Articles tagged with Molecular Targets
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to identify the immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases and identified four new target molecules for personalized treatment of multiple sclerosis. This approach could lead to more precise treatments with fewer side effects, potentially benefiting other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers developed a disposable electrochemical sensor using graphite-based molecularly imprinted polymers to detect theophylline levels. The sensor can identify low concentrations of theophylline (2.5 μg/mL) in whole blood within 3 seconds, enabling real-time monitoring and potential overdose prevention.
The new computational tool, AF2Complex, predicts the structure of protein complexes and their interactions, offering insights into biomolecular mechanisms. The model is based on AlphaFold 2 and performs well in predicting protein structures and complex formations.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco have developed a comprehensive rule book for designing therapeutic cells with improved specificity and safety. The new receptor system, dubbed SNIPRs, is small enough for cost-effective engineering into human cells and can detect and respond to even small amounts of its target. T...
Scientists have developed a novel approach to targeting transcription factors, which could lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases. A peptide designed to target the Mediator complex has been shown to selectively inhibit p53, a critical gene in human development and stress response.
Researchers investigate plant-based meat substitutes to identify sensory weak points, finding muscle proteins emulsify fats and oils differently than plant proteins do. The study reveals fundamental differences in molecular structure and mouthfeel between meat and vegan sausages.
Researchers developed a bioinformatics platform called REFLECT to predict optimal combination therapies based on co-occurring tumor alterations. The tool selected combinations that resulted in improved patient outcomes across pre-clinical and clinical studies, leading to increased durable responses.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that ovarian cancer tumors activate FAK protein to regulate CD155 expression, creating a shield against immune detection and evading treatment. New molecular targets may boost immune response and lead to new combinatorial strategies for this disease.
Researchers have identified a key protein molecule that plays a major role in the accumulation of brain cholesterol, triggering Alzheimer's disease. The peptide inhibitor ATAD3A oligomerization promotes neuropathology and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease models.
Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a new technique called Transcription Block Survival (TBS) to accelerate the discovery of cancer-fighting drugs. TBS identifies molecules that can shut down dangerous proteins before they wreak havoc, by blocking their interaction with cell DNA.
Researchers integrated computer functions into rolling DNA motors, enabling them to sense chemical information, process data, and respond accordingly. The motors can be programmed to detect specific pathogens or DNA sequences, making them a potential technology for medical testing and diagnostics.
A new deep learning-based model called Highlights on Target Sequences (HoTS) predicts binding between drugs and target molecules, providing interpretable results. The model can predict target proteins' binding regions and interactions with drugs without a 3D complex.
Glioblastomas, the deadliest brain cancer, have evaded immune cells by promoting immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Researchers identified S100A4 as a key molecule that can selectively target these immune suppressive cells. This discovery paves the way for new therapeutic strategies to restore antitumor action in glioblastoma patients.
Researchers have uncovered a collaboration between RNA decay and chromatin regulating complexes that work together to control the levels of transposable element RNAs, preventing genetic instability. The study reveals an unprecedented mechanism of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation.
Hokkaido University scientists have identified CDK6 as a promising target for treating adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with the drug palbociclib. The combination of palbociclib with everolimus also showed significant tumor growth reduction and minimal side effects in mice models.
The Experimental Biology (EB) 2022 meeting features live presentations and a moderated Q&A session on groundbreaking studies. The virtual press conference reveals potential treatments for Parkinson's disease, COVID-19 vaccine-associated side effects, and alleviating food allergies.
A team of scientists created a powerful new method for generating protein drugs by designing molecules that can target important proteins in the body. The research yielded candidate medicines for cancer, diabetes, infection, inflammation, and beyond, offering a paradigm shift in drug development.
A Spanish national registry study found that over half of diagnosed lung cancer patients undergo biomarker testing, with a significant increase over the last five years. Nearly half of patients with positive test results received targeted treatment.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered a tissue-modifying molecule that can target intestinal stem cells and signal them to create Paneth cells, a rare but important cell type. This could represent a new therapeutic pathway for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and graft-versus-host disease.
BGE-175 effectively prevents death in a mouse model of COVID-19 by reversing immune aging, suggesting its potential to protect elderly patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The drug restores the immune system to a more youthful state by blocking the PGD2-DP1 pathway.
