Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
Zoltan Takacs, a herpetologist and toxinologist, has been named National Geographic Emerging Explorer for 2010. He develops toxin-based drugs from venomous snake toxins, which have the potential to treat various diseases including cancer, circulatory disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers used PET probes to monitor immune cell function in mice with a retrovirus-induced sarcoma. The study found that two different PET probes detect distinct immune cell populations, primarily innate immune cells and active CD8+ T cells.
A recent study found that age-related cortical bone loss is a significant contributor to osteoporosis, with 80% of fractures in old age occurring at cortical sites. Researchers propose targeting cortical bone loss as a potential strategy for reducing fracture risk and improving treatment outcomes.
Dr. Joel Hirsch's research provides new information on how calcium channels work and offers a framework for designing drugs that can modulate them to provide relief from chronic pain. The discovery has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions such as backaches, sore limbs, and arthritis.
Researchers have developed compounds that inhibit bacterial enzymes with longer residence times, correlating with improved in vivo activity. This discovery may lead to the development of agents for non-invasive bacterial imaging using positron emission tomography.
A new study from Children's Hospital Boston finds that TRPV3 is a key regulator of skin and hair growth, leading to thinner, less intact skin when knocked out. The researchers suggest that stimulating TRPV3 activity could lead to new treatments for skin conditions, hair growth, or unwanted hair growth.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered how two proteins manipulate nerve cells to send pain signals, offering a new target for painkillers. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and safer pain treatments by targeting peripheral nervous system.
Researchers have discovered a new drug that targets the root cause of painful menstrual cramps, called dysmenorrhea. The compound, VA111913, has shown promise in Phase II clinical trials and could be available to patients in four years if studies continue to show positive results.
LCZ696, a new dual-action drug, has been shown to provide significantly greater reductions in blood pressure than the established ARB valsartan. The drug's dual mechanism of action, blocking both angiotensin II and neprilysin, may offer superior benefits for treating hypertension and heart failure.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a new way to grow arteries using a drug that inhibits a specific signaling pathway. This breakthrough could lead to a non-invasive 'biological bypass' option for patients with coronary artery disease.
A new study by Johns Hopkins scientists found that Notch-blocking drugs can kill brain cancer stem cells in mice, with a 70% reduction rate. However, further experiments suggested that additional therapies or increased dosage of Notch-blocking drugs may be necessary to target all cancer stem cells.
Acute stroke care has improved significantly at hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program, with overall composite care improving from 72% to 93%. Hospital participation made a big impact on stroke death rates, reducing the risk-adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality by 10%.
Scientists created oil droplets that can solve complex mazes using pH gradients, potentially helping cancer drugs reach tumors and nano-machines move accurately. This technology could be used to design new anti-cancer drugs and improve the navigation of futuristic nano-machines.
Researchers found that random fluctuations in gene expression can cause some individuals to express a trait even if they have the mutated gene. This phenomenon is controlled by specific fluctuations in mRNA production and appears to be influenced by environmental factors.
A new multi-targeted treatment regimen combining chemotherapy and targeted drugs improves progression-free survival and tumour response in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. The study found a clinical benefit rate of over 90% with manageable side effects.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a potent inhibitor for malaria parasites and disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis. The compound, PPP, is 1,000 times more potent than previous inhibitors and targets an enzyme called IspH, which promotes the synthesis of essential compounds.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified several FDA-approved agents that can shift cellular energy metabolism processes, including an over-the-counter anti-nausea drug, meclizine. This approach may offer new therapeutic strategies for treating heart attack and stroke.
A new instrument called PIB-PET effectively detects amyloid-beta protein plaques in the brains of living people, predictive of who will develop Alzheimer's disease. The study confirms the sensitivity of the tool and provides strong evidence supporting the 'amyloid hypothesis'.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have identified Plasmepsin V as a key survival protein used by the malaria parasite to transform human red blood cells. This discovery offers a clear target for developing a new class of anti-malarial drugs that destroy the parasite, providing hope for combating the disease.
Scientists have identified a new mechanism that helps the body burn more energy, leading to increased fat burning and lean muscle mass. The study suggests that targeting the Fyn kinase enzyme may offer a promising approach for developing new weight loss treatments.
