Articles tagged with Small Molecules
Engineers at University of Chicago have developed fire-safe, recyclable liquefied gas electrolytes for temperature-resilient lithium-metal batteries. The new technology broadens the choice of electrolyte solvent molecules, enabling excellent low-temperature performance and high-voltage cathodes.
Researchers developed efficient metal-free polymeric scintillators for high-resolution X-ray imaging, outperforming conventional anthracene-based scintillators. The polymers exhibit multicolor radioluminescence and high photostability, enabling applications in radiation detection, medical diagnosis, and security inspection.
A new type of RNA structure targeting tool has been developed to specifically recognise unusual four-strand RNA structures associated with diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. The L-RNA aptamer-based rG4 targeting approach shows promise for developing new therapeutic tools.
Researchers have discovered a new sleep molecule, microRNA-137 (miR-137), that regulates hypocretin levels for normal sleep. The study found that miR-137 is associated with hypocretin regulation and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and insomnia.
Researchers at the University of California - Santa Cruz have made a breakthrough in developing an antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning. A novel treatment has been shown to rescue CO-poisoned red blood cells and rapidly clear the gas from the blood, offering new hope for victims.
A team of biochemists at the University of Groningen discovered that membrane thickness, lipid phase, and sterol type are key factors in determining permeability. This knowledge can help companies optimize microbial production and improve drug design.
A newly discovered small molecule, N-0385, has been found to inhibit entry of the virus into cells, protecting mice from infection prior to exposure and providing effective treatment up to 12 hours after. The treatment holds promise for preventing disease and reducing severity with a few single daily doses.
Researchers at Jacobs University have developed a novel method for drug delivery using boron clusters, enabling efficient transport of bioactive substances into cells. The breakthrough has potential applications in overcoming antibiotic resistance and delivering innovative therapeutics, such as peptides and protein-based drugs.
Researchers develop novel therapeutic approach for treating tuberculosis using phosphatase inhibitors, offering potential benefits for TB research and basic biology exploration. The discovery provides a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic-based treatments and has significant implications for combating antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a protein crucial to AML cell survival and found a small molecule that blocks its function, killing cancer cells in lab dishes and mouse models. This potential breakthrough could lead to novel therapies for AML and other conditions.
Pharmaceutical firms are working towards using machine learning to analyze vast stores of data, developing models that evolve and improve as the data are processed. However, experts agree that a fully functional end-to-end approach is still a ways off due to biology's complexity.
A new study using blood samples from professional soccer players reveals that headers affect brain activity by altering microRNAs, which can serve as biomarkers for brain injury. The research also explores the effects of accidental head impacts and high-intensity exercise on microRNA levels.
Researchers found that epigenetic inheritance can affect the genetic composition of a population for multiple generations. Exposure to high temperatures accelerated the rate of evolution, increasing the spread of genes through mating.
Researchers have developed a new therapeutic approach to block mutated RAS proteins, which are frequently found in cancers. The method, using small molecules, has the potential to work with multiple mutant forms of RAS in various types of cancers, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
Researchers have discovered microRNAs that can detect ovulation and egg quality in fish, and also identify growth signatures. These findings could lead to the development of non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring animal physiological states, enabling cost-effective and accessible information on health.
Researchers at Duke University have identified chemical compounds that can latch onto the coronavirus's 3D RNA structures and block replication. The compounds, which target the virus's RNA specifically, offer a new mechanism of action against COVID-19.
A study led by New York University researchers found that the FDA-approved hepatitis C treatment telaprevir can increase bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics and reduce antibiotic resistance. The antiviral blocks the function of essential proteins in bacteria, revealing an opportunity to repurpose the drug to use alongside antibiotics.
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.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new group of small antibacterial compounds that inhibit the formation of bacterial cell walls, showing promise against antibiotic-resistant strains. The molecules work by binding to lipid II, a crucial molecule for bacterial cell wall construction.
A study by Karolinska Institutet found that low levels of microRNA-210 in red blood cells cause vascular damage in type 2 diabetes. The reduction in microRNA-210 levels impaired blood vessel endothelial cell function and led to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that levels of chitinase 3-like-1 increase with age and co-morbid diseases, augmenting SARS-CoV-2 infection. A therapeutic antibody blocks the induction of the ACE2 receptor, potentially paving the way for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a central mechanism in plants that helps them deal with drought conditions and water shortages. They found that the ABA signal molecule is stored in inactive state in leaves and released under desired conditions, allowing plants to rapidly respond to changing environmental conditions.
Researchers introduce an electron linker engineering strategy to improve the performance of all-polymer solar cells. The new system shows remarkable efficiency, stability, and mechanical properties compared to traditional materials.
A team of bioinformaticians at Friedrich Schiller University Jena developed a method to identify small active substance molecules using machine-learning methods. They successfully identified 11 new, previously unknown bile acids in mice using this approach.
