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Researcher find fats galore in human plasma

A national research team led by UC San Diego scientists created the first lipidome of human plasma, discovering hundreds more fats than previously known. The findings reveal lipids' diverse roles beyond energy storage and cell membrane building, including signaling molecules that may play a role in diseases like diabetes and cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateOct 14, 2010

Marine biomedicine researchers decode structure of promising sea compound

Marine biomedicine researchers have deciphered the structure of a naturally produced ocean-based compound hoiamide A, which offers a novel template for drug development. The findings suggest that hoiamide A may interact with neurons in different ways, potentially leading to therapeutic effects for diseases such as epilepsy and neurodeg...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateAug 28, 2009

St. Paul researcher receives national award

Philip Portoghese, a medicinal chemist at the University of Minnesota, has received the Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry from the American Chemical Society for his work on opioid receptors. His research reveals how drugs such as morphine interact with these receptors, enabling the creation of new, more effective drugs.

Fusing organic synthesis and inorganic materials chemistry: making more than the sum of its parts

University of Toronto researchers have successfully integrated organic molecules and inorganic materials at the molecular scale, creating a new class of composite materials. These hybrid materials have unique properties that could improve their hardness, thermal and electrical insulation, or light emission and magnetism, paving the way...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateDec 22, 1999

University Of Pittsburgh Chosen By NCI As One Of Three Pioneer Sites ForBiocombinatorial Chemistry Research

The University of Pittsburgh has been chosen as one of three pioneer sites for biocombinatorial chemistry research, a revolutionary approach to speed up drug discovery. Researchers will create novel chemical compounds and test them in specific assays to learn whether they can interrupt cellular activities that lead to cancer.

Clever Chemistry Protects Beetle Babies

A team of Cornell University researchers discovered that beetle pupae can create hundreds of deterrent compounds using combinatorial chemistry. The pupae secrete these complex chemicals through microscopic body hairs, thwarting most predators and ensuring their survival in the field.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateJul 16, 1998

Human Metabolite Of Taxol Synthesized In The Laboratory

Researchers have synthesized the major human metabolite of Taxol, 6-alpha-hydroxypaclitaxel, for the first time in a laboratory setting. This breakthrough will enable easier identification and quantification of the metabolite in complex mixtures, crucial for maximizing the clinical effectiveness of paclitaxel.

Tighter Chemical Binding = Better Meds

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.