A clinical trial found that genomic sequencing enabled 107 patients to receive matched therapy, increasing treatment options for those experiencing cancer relapse. The study identified previously unknown mutations and showed promise for using circulating tumor DNA to identify targetable alterations.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has opened a new treatment arm in the NCI-MATCH trial for patients with DNA mismatch repair deficiency and LAG-3 expression. The trial is evaluating two immunotherapy combinations: relatlimab plus nivolumab and dabrafenib plus trametinib, both targeting BRAF mutations.
Researchers at Colorado State University are developing an RNA-based method for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds using gene-silencing technology. The goal is to create a non-genetically modified, shelf-stable spray that targets specific strands of RNA in weed cells, leaving crops untouched.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the precise molecular structure of siponimod, a multiple sclerosis drug, and its interactions with S1P receptors. This knowledge may lead to the development of more targeted therapies that reduce side effects.
Researchers developed a new technique called dual-detection impulsive vibrational spectroscopy (DIVS) to measure two distinct types of vibrational signals. DIVS enables synchronous measurement of THz- and fingerprint region vibrations, offering high temporal resolution for real-time chemical analysis.
Scientists have discovered a new therapeutic approach to aid the immune system in fighting cancer, offering hope for better solutions for patients. Researchers found that blocking the EP4 molecule can 'free' the immune system and restore its cancer-fighting functions.
Researchers have discovered the structure of C.difficile's protective armor, a chain-mail like layer that prevents molecules from entering the cell. This discovery opens the possibility of designing specific drugs to target the armor and kill the cell.
Cedars-Sinai investigators discover that inhibiting RIPK2 function with drugs or CRISPR/Cas9 reduces prostate cancer metastasis in mice, offering new hope for advanced prostate cancer treatment. Targeting this protein could extend patients' lives by several years.
A UC Riverside-led study has identified a potential antiviral therapy for SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses by targeting the papain-like protease enzyme. The research reveals that subgroup 2b PLpros selectively target specific host immune pathways, making them a promising target for future coronavirus therapeutics.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the EP300 gene and its role in small-cell lung cancer. The study found that the gene makes a protein with properties that can both foster and prevent tumor formation, providing a new potential target for treatment.
Northwestern University researchers used live imaging and computational tools to study the development of a fruit fly's compound eye. They found that cells move into position using mechanical forces, not just chemical signals. The discovery provides new insights into pattern formation in tissues.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have pinpointed a key driver gene, SARM1, that contributes to impaired vision and blindness. Deleting this gene shows promise in preserving vision, suggesting targeted therapies may offer long-lasting preservation of sight for various ocular conditions.
Scientists at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a molecular cage to study the structure of KIX, a protein used by AML cancer cells. The technique has successfully imaged KIX with cryo-EM, revealing new insights into its function and potential targets for therapy.
Researchers at Uppsala University have designed a molecule that inhibits the replication of coronaviruses, including the new variant, with great potential for developing an antiviral drug. The molecule has been shown to be effective against both old and new variants, offering hope for treatment options.
Researchers at UC Davis Health have developed an engineered antibody, FuG1, that can interfere with the cell-to-cell transmission ability of SARS-CoV-2. The approach targets the furin enzyme, which is critical for viral transmissibility, and could be added to existing SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktails.
Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a method to break down plastics and create stronger, more valuable materials. By modifying carbon-hydrogen bonds, they can expand the life span of single-use plastics into high-value polymers.
Researchers will use transcriptomics and chemogenetics to identify molecular targets for pain management. The project aims to advance knowledge on pain mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Researchers identified water molecules' impact on protein dynamics and drug target residence time, suggesting that a long target residence time can be important for drug efficacy. This understanding enables more rational drug design in the early stages of drug discovery projects.
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a molecule with significant potential to disable the COVID-19 virus. The molecule was discovered using high-throughput virtual screening and laboratory experiments, and its ability to bind to the virus's main protease was confirmed through structural studies.
Research reveals organic aggregates can emit polychromic and white light with high efficiency, opening up new avenues for OLEDs and encryption. However, more work is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and improve performance.