A targeted antiviral medication program, combined with aggressive hand sanitization and surface decontamination, was associated with containing the spread of H1N1 in a summer camp setting. The study found that the program reduced the attack rate of the virus from 1.8% to zero among campers.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia identified neogenin as a key player in regulating iron levels, providing a new target for drugs to treat iron deficiency and overload. Studies showed that neogenin inhibits the secretion of an RGM gene called hemojuvelin, which controls circulating iron levels.
Researchers have developed targeted nanoparticles that can deliver medicine directly to damaged artery walls, potentially eliminating the need for arterial stents in some patients. The nanoparticles, called nanoburrs, release their drug payload over several days and can be designed to target specific areas of damage.
Researchers at University of Helsinki and Paul Scherrer Institute determine crystal structure of VEGF-C ligand binding domain with its receptor complex, providing new insights into cancer cell growth and metastasis. The findings support the use of blocking VEGFs as a strategy to inhibit tumor growth.
A new international study has found that ustekinumab is more effective than etanercept in treating moderate to severe psoriasis. Ustekinumab showed a 75% improvement in symptoms in 67.5% and 73.8% of patients, compared to 56.8% for etanercept.
Researchers have developed a novel way to trace mutations in HIV that lead to drug resistance. By comparing sequences of HIV from treated and untreated patients, they identified clusters of mutations that help the virus escape treatment. This breakthrough could enable doctors to tailor drug cocktails to individual patient strains.
A new drug, SPC3649, developed by Santaris Pharma, targets liver cells and showed a substantial drop in blood levels of the virus in animals, continuing to work after treatment stopped. The study also suggests that this technology could be useful for treating other diseases like HIV, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
A study published in Science reveals that SPC3649 successfully inhibits miR-122, a microRNA important for hepatitis C viral replication, significantly reducing the virus in the bloodstream and liver of chimpanzees chronically infected with HCV. The therapy's unique mechanism of action sets it apart from direct antiviral treatments.
Researchers have discovered a novel way to target bacterial DNA gyrase, an essential enzyme for bacterial survival and growth. The new antibiotic molecule, simocyclinone D8 (SD8), uses two heads to bind to the enzyme, making it 100 times more potent than single-headed versions.
A Brandeis study directly visualizes protein structures crucial for enzyme catalysis at high-energy states, suggesting new molecular sites for potential drug targets. The research reveals the importance of protein dynamics in enzyme function, offering insights into protein function and potential avenues for targeted drug design.
Thomas Jefferson researchers have found a novel mechanism by which drugs can block HIV-1 from entering host cells, targeting the gp41 protein. The study reveals that fusion inhibitors induce irreversible deactivation of gp41, and suggests strategies to improve the effectiveness of existing treatments.
Beta-blockers targeting both alpha- and beta-receptors offer the most benefit to cardiac patients, while those targeting only beta-receptors can harm the heart's structure and function.
Thalidomide's mechanism of causing limb defects has been linked to its impact on angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels. This understanding paves the way for developing safer treatments for diseases like Leprosy, Crohn's Disease, and AIDS.
Researchers discovered a major metabolic switch in fruit flies that plays a key role in alcohol tolerance and found direct translation to humans. This discovery provides a crucial explanation of why some people tolerate alcohol better than others and offers a potential target for preventing or eliminating alcoholism.
Harris Wang won $25,000 for faster cell programming tool MAGE, while Stephen Diebold received a prize for improved pointing stick for people with quadriplegia. Other graduate and undergraduate winners were also announced for their top work.
The new centre will investigate mechanisms of pain in arthritis, develop new treatments, and target individual patients. Researchers will use a multi-disciplinary approach to gain a better understanding of how people experience pain.
Researchers at Duke University have found a new mechanism of bone formation that works without inducing bone breakdown, suggesting a targeted approach to fighting osteoporosis and other degenerative bone diseases. The discovery involves the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) pathway and beta-arrestin molecule.
