Scientists from IRB Barcelona have published a dynamic map of protein behavior, enabling the prediction of protein structures and interactions. The study, part of the MoDel project, aims to establish a 'fourth dimension' for protein structures, facilitating the design of new drugs and understanding of protein functions.
A new study by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute reveals that mRNA and protein regulator IRP1 form specific three-dimensional shapes when combined. This discovery could aid in designing medications targeting iron-related diseases such as hemochromotosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and Thalassemia.
Researchers have determined the APOBEC-3G protein structure, providing key insights into its role in the immune system and potential as a drug target. The study suggests that editing errors introduced by A3G can help defend against HIV, and future drugs may be designed to replicate this natural protection.
The University of Minnesota Center for Drug Design has been awarded a 5-year grant to study cyanide antidotes. Researchers aim to develop faster-acting treatments that can be taken before a cyanide attack, with the goal of improving outcomes for long-term survivors of acute poisoning.
A computer model of the stomach revealed a narrow path, dubbed the Magenstrasse, where food exits rapidly and particles are processed differently. This discovery may explain observed high variability in drug initiation time and have important implications for drug delivery and digestion.
Researchers found that Bmal1-deficient mice experience premature aging due to oxidative stress and genotoxic stress, leading to weight loss, organ shrinkage, and early death. The study suggests BMAL1 as a potential target for alleviating specific age-related pathologies.
Two medical researchers, Chen Ding-Shinn and Rao Zihe, have made significant contributions to understanding infectious diseases and developing a comprehensive vaccination campaign. Mathematicians Jacob Palis and C.S. Seshadri are recognized for their groundbreaking work in dynamic systems and algebraic geometry, respectively.
A new Medicare plan will create a significant gap in coverage for seriously ill patients, leaving them to pay out of pocket for expensive medications. This can lead to reduced treatment options and economic implications for healthcare providers.
A study published in Neuron found that stimulating brain cells increases Aß levels, while blocking neuronal activity decreases them. Cognitive activity may also affect Aß plaque levels.
Scientists from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a method to identify precise zones of proteins that cause aggregation, leading to potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and type 2 diabetes. The new approach may enable the design of more effective drugs by shielding or stabilizing these critical reg...
Researchers used tiny worms to study the genetic factors affecting anesthetic response, identifying 10 genes that modify its effects. This breakthrough aims to design more specific and effective anesthetics with minimal adverse effects.
Tomio Joins Blackwell Publishing to Advance Chemical Biology & Drug Design, Focusing on Smart Chemistry and Innovative Drug Development. Tomio brings extensive experience in small-molecule drug discovery and multidisciplinary research at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals.
K-State researchers are working on a new drug to treat cystic fibrosis by designing chloride-selective pores that can help ions travel across cell membranes. Their goal is to create a medication that works efficiently and effectively at low doses, improving the lives of those affected by the disease.
Scientists at JILA developed a method to study RNA dynamics, revealing the 'stickiness' between specific loops and sequences that stabilize folding. This information is crucial for understanding RNA structure and its effects on function.
Researchers discovered that mid-sized nanomaterials (27-30 nm) are optimal for cellular entry. This knowledge can help design drugs to keep viruses out and molecules to enter cells safely. The study's findings have broad implications for developing gene and drug delivery tools.
Athanasiou receives the inaugural award from ASME for his groundbreaking research and mentorship in bioengineering. He has published over 150 papers, holds 25 patents, and founded three companies with FDA-approved products.
The Burnham Institute will screen 2 million compounds against 20 disease targets per year, revealing specific compounds that interact with and inhibit disease-causing proteins. The new capabilities will accelerate the discovery of novel medicines for various diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new way to selectively block estrogen's effects using the Tamoxifen-like drug GW5638. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for breast cancer and other estrogen-related diseases without increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have developed a new understanding of the molecular structure and function of MsbA, a key player in drug resistance. The team used spin labeling to create a dynamic model of the protein, revealing its mechanism of action and opening and closing processes.
Penn researchers have determined the structure of Erbitux's binding site to cancer cells, providing new insight into how it blocks cell growth-promoting activities. This finding will steer future treatment design for colon-cancer medications and potentially lead to easier delivery methods.
Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert and her team have screened a large number of molecules to find peptide sequences with varying affinity for heparin, a sugar that binds nerve repair drugs. They aim to develop affinity-based drug delivery systems to stimulate tissue regeneration for conditions like nerve damage.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have engineered over 300 new chemical penetration enhancers (CPEs) to improve the safety and efficacy of topical drug delivery. The new CPEs were designed using computer-aided modeling, allowing for the prediction of skin penetrability and potential irritation.
A team of biomedical engineers and chemists at Boston University developed a computational tool that predicts the molecular targets of drug candidates. The tool uses a combination of computational and experimental methods to decipher regulatory networks and predict gene and pathway targets for various drug treatments.
Researchers Jordi Faraudo and Fernando Bresme discover hydration force's origins in water interactions with electrostatically charged molecules. Understanding this force is crucial for biomedical research and the development of new drugs and biochemical processes.
Researchers have developed a new compound, AMN107, that effectively blocks proliferation of Bcr-Abl dependent cells in CML patients. The drug has been shown to inhibit growth of cells expressing resistant mutants and prolongs survival in imatinib-resistant CML mouse models.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that nanoshells can amplify the Raman signature of molecules, allowing for the detection of as little as a few molecules of a target substance. The individual nanoshells act as independent Raman enhancers, creating opportunities for all-optical nanoscale sensors.
Scientists have developed a new method for crystallizing proteins, which could lead to the creation of effective drugs for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's. The improved method uses a thinner sponge-like structure to bind proteins together more easily.
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study by University of Houston professors found that employment reduces chronic drug use among female welfare recipients. Employment rates rose from five percent to nearly 39 percent, with a significant decrease in drug usage frequency.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill develop new technique to trap single water molecule inside protein molecule using mass spectrometry, improving inhibitor molecules for cancer treatment. The discovery may lead to more effective combination therapies with anti-cancer agents like cytarabine.
The development of nanomedicines has led to significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Thousands of patients are already benefiting from products used to treat conditions such as cancer, AIDS, and arthritis.
A recent study by Express Scripts reveals a significant surge in Viagra use among younger men, with increases of 312% and 216% among those aged 18-45 and 46-55 years respectively. Meanwhile, growth in use slowed among women and older men, highlighting concerns over the coverage of lifestyle medications like Viagra.
Researchers at UCSD have identified a promising set of inhibitors that may overcome drawbacks of previous compounds. The new molecules are less likely to cause side effects, such as one being the food additive Maltol.
The cytolethal distending toxin, a bacterial toxin that causes diseases such as typhoid fever and diarrhea, damages human DNA by creating lesions and breaks that prevent cells from dividing. This discovery provides a visual blueprint for understanding the toxin's mechanism and could lead to new drug targets to prevent cancer.
Researchers at U of T's Molecular Design and Information Technology Centre have created the first small molecules that bind to the insulin receptor, paving the way for oral insulin development. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for over two million Canadians with diabetes.
Negative clinical trial results from SSRIs go unpublished, while flimsy data support their use. Flawed trial design, secrecy in approvals process, and inadequate adverse drug reporting systems contribute to ineffective and unsafe drugs entering the market.
Scientists have solved the puzzle of DHFR-TS, an enzyme needed by Cryptosporidium for reproduction. The study's results will help researchers design targeted drugs to combat the parasite and better understand related protozoan families.
Researchers at Northwestern University identified a molecular basis for the cell's detection of miniscule amounts of copper in bacteria. This discovery may lead to better methods for removing toxic metals from the environment and improving our understanding of diseases related to copper metabolism.
Researchers found no evidence of persistent cytokine increase or link between cytokines and anthrax toxin effects, contradicting earlier beliefs. The study suggests that current efforts to design cytokine-suppressing drugs may be misguided.
Researchers are developing an automated search and retrieval process for drug names to minimize medication errors caused by soundalike words. The software will use intelligibility and perceptual neighborhood measurements to predict confusability scores.
A chemist's research creates tools to make complex drugs more efficiently, with potential breakthroughs in anti-cancer treatments. His work has led to licenses for pharmaceutical companies to study promising drug candidates.
