Articles tagged with Drug Design
Negative clinical trial results from SSRIs go unpublished, while flimsy data support their use.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.
Jeffery W. Kelly's work focuses on designing and utilizing small molecules to prevent neurodegenerative diseases similar to Alzheimer's but more rare. His team's molecular braces are now in preclinical trials for disorders like familial amyloid polyneuropathy.
UCB-Bioproducts is providing commercial quantities of bivalirudin for Angiomax, a thrombin-specific anticoagulant. The company's unique process technology enables the production of synthetic peptide-based APIs, and its regulatory support ensures compliance with FDA regulations.
Researchers have uncovered a biological program that prevents the development of pathogenic fungi under nitrogen-poor conditions. The unfolded protein response (UPR) mediates this morphological response and can be targeted to develop new anti-fungal therapies.
The virtual reality experience, Paved with Fear, simulates daily activities for psychiatrists to grasp the impact of auditory and visual hallucinations. Developed in collaboration with patients, this innovative technology provides a unique understanding of the condition, ultimately enhancing treatment effectiveness.
The journal features novel approaches to analyzing complex peptides, such as pramlintide, and developing injectable implants for sustained drug release. Liposomes are also explored as carriers for antimicrobial peptides like Leucinostatin A.
Scientists propose a revised four-point location model to explain how proteins discriminate between mirror-image molecules. This new understanding could significantly impact drug design, as it challenges the long-held three-point attachment model and may lead to more effective treatment strategies.
The event will cover hormone replacement therapies, phytoestrogens, common herbs and dietary supplements, and health promotion strategies. UCSF experts will provide guidance on managing menopausal symptoms and maintaining long-term health.
For the first time, researchers have designed a working molecular motor that can convert chemical energy into controlled motion. This breakthrough advances miniaturization technology to the single molecule level, with potential applications in understanding diseases and developing new treatments.
A human factors approach to interface design significantly reduces errors in patient-controlled analgesia. The redesigned device shows a 55% reduction in errors, an 18% improvement in performance time, and a strong preference among nurses.
Researchers have discovered the precise three-dimensional shape of the complex between tamoxifen and the estrogen receptor. This clarifies how estrogens turn on genes and shows precisely how tamoxifen blocks this process, setting the stage for intentional drug design with precise action.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists has recognized eight researchers with awards for their outstanding contributions to the field. Sung Wan Kim received the AAPS-Dale E. Wurster Research Award in Pharmaceutics for his work on controlled drug delivery systems, while Vincent H.L. Lee was honored with the Distinguished S...
A new approach to experimentation using computer simulation and rapid prototyping could significantly reduce development cost and time in the computer, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The study found that firms can save millions of dollars by switching between these methods at the optimal point.
Researchers at Yale University are using computer simulations to design more effective pharmaceuticals by optimizing chemical binding to target proteins. This approach has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for diseases such as dementia, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries.
The Cook GR II Coronary Stent has received FDA clearance for treatment of acute or threatened vessel closure in patients with failed interventional therapy. The stent features a flat metal design and low profile for improved radial strength and trackability.
A prison-release program for HIV-positive women successfully links clients with medical care and substance-abuse treatment on release from prison. The program resulted in a more than 50-percent decrease in the recidivism rate, with women experiencing reduced rates of return to prison within six months and one year.
A large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with mild asthma do not need to take albuterol regularly. The study suggests that using albuterol only during symptoms can effectively manage asthma without negative consequences.