Abatacept, a new biologic drug, is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis by blocking immune cell actions, reducing pain and swelling. The review of seven trials found significant improvements in patients' symptoms and joint health, with no progression of joint damage at 12-month follow-up
A new polymer has been developed that can deliver genetic cargo into cells and track its movement using luminescence and magnetic resonance imaging. This breakthrough could lead to more specific and targeted treatments for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that resveratrol improves diabetes by targeting the brain, potentially leading to orally-delivered medications. Activating sirtuins in the brain mediates resveratrol's beneficial effects, which could lead to more effective targeted diabetes treatments.
Researchers identified two core structures, a negative feedback loop and feed-forward loop, that enable cells to adapt to changing environments. These findings have potential applications in targeted drug development for complex diseases like diabetes and cancer.
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.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that larger clusters of Amyloid β-protein are more toxic to nerve cells, but smaller clusters outnumber them and are more common. This finding provides a new target for therapeutic drug development.
New research by MIT cancer biologists shows that tumor mutations can predict chemotherapy success. Genetic profiling of tumors can help doctors tailor treatments to each patient. The study identified specific genes and their interactions to determine how well cancer cells respond to chemotherapy.
New DNA and RNA aptamers have shown promise as treatments for various diseases, including macular degeneration and cancer. Their ease of production, stability, and chemical modifications enhance their drug-like properties.
Researchers have discovered a key link between protein CCKR2 and progastrin-related colonic hyperproliferation. Deletion of the Cck2r gene in mice with human progastrin overexpression abolished colonic hyperproliferation and reduced colorectal cancer, suggesting CCKR2 as a viable target for treatment.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that infected cells produce viruses specifically at the point of contact between cells, making cell-to-cell transmission efficient and deadly. The study identified a possible weakness in this transmission chain by finding a sticky protein that docks with uninfected cells.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a molecule, miR-21, playing an early and important role in the development of nonsmoking lung cancer. The study found that miR-21 levels were high in both early and late-stage tumors, suggesting it happens early in cancer development.
A novel drug Dz13 has been shown to reduce heart muscle damage after a heart attack and protect the heart's pumping action. The drug targets the c-Jun gene, which is responsible for inflammation and muscle death in the aftermath of a heart attack.
A team of researchers has identified a protein that breaks down an appetite-suppressing peptide, leading to reduced food intake in mice. Mice lacking the protein were leaner and less likely to become obese on high-fat diets.
The complete genome sequence of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm causing devastating disease, has been published. Researchers have identified potential new drug targets and explored ways to treat and eradicate the disease.
The genomes of two parasitic flatworm species causing schistosomiasis have been sequenced, revealing potential drug targets and enzymes that can be targeted with drugs. The research may lead to new treatments for the debilitating disease.
Scientists have developed a novel protein stabilisation technique using nanoparticles, enabling detailed analysis of previously inaccessible membrane proteins. This breakthrough could lead to more effective drugs and open up exciting possibilities in therapeutic drug discovery.
Researchers identified an enzyme called Idol that destroys the LDL receptor, allowing more 'bad' cholesterol to circulate in the blood. By blocking Idol's activity, cells produce more receptors and absorb more cholesterol from the body.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered a new method to treat the flu by targeting two critical parts of the virus, hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). This approach has shown strong binding potential to both H and N, offering hope for future flu drugs.
Researchers at USC and Rhenovia Pharma will use large-scale computer modeling to predict synergistic interactions within glutamate systems that might be targets for new drugs. The goal is to find a way to home in on specific neural cells without disturbing others, addressing malfunctions in diseases like schizophrenia.
Researchers at USC have identified a new compound that targets both tumor cells and surrounding blood vessels, potentially leading to more effective treatment options for brain tumors. The study found that the compound reduced tumor growth and blood vessel density in animal studies.
A recent study reveals that cells use a sophisticated communication system to coordinate responses to infection and maintain inflammation in the body. The team discovered that NF-kappaB, a biological machine that coordinates inflammation, uses an FM signal to communicate with surrounding cells.
New Brown University research suggests nicotine interferes with multiple cellular interactions, potentially developing new treatments for various diseases. The study identified 55 proteins interacting with the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor, which may have broader roles in the body than previously thought.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new biological indicator, RIP1, that may help identify the most aggressive forms of adult brain cancer. High levels of RIP1 are commonly found in glioblastoma tumors and are associated with poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy.