Articles tagged with Drug Discovery
Researchers at UGA have discovered a new small molecule drug that may serve as a treatment against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The compound works by interrupting the production of RNA, rendering the bacterium incapable of reproducing and spreading infection.
Researchers at the Buck Institute discovered how rapamycin inhibits mTORC2, a complex linked to metabolic side effects. The study suggests that manipulating FK506 binding proteins could selectively target mTORC1, reducing side effects and improving longevity outcomes.
Eve, an AI robot scientist, has demonstrated the success of its approach to speed up drug discovery and make it more economical. It discovered a compound that has anti-cancer and malaria properties, which could potentially improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Scientists at the University of Utah and Georgia have discovered a pharmacological target that could enable development of novel drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. The target is based on a unique pathway for making heme, an essential iron-carrying molecule specific to Gram-positive bacteria.
Researchers analyzed soils from five continents to discover potential antibiotic and anticancer drugs. They identified unique gene clusters in these samples that could lead to new medicines, including ones used to combat tuberculosis and cancer.
Ben-Gurion University researchers found that alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) treatment can halt bacterial colonization and spread, preventing severe infections. The study showed treated mice combatted lethal bacteria better than untreated mice, with virtually no bacteria left to grow.
Researchers developed a fast and accurate method for screening cancer drugs using gold nanoparticles, allowing for rapid profiling of various anti-cancer drugs and their mechanisms. This new sensor system uses three-channel detection to identify specific cell death mechanisms, enabling the determination of drug mechanisms in minutes.
A team at Recursion Pharmaceuticals aims to accelerate the development of therapies for rare diseases by leveraging custom-designed software and human cellular models. The approach has already led to the identification of potential treatments for cerebral cavernous malformation, a rare hereditary vascular disease.
A researcher at American University has constructed a three-dimensional computer model of a receptor protein linked to human growth, which may lead to the development of drugs to treat conditions such as gigantism and dwarfism. The study was led by researchers from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human D...
Professor Tania Watts' team is investigating how the immune system contributes to cancer, with the goal of developing a new drug target. The University of Toronto professor will work with GSK to test their hypotheses using resources and expertise.
The Structure-guided Drug Discovery Coalition receives a $2 million grant to develop new medicines for tuberculosis, malaria, and other neglected diseases. Researchers aim to fast-track the discovery of new treatments for these conditions, which affect over a billion people worldwide.
A new computational model helps researchers rationally design and select protein molecules to create effective biologic drug therapies with reduced side effects. The model reveals that the length of a DNA linker influences how well fusion protein components attach to their intended receptors.
A new review reveals that anti-cancer drugs must obtain regulatory approval, change physician prescription habits and gain patient compliance before being incorporated into daily practice.
Researchers at Northeastern University have identified nearly 800 chemical compounds that could lead to a cure for African sleeping sickness, a deadly disease claiming thousands of lives annually. The discovery was made through screening and testing over 42,000 chemicals against the parasites that cause the disease.
A new study examines changes in alcohol use among women with unwanted pregnancies and finds that most quit or reduce consumption upon discovery. However, some may substitute alcohol for drugs. The study's results highlight the need for interventions to help these women reduce their drinking while pregnant.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) have discovered a new molecule, Butelase-1, that can join chains of amino acids more efficiently and cleanly than existing molecules. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up the development of new drugs and treatments.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers used supercomputers and molecular docking to predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from off-target proteins. The computational model outperformed current statistical methods in predicting side effects, particularly in vascular disorders and neoplasms.
The number of antibiotics available for clinical use has declined to 96 from a peak of 113 in 2000, with the rate of withdrawals being double the rate of new introductions. Pharmaceutical companies are leaving the antibiotic space due to financial constraints and patent law, forcing research universities to step in.
Rong Xu's research aims to automate identification of drug effects using artificial intelligence, data mining, and machine learning on thousands of existing drugs and over 100,000 diseases. Her approach could lead to a more efficient drug discovery process with a lower failure rate.
Researchers developed a new test that determines which drugs are unlikely to work by analyzing their structural similarity to naturally occurring substances. The 'rule of 0.5' shows a strong correlation between marketed drugs and metabolites, indicating that molecules with low similarity are unlikely to succeed.
Researchers predict near-future treatments for chronic diseases and aging, targeting underlying biological processes. Innovative business models and flexible regulations are needed to accelerate these advancements.
A study published in Nature Genetics has identified a genetic marker that increases the risk of pancreatitis in patients prescribed thiopurine drugs. Researchers found that 17% of patients with two copies of the marker are at high risk, four times more than those with one copy.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have discovered a new drug compound, TC-2153, that inhibits the negative effects of STEP protein, which is key to regulating learning and memory in Alzheimer's disease. Decreasing STEP levels reversed cognitive deficits in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for treating the condition.
A recent study found that 32% of newer drugs received a black box warning or were withdrawn for safety reasons, compared to 21.2% of older drugs. The study suggests that the FDA's expedited approval process may have led to the release of unsafe drugs.
A NUS study shows that artesunate, a common anti-malarial drug, can effectively control asthma with improved treatment outcomes and lesser side effects. The research reveals artesunate's ability to suppress airway inflammation and produce anti-inflammatory effects similar to those of dexamethasone.
Researchers have identified six potential therapeutics for H7N9 influenza by targeting the immune response rather than the virus. The study found that viruses causing severe illness trigger different gene expression signatures compared to milder infections.
A study by Xavier Salvatella and Modesto Orozco reveals the existence of information highways in proteins, enabling new sites for drug interaction. This discovery has the potential to improve drug efficiency and discovery.
A new tick-borne bacterium, Neoehrlichia, has been linked to six cases of disease in Sweden, posing a significant risk to people with weakened immune systems. Researchers found that those over 50 years old with haematological or rheumatic diseases undergoing immunosuppressive treatment are most vulnerable.
Researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland discover a new anticancer compound, Cent-1, that kills cancer cells through a similar mechanism to Rigosertib. This breakthrough uses computer-assisted screening and cell-based assays to accelerate drug discovery and potentially lower development costs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that thousands of polyene compounds can be built from just 12 different chemical building blocks. This breakthrough could accelerate the discovery and development of new medicines by making synthesis more efficient and cost-effective. The team's findings, published in Nature Chemistr...
Advances in biological imaging enable scientists to identify the most promising new drugs and rule out those unlikely to work, potentially improving the success rate of cancer medicines. Researchers are using this approach to streamline the drug discovery process, reducing costs and side effects.
Rutgers University has secured a five-year, $26 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead the development of new antibiotics. The research effort aims to combat rising cases of antibiotic-resistant infections, which claim at least 23,000 lives annually in the US.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that the anti-seizure drug ezogabine reduced alcohol consumption in an experimental model, providing a potential new mechanism for treating alcoholism. The study suggests that drugs targeting the Kv7 channel may be effective in reducing drinking behavior.
Researchers at Griffith University's Eskitis Institute have developed a new technique for discovering natural compounds with therapeutic potential. The new screening process involves nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and has identified a potential lead in the fight against Parkinson's disease.
IDRI's drug discovery efforts continue with a $3.4 million grant extension from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding supports identifying new leads and drug targets for TB, a devastating disease killing 1.5 million annually.
SURA honors Dr. Jeffrey Skolnick, a renowned biologist at Georgia Tech, for his groundbreaking research on protein structure and function. His cutting-edge discoveries have the potential to dramatically accelerate and enhance the drug discovery process.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Vanderbilt University have created the most detailed 3-D picture yet of a membrane protein linked to learning, memory, anxiety, pain and brain disorders. The study focused on the mGlu1 receptor, which helps regulate neurotransmitter glutamate.
The University of Notre Dame has established a state-of-the-art research center for drug discovery and development, with the aim of improving lives worldwide. The Warren Family Research Center will support the translation of basic scientific discoveries into new therapeutics.
An international team has identified genetic mutations that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 65% in people with risk factors. These mutations may lead to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating the disease.
A €85 million program will develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens with expertise from universities and industry in Europe. Scientists will assess new compounds to determine their potency and molecular basis of action.
Researchers found that fever suppression increases the number of annual cases by approximately five percent, corresponding to more than 1,000 additional deaths from influenza. The study suggests that taking fever-reducing medications can actually increase the transmission of the virus.
A new study confirms that candesartan is just as effective as propranolol in preventing migraine attacks, offering a new treatment option for patients who have not responded to traditional medications. The study found that over 20% of patients experience relief even with a placebo, highlighting the potential of candesartan as a more co...
Robert Mahley and his team will use the funding to identify new chemical compounds that can target apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), the strongest genetic risk factor for developing Alzheimer's. They aim to develop small-molecule therapies that prevent apoE4's damaging effects on the brain.
A groundbreaking discovery in 1993 led to the development of a cancer treatment, Erivedge, which targets the hedgehog signaling pathway. The breakthrough was made by researchers investigating fundamental mechanisms regulating vertebrate brain development.
Researchers have developed a computational method that analyzes mouse behavior to categorize psychiatric drugs more efficiently. The algorithm, called Pattern Array, identifies complex behaviors in mice on various drugs and classifies them into six classes, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
A UNC School of Medicine researcher found that three specific drugs affect three different kinds of neurotransmitter receptors crucial in Fragile X syndrome. This discovery suggests that therapies acting through different receptors may improve behavioral symptoms and intellectual outcomes for people with Fragile X.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a combination of two drugs that can effectively treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The therapy uses cholesterol-lowering statin atorvastatin and osteoporosis medication zoledronic acid to block parasite replication and spread.
Researchers have created a man-made catalyst that can alter the chemical profiles of numerous types of small molecules, greatly speeding up the process of drug discovery. The catalyst, called iron CF3-PDP, can accomplish one of these alterations in about half an hour.
Biochemist Alex Evilevitch measures internal pressure of HSV-1, revealing key mechanism behind herpes infection and paving way for new medicine development. The discovery could lead to universal treatment for various viral infections, including cancer-linked viruses.
Charles P. O'Brien, a leading expert on alcohol dependency, is being honored with the French Legion of Honor Medal for his pioneering work in addiction treatment. He has made significant contributions to the field through his research, advocacy, and leadership.
Researchers at NHCS successfully reversed effects of hERG mutation in patient-specific heart cells, scoring a world's first. The discovery could revolutionize drug development and lead to a potential cure for the life-threatening condition within 5-8 years.
Researchers have discovered that a drug increasing sudden cardiac death risk interacts with mistranslated protein-coding genes in heart muscle. The study provides insight into how cardiac death risk might be increased by these drugs, opening the way for further research.
A new nonprofit initiative aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical trials, tackling the 'Valley of Death' in drug development. Emory University's DRIVE program invests in promising compounds with potential to become new drugs.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a series of chemical compounds that are highly potent inhibitors of dengue virus replication. The compounds will be further developed by Janssen into a first-in-class drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of dengue infections.
Researchers at MIT have developed nanosensors that can detect variations in binding strength of antibody drugs, enabling more efficient production. The sensors also measure weak interactions with sugar chains, which are essential for drug effectiveness.
A study found that a fifth of US neurologists are unaware of serious drug safety risks associated with anti-epilepsy drugs, which can jeopardize patient health. The researchers suggest better communication from the FDA to specialists and more systematic methods for doctors to receive updated safety warnings.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method for connecting molecules like drugs or polymers to thiols using the alkynes, allowing for quick and efficient alkynylation reactions. The breakthrough has far-reaching implications for chemical biology, drug design, and materials science.
A collaborative EU-funded project aims to discover and develop novel antifungal drugs to combat drug-resistant fungal infections, which kill two million people annually. The NOFUN project brings together partners to accelerate development of broad-spectrum antifungal agents with new modes of action.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered that removing a key protein can significantly improve the lifespan and neurological function of mice with Tay-Sachs disease. The findings suggest that FDA-approved drugs, readily available on the market, may help alleviate symptoms of the devastating condition.
Researchers at OHSU's Vollum Institute have discovered a new NMDA receptor subtype that is the most common at synapses, contradicting previous drug development efforts. The study suggests that this subtype may be a new target for developing effective therapies for neurological disorders.