Researchers at the University of Victoria have developed a novel broad-spectrum antidote for neuromuscular blockers, consisting of double calixarenes that bind to blocker rods with high selectivity. The 'double chalices' do not block acetylcholine and other physiologically important amines.
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...
Researchers identified specific metabolic vulnerabilities in leukemia cell lines, including sensitivity to PI3K and fatty acid synthase inhibitors. The study highlights the potential for targeted cancer therapy by exploiting these dependencies.
A research team at Aarhus University has developed an RNA aptamer that attaches to the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, preventing it from entering human cells. This molecule is cheaper and easier to manufacture than current antibodies, making it a promising tool for detecting covid-19 infection.
The study used multigene sequencing to identify genomic alterations in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Patients with genomic alterations ranked as ESCAT I/II saw improved progression-free survival with targeted therapies matched to their genomic changes, while those without these alterations did not benefit from the treatment.
Chemists at UNIGE have developed a new method to rapidly generate millions of molecule combinations using DNA-pairing processes, finding the best match for target proteins within two weeks. This technique uses evolutionary forces to amplify the best combinations and generates diversity.
Researchers discover a unique subset of group 3 innate lymphoid cells that circulate in the bloodstream and infiltrate the brain, sparking inflammation in conditions like MS. Countering their activity could be a new therapeutic strategy for such conditions.
Researchers have developed a prostate cancer organoid that can mimic the patient-specific microenvironment, opening up new avenues for targeted treatments. The study reveals that extracellular matrix regulates EZH2 activity and efficacy of inhibitors, as well as identifies potential new therapeutic targets like DRD2.
Recent clinical and experimental data suggest that vascular calcification and bone loss share common pathophysiological mechanisms. The International Osteoporosis Foundation's new review elucidates the key associations between the two disorders.
Rice scientists developed a comprehensive approach to building better base editors, molecular machines that target and fix faulty DNA at single-base resolution. Their new strategy combines theory and experimentation to pinpoint binding energies and characterize deaminase interactions with ssDNA.
Using next-generation sequencing, researchers identified four major regulatory pathways and specific molecular effectors behind COVID-19 symptoms. The study may pave the way for a more personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that combining copper ions with a drug once used for treating alcoholism kills medulloblastoma cancer cells and prevents new ones from forming. The therapy also curtails the creation of cancer stem cells, which initiate tumor growth and recurrence.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a novel therapy that targets proteins essential for tumor growth and survival. Using a multi-omics approach, they identified peptides unique to neuroblastoma tumors, which are then targeted by peptide-centric chimeric antigen receptors (PC-CARs).
A team of scientists developed a drug-like molecule that can counteract the effects of mutated epigenetic regulators, which are known to drive certain types of cancer. The molecule targets the 'reader' CBX8, which is critical for the proliferation of cancer cells, but more dispensable in healthy cells.
Researchers used machine learning and genomics to identify molecular markers of resistance to sugarcane yellow leaf disease in over 97 sugarcane genotypes. The study found that energy cane varieties with higher fiber content are more resistant to the disease, paving the way for commercial launches.
A UBC-led research team discovered that SARS-CoV-2 attaches to and deactivates galectin-8, a sensor protein that protects cells against infection. By disabling this defense system, the virus can hijack host cells to produce more viruses.
Researchers developed a molecular agent that can target lung and other cancer cells for imaging and treatment, distinguishing between healthy and cancerous cells. The new approach uses a unique chemistry method to tune the reactivity of the molecule, avoiding off-target effects.
Researchers have identified a specific molecular mechanism that controls the transition from acute to chronic pain. Disabling an intracellular enzyme called N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) can halt chronic pain development in mice, suggesting a new class of drugs to treat various forms of chronic pain.
A UCI-led study identifies a glucosyltransferase domain as an ideal molecular target for therapeutic interventions against C. difficile infection. The research reveals the structural basis for Toxin B recognition of small GTPases Rho and R-Ras, offering new strategies to combat this deadly disease.
Researchers develop DNA Nanoswitch Calipers to measure distances within single molecules using force, enabling the identification of single proteins in samples. This technique creates a unique 'fingerprint' that can be used to identify known molecules or infer structural information about unknown ones.