identify fragments of FDA-approved drugs that could inhibit neuraminidase proteins, a key target for treating swine and avian influenza. The study suggests six compounds with potential as new medicines if emerging viruses develop resistance to current therapies.
Researchers developed a computer model to predict physiologically realistic drug delivery patterns from stents in branched arterial vessels. The model shows that spatial variation in drug distribution can be significant and may affect treatment outcomes.
Researchers design nanowire-based beads that release drugs in the gut, improving absorption and reducing degradation. The technology may also be used for delivering drugs to mucosal tissues like the nose, lungs, or vagina.
The Wellcome Trust has awarded €2.8 million to the Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy at K.U.Leuven to search for new treatments for dengue fever, a viral disease prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Researchers will collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry to develop medications for this deadly virus.
Researchers have developed a new drug, L803-MTS, that targets the GSK3 protein to prevent CNS diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The compound slows down disease progression without exhibiting toxic side effects, offering a potential therapeutic approach for these devastating conditions.
Researchers developed an optimized mouthpiece design to reduce medication waste and improve drug delivery to the lungs. The new design allows for more medication to pass through the mouthpiece, ensuring effective delivery of future inhaled medications.
Scientists have discovered the atomic structure of an enzyme responsible for DNA replication in human mitochondria, which can cause harmful drug side effects. By targeting a different region of the enzyme, researchers aim to design more selective and less toxic anti-HIV drugs.
A new decision aid tool, developed by Mayo Clinic clinicians and designers, helps patients with type 2 diabetes make informed decisions about their medication. The tool, a set of cards, involves patients in the decision-making process and leads to better patient-centered care.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered that proteins change structure and stick together to form structures believed to underlie ALS. The discovery opens the possibility of designing drugs to prevent misfolding and its fatal consequences.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that proteins have an intrinsic ability to change shape, allowing them to select the structure that permits the best binding. This discovery could lead to more effective treatment of diseases by designing compounds that target specific protein structures.
A team of MIT chemists has created a new synthesis technique that allows for the easy addition of fluorine atoms to aromatic compounds, commonly used in drugs. This breakthrough could lead to more flexible and cost-effective drug design and development.
Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine propose requiring drug manufacturers to state how new medications compare with existing treatments. The proposed labeling would help patients and insurers make informed decisions about treatment options.
A new study has developed a combination of biochemical and MRI-based biomarkers that will improve the measurement of osteoarthritis progression. The aggregate cartilage longevity marker outperformed individual markers in diagnosis and prognosis, allowing for more effective treatment trials.
Researchers discover potential drugs that block the first step in the infection process, preventing flu viruses from infecting cells. This breakthrough could lead to a new genre of antivirals and be used to develop treatments for other medical problems.
A Monash University study has discovered a critical link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes, revealing that fat cells release PEDF, which triggers insulin resistance. Blocking PEDF reverses these effects, suggesting a potential breakthrough in treating the disease.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a breakthrough in understanding how the commonly prescribed drug praziquantel works to treat Schistosomiasis. Praziquantel causes two-headed organisms by subverting normal regeneration, leading to the identification of key molecules that control its effects.
A TGen-led team has identified five genetic biomarkers that may predict response to the anti-diabetes drug Actos, enabling personalized medicine for patients with type 2 diabetes. These markers were found in genes associated with PPARG function and include variants in a key drug metabolizing gene called cytochrome P450 3A4.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new understanding of how chromosomes separate during mitosis, a crucial process in cell division. By manipulating chromosome size and observing its effect on movement, they validated the theory that polar ejection forces play a central role in guiding chromosome movements.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered the structure of P-glycoprotein, a protein responsible for cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. The study provides valuable insights into how P-gp transports substances out of cells and may lead to the design of more effective drugs.
The Journal of General Physiology explores the mysteries of TRP channels, which are crucial for various senses. The latest Perspectives series provides a comprehensive overview of their biophysics, protein structure, and gating processes, shedding light on areas in need of further exploration.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers reveals how and where the rhinovirus genome evolves to evade the human immune system and drugs. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective vaccines against this common cold virus.
Researchers developed small molecules targeting Hsp90 in mitochondria to induce tumor cell death. This combinatorial approach may be more effective than targeting single signaling pathways. Gene therapy also restored muscle strength in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy by anchoring nNOS to the sarcolemma.
Researchers have developed a new class of cancer drugs that target multiple signaling networks controlled by mitochondrial Hsp90, leading to effective tumor cell death in mice. This combinatorial drug design approach may prove more effective than targeting single signaling pathways.