Researchers found that combining zinc oxide with small-molecule UV filter ingredients reduced UVA protection by 84.3-91.8% compared to non-mineral sunscreens. The study also showed toxic effects on zebra fish embryos when exposed to sunscreen mixtures containing zinc oxide.
Researchers at TTUHSC have identified novel targets for treating stroke, focusing on enhancing neurolysin activity. The study discovered small molecules that can selectively enhance the activity of neurolysin, which showed promise in reducing damage to the brain after a stroke.
The University of Kansas Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease Center has received a five-year, $11.35 NIH COBRE grant to expand research on next-generation drug therapies for infectious disease. The center will build on previous accomplishments to push forward biological research and foster a collaborative research network.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed a novel therapy called MS67 that effectively fights acute myeloid leukemia with mixed lineage leukemia rearrangement. The therapy degrades the WDR5 protein, which drives the proliferation of this type of leukemia and other cancers such as pancreatic cancer.
Scientists have developed novel gas sensors with improved detection sensitivity and durability by combining organic and inorganic materials. The hybrid sensors boast high durability and high sensitivity, making them suitable for portable gas sensing applications.
A team of University of California, Irvine scientists discovered a novel pharmacological approach to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction that drives diet-induced obesity. They found that a small molecule, SH-BC-893, can correct metabolic disease even when mice continue to consume an unhealthy Western diet.
Researchers have developed a neural network model called BiteNetPp to detect protein-peptide binding sites, enabling the design of peptide-based drugs. The model consistently outperforms existing methods and can analyze a single protein structure in under a second, making it suitable for large-scale studies.
A study in mice shows that an experimental small molecule helped restore the removal of damaged mitochondria from dopamine-producing brain cells, which may help explain what goes wrong in people with mutations that cause Parkinson's disease. The findings highlight the potential benefit of LRRK2 inhibitors as treatments for the disease.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital report positive results with risplidam, a small-molecule drug that treats SMA by correcting the root cause: a mutated gene. Infants receiving risplidam showed improvements in motor function and lived longer than expected.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a system that can fine-tune protein expression from gene therapy vectors, addressing the need for controlled dosing. The 'dimmer switch' uses alternative RNA splicing and an orally available small molecule to adjust levels of expression up or down as needed.
Scientists at Goethe University have identified 15 short segments of the SARS-CoV-2 genome that are highly conserved across various coronaviruses and perform essential regulatory functions. These segments were found to be resistant to mutations, making them promising targets for developing new drugs against SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers at NIST used an emerging molecular profiling method to analyze a type of tumor-like disease called growth anomalies in corals. The study identified 18 small molecules that promise to help better understand the series of molecular reactions leading to the disease, which affects coral skeletons and soft tissues.
Researchers at IST Austria have uncovered the crucial role of IP6 in stabilizing virus shells, preventing premature genome release. The study provides insights into the variability of capsid shapes and potential differences in infectivity.
A new Raman spectroscopy method has been developed to capture target molecules in small gaps using nano-capillary pumping, enabling ultrasensitive detection of various substances. This breakthrough allows for real-time monitoring of cell behavior and chemical kinetics, with potential applications in medicine and chemistry.
Researchers develop a new technique to control the transport of small molecules in gas-permeable nanoslits, which enables various applications such as molecule-valving, -concentrating and -pumping. The study shows that evaporation flux and nanoslit length govern the transport of small molecules.
A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and Sorbonne Université has discovered the significant contribution of small hydrophobic molecules to the energy costs of electrochemical reactions. The study found that these molecules interact with water at interfaces, leading to a crucial role in the chemical reactions.
Researchers have identified four potent antiviral compounds targeting the PF74 binding site, exhibiting improved metabolic stability compared to PF74. One compound, analog 20, shows similar submicromolar potency and significantly longer half-life in human liver microsomes.
Insilico Medicine will present its latest results in modern and next-generation AI for generative chemistry at ACS Spring 2021. The company's Chemistry42 platform facilitates the discovery of novel small molecule leads in several therapeutic areas, integrating AI techniques with computational and medicinal chemistry methods.
Researchers discovered that cone snails produce small chemicals mimicking worm pheromones to trigger sexual activity in marine worms. In laboratory experiments, these compounds sparked mating behavior in female and male fire worms, making it easier to lure them out of hiding.
The research findings reveal that a novel microbial small molecule from Streptococcus mutans promotes biofilm formation via an unprecedented physicochemical mechanism. This discovery highlights the significance of secondary metabolism in mediating critical processes related to dental caries development.
Graphene Flagship researchers have developed molecular bridges to overcome defects in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) flakes, increasing carrier mobility tenfold. This breakthrough enables the mass production of conductive inks for printed electronic devices, opening up new possibilities for flexible electronics and wearables.
Scientists discovered that ancient protocells, which emerged around 3.8 billion years ago, can form bubble-like compartments without added energy or molecular machines. These spontaneous compartments can encapsulate small molecules and divide into smaller 'daughter' bubbles, similar to simple cell division.
A team of chemists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University and Saint Petersburg State University identified the