Chemist Benjamin Miller has devised a way to create new drugs by using metal atoms to assemble countless combinations of molecules, then selecting the best candidates through a Darwinian process. This method shifts the burden of tedious drug development work off technicians' shoulders, offering a faster and more efficient approach.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified four human genes critical to cell division, which could lead to more effective cancer treatments. The genes are part of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) and play a crucial role in regulating mitosis.
Scientists at Indiana University have identified a new potential target for treating parasitic diseases in human cells. The discovery suggests that chloroplast-like plastids, which are found in single-celled parasites, may play an important role in the cell and could be targets for drug therapies.
A study published in Science journal demonstrates the efficacy of vascular targeting agents (VTAs) in treating large solid tumors. VTAs selectively occlude tumor vasculature, causing massive tumor cell death and advanced necrosis within 72 hours. The treatment is well-tolerated and results in complete or partial tumor regressions in mice.