Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Scientists uncover new information about cellular death process, previously thought to be irreversible

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new method for analyzing pyroptosis, a process of cell death previously thought to be irreversible. By using optogenetic gasdermin, they found that certain conditions can trigger pores to close within tens of seconds, suggesting the process dynamically self-regulates.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2022

New journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis study shows novel strategy to improve quality checking of generic drugs

Researchers devised a novel approach to unify quality assessment of generic drugs developed through different processes. The 'population pharmaceutical quality assessment' method uses computational modeling to evaluate process information, providing a scientific tool for objective quality consistency evaluation.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 3, 2022

Botox injections may reduce anxiety

Researchers found that Botox-treated patients reported anxiety significantly less often than those undergoing different treatments for similar conditions. The data used was from the FDA's Adverse Effect Reporting System and showed a 22-72% lower risk of anxiety for four out of eight conditions and injection sites.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 21, 2021

Now scientists can efficiently screen billions of chemical compounds to find effective new drug therapies

Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have created a process that increases the chances of finding effective drugs in a fraction of the time and at significantly less expense than current methods. V-SYNTHES, a virtual method developed by Vsevolod Katritch and colleagues, uses synthons to efficiently puzzle t...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 15, 2021

Biased signalling for better drugs

Researchers at PSI have developed a platform to measure biased signalling in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), enabling selective therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. By testing specially designed bivalent ligands, they can bias signalling towards desired pathways.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

Improving drug options for colorectal cancer patients

Researchers have discovered that a common class of targeted therapies can help more colorectal cancer patients than previously thought. By analyzing cell studies and computer modeling, the team identified 10 distinct RAS mutations that do not preclude the use of EGFR inhibitors, which are already approved for other uses.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 14, 2021

Doctoral student finds alternative cell option for organs-on-chips

A doctoral student at Texas A&M University has discovered blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) as an alternative to induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) for organs-on-chips, offering a cheaper and more accessible option for patient-specific research. The new cells can be isolated from just 50-100 milliliters of blood and have sh...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeNews article·DateDec 10, 2021

Experimental compound, which has received orphan drug and pediatric rare disease designations from the FDA, displays effectiveness in treating symptoms of Autism and Alzheimer’s disease

An experimental drug called NAP has been found effective in treating a broad spectrum of symptoms related to autism, intellectual disability, and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers discovered that NAP normalizes brain function in mice modeling ADNP syndrome, a rare disorder linked to these conditions.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateDec 8, 2021

These tiny liquid robots never run out of juice as long as they have food

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed water-walking liquid robots that can retrieve and deliver precious chemicals autonomously. The robots use chemistry to control buoyancy and do not require electrical energy, making them ideal for applications such as chemical synthesis and drug delivery.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021

‘Transformational’ approach to machine learning could accelerate search for new disease treatments

Researchers developed transformational machine learning (TML) to learn from multiple problems and improve performance while learning. TML out-performs current machine learning methods for drug design, accelerating the identification and production of new drugs.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2021

Biased beta-agonists may provide better control of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases, drug discovery study shows

A University of South Florida Health-led team discovered a lead candidate that selectively relaxes airway smooth muscle cells with no detectable drug desensitization. The biased beta-agonist, C1-S, offers a therapeutic option for asthma and obstructive lung diseases without the rapid loss of effectiveness seen with traditional β-agonists.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Chemistry breakthrough leads way to more sustainable pharmaceuticals

Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a new method for synthesizing primary amines, used in over half of all pharmaceuticals, significantly reducing energy usage and chemical waste. This breakthrough aims to speed up drug discovery by making it easier to synthesize new chemical structures for testing.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Study uncovers mechanisms of drug side effects

A study at Weill Cornell Medicine reveals how drugs can affect membrane-spanning proteins, causing unwanted side effects. The researchers found that membrane-associated drugs can interact with these proteins in multiple ways, leading to changes in membrane characteristics.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2021

SLAS Technology’s October issue featuring “Establishment of a robust platform for induced pluripotent stem cell research using maholo labdroid” now available

A new platform was established for induced pluripotent stem cell research using Maholo LabDroid, demonstrating superior reproducibility and flexibility. The system enabled the cultivation of undifferentiated iPSCs for 63 days and achieved high differentiation rates with minimal variability.

NeuroVision Imaging Inc. announces additional funding from the ADDF to accelerate development of novel blood-based lab test to predict dementia before clinical onset

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation has provided NeuroVision Imaging Inc. with additional funding to accelerate the development of a novel blood-based lab test that can predict dementia before clinical onset. This technology has the potential to make diagnostic testing more practical, less invasive and less costly.

Existing drugs kill SARS-CoV2 in cells

Researchers have identified several drug contenders that can block or reduce SARS-CoV2 infection in cells, including lactoferrin and MEK-inhibitors. These findings suggest potential efficacy against COVID-19 variants, with ongoing clinical trials to examine their ability to reduce viral loads and inflammation.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

First 3D-bioprinting of entire active tumor

Researchers at Tel Aviv University successfully printed the first entirely active and viable glioblastoma tumor using a 3D printer. The 3D-bioprinted model includes functional blood vessels that simulate a real tumor, making it a promising tool for predicting treatment efficacy and drug development.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 18, 2021

Scientists with the help of computer modeling discover a substance that blocks coronavirus

Researchers at South Ural State University used computer modeling to identify a substance that can block the spread of coronavirus. The study found that ligands must match RNA polymerase as closely as possible to be effective, and scientists have developed an equation to test other ligands' effectiveness on receptors.

SourceSouth Ural State University·JournalMolecules·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 16, 2021

Berkeley Lab science snapshots

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have made significant breakthroughs in developing a highly effective COVID-19 antibody therapy and an efficient thermoelectric system that can convert waste heat to electricity. The new antibody, S309, has been shown to neutralize all known SARS-CoV-2 strains and may be more difficult for new mutants to escape.

Hunting for TB's most vulnerable genes

Scientists at Rockefeller University have discovered that essential gene targets in TB bacteria can be ranked by their degree of vulnerability to antibiotics. The study found that ideal targets are highly susceptible to inhibition, while invulnerable genes can withstand nearly total inhibition. This research provides new insights into ...

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateAug 2, 2021

When stubborn bugs refuse to make drugs

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used comparative metabologenomics to study the genomes of Streptomyces bacteria and identify key factors that influence drug production. The study found that fine-tuning of specific nucleotides can control antibiotic production, offering new insights for next-generation drug discovery.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2021

Controlling asymmetry for drug synthesis

A team of scientists has developed an iridium-catalyzed hydrogen addition method to control asymmetry in drug synthesis. This approach reduces wasteful by-products and enables targeted synthesis with high precision.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

COVID gets quantum treatment for drug discovery

Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory used Stampede2 to refine the screening of potential drug molecules targeting COVID-19's spike protein. The method, developed by Stephan Irle and Van Quan Vuong, uses quantum mechanics-based ranking refinement and binding analysis to identify top candidates for further testing.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·DateJul 5, 2021