Weizmann Institute scientists found that around 50 genes are optional, affecting a person's unique pattern of active olfactory receptors. This high level of genetic variation impacts how thousands of aromas and flavors are perceived. The study also shows varying levels of obliteration among different ethnic groups.
The Protein Data Bank has released the three-dimensional structure of the SARS virus protease, which will accelerate the search for effective treatments. The rapid processing enabled by PDB's technology will enable more efficient paths to developing drugs for treating SARS.
A research team led by Nathaniel Landau identified the interaction between HIV's Vif protein and APOBEC3G. The study found that mice have a similar antiviral protein that can block HIV replication due to its inability to recognize human proteins.
Researchers aim to develop anti-microbial drugs by targeting enzymes in microbial pathways that synthesize essential amino acids. Structural information of these enzymes will be obtained using x-ray crystallography, paving the way for designing candidate inhibitors.
A Pennsylvania chemist has won a prestigious national award for his groundbreaking work on peptides, which have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurological conditions. The researcher designed lactams, chemical bridges that stabilize peptides and make them less digestible to enzymes.
A team led by Prof. Lucio Frydman has found a way to perform multidimensional NMR with a single scan, significantly speeding up molecular studies and enabling the observation of rapid changes in molecules like protein folding. The new method uses a 'slicing' approach, simultaneously performing measurements on multiple thin slices of a ...
A study by Express Scripts found that stimulant prescription claims for school-age children are concentrated in the South and Midwest, with higher-income communities also showing higher usage. States like Louisiana had a rate of 6.5 stimulant prescriptions per 100 eligible, while the District of Columbia had a much lower rate of 1.6.
A study of Medicare prescription benefit plans found that higher copayments reduce the use of brand-name drugs and lower overall plan costs, but also increase enrollee out-of-pocket expenses. The research suggests that combining cost-sharing strategies with other cost-containment mechanisms can help balance these competing effects.
Distributed computing experiment simulates protein folding, predicting folding rates and trajectories. Laboratory experiments confirm predictions, showing excellent agreement with simulated data.
The 'Choices in Sports' website provides a comprehensive resource for student-athletes, coaches, trainers, and crew chiefs on substance abuse prevention. The site offers information on banned substances, psychology-based assessment tools, and strategies for promoting long-term success.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a haptic device called 'Touché' that allows chemists to feel the interaction between molecules, enabling more accurate drug design. The device enables simulation of large numbers of atom interactions in a short period, improving pharmacological research.
Research by Dr. Lisa Ellerby at the Buck Institute suggests that calpain, a naturally occurring enzyme, plays a key role in Huntington's disease progression. The study uses post-mortem tissue and cell culture models to show that calpain activation is involved in brain damage.
A UNC research team has shed new light on the classic 'lock-and-key' theory of drug action by discovering functional selectivity. The findings reveal that drugs can act as both agonists and antagonists at different receptors, allowing for more targeted treatment options. This breakthrough could lead to improved clinical effects with ex...
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that controls a 'failsafe' device in endothelial cells, which marks them for apoptosis and blocks abnormal new blood vessel growth. This discovery may lead to the design of new anti-angiogenic drugs or improved existing treatments.
Researchers have synthesized peptide mimics that may inhibit Pin1's action, which regulates cell division. The goal is to develop new anticancer therapies by targeting the cell-cycle-regulating enzyme Pin1.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center revealed the architecture of MAO B's active site and membrane binding sites, enabling improved drug design with increased specificity and fewer side effects. The study also highlights potential applications in treating depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered a natural protein called p22 that inhibits blood vessel growth, preventing tumors from growing. The study showed that p22 is released by cancerous cells and targets only those cells that help tumors grow, reducing the risk of metastasis.
Researchers have developed unique polymers that can stabilize liposomes, improving the solubility of hydrophobic drugs. These polymers also enable the creation of crystal-clear beauty products by altering the liposome solution.
A new bar coding system developed by Purdue University chemists can quickly identify the most biologically active compounds among thousands of candidates. The method uses standard spectrometers and reduces the laborious process to a few hours, cutting down time needed to identify active compounds to zero.
Scientists have solved the three-dimensional molecular structure of matriptase, a newly identified serine protease target for breast and prostate cancer drug development. This structural information is expected to facilitate the design of drugs that block or exploit the activity of matriptase and related proteases.