CSIRO's DAC microscopy method measures proteins in solution, allowing accurate dimensions of membrane receptors to be taken. This will help drug companies design more effective pharmaceuticals by understanding the complex structures of these molecules.
Researchers explore approaches to preserve BBB function and permit effective medicine passage. One technology involves targeting endogenous nutrient transporters, such as SLCs, to facilitate small molecule transport across the BBB.
A study published in Health Affairs found that seniors in Medicare's doughnut hole gap reduced their medication use by 14% per month. The authors suggest mandating generic drug coverage to protect seniors and prevent potential healthcare costs from hospitalizations and physician visits.
Researchers at Oklahoma State University have made a significant breakthrough in understanding how poxviruses evade the human immune system. By unlocking the structure of a key protein, they may be able to design medications to stop the viruses from blocking immune signals.
Several herbal remedies commonly used for menopausal symptoms, such as black cohosh and red clover, lack strong evidence supporting their effectiveness. The study highlights the need for better-designed trials to assess the safety and efficacy of these herbal products.
A phase III trial found sorafenib to be effective in increasing overall survival by 6.5 months compared to 4.2 months in the placebo group, and prolonged time to progression and disease control rate. Sorafenib was generally well-tolerated with some side effects.
Researchers are exploring new techniques to combat visual impairment and blindness by delivering drugs through the eye. Alternative methods such as microneedles, nanoparticles and polymer carriers are being investigated to improve drug delivery and reduce side effects.
A team of researchers argues that the success of ACT in curing malaria demands a new approach to assessing new antimalarial drugs. The authors discuss the design and interpretation of clinical trials for new antimalarial drugs, emphasizing the need for improved efficacy and public health utility.
A new study by Rice University bioengineers provides a comprehensive mathematical analysis of virus evolution, incorporating gene swaps and recombination. The results suggest that designing drugs that force viruses to mutate themselves out of existence may be possible, potentially eradicating disease.
Researchers have identified five compounds that block the activity of the trypanosomal REL1 enzyme, which is crucial for the parasite's survival. The approach uses computational tools to predict the dynamics of proteins and test hundreds of compounds for their ability to inhibit the enzyme.
According to a study published in JAMA, approximately one in four approved biological medicinal products had at least one safety-related regulatory action issued 10 years after their approval. The average time to a safety-related regulatory action was 3.7 years, with 70.7% of actions occurring within five years after approval.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona and ICIQ have designed a compound that can stabilize the p53 protein, even when it has mutations that promote cancer. The study opens up a new approach for developing anti-tumor drugs.
A new Web-based resource is being developed to provide molecular data needed for computer-aided drug design. The resource aims to improve the prediction of potential drug candidates and advance biomedical research.
The University of Michigan is developing the Community Structure-Activity Resource (CSAR) database, a centralized repository of experimental data on drug-making compounds. This resource will improve computer programs that predict drug effectiveness and significantly impact the drug development process.
Scientists at Leiden University have discovered that receptor models commonly used in drug design may not be accurate, leading to a better understanding of how drugs work. The adenosine A2A receptor's crystal structure has been cracked, revealing a small molecule called ZM241385 with high affinity for the receptor.
Researchers at Penn State found that smaller grains require less force to initiate movement through sandy soils than larger ones. This discovery could lead to more efficient designs for power-line towers and industrial mixer blades in sandy environments.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that two common beta-blockers can stimulate a pathway that promotes cell survival and protects heart tissue. The study finds that alprenolol and carvedilol may have greater potential to repair the heart and prevent further damage.
Scientists have uncovered the 3D structure of Mps1, a protein that regulates chromosome number during cell division and prevents cancer. The discovery will help design safer and more effective therapies.
Researchers found that calmodulin uses two lobes to sense local and global calcium levels, allowing it to detect fluctuations within cells. This discovery sheds light on the universal means of communication in cells and has implications for understanding neural diseases.
Researchers are developing novel hit-to-lead drug discovery strategies utilizing a combination of high-throughput screening, miniaturization, and advanced data analysis. This approach enables the identification of promising compounds with increased efficiency, leading to faster and more effective disease treatments.
The OptiNose Phase II study demonstrated that its nasal device combination achieves rapid and efficient migraine relief without needle-stick injuries. The results show that 74.3% of patients experienced headache relief within 60 minutes and 83.8% after 120 minutes.
A single VSOP protein can carry protons, regulating pH conditions during pathogen removal, and may aid in designing new medications for innate immunity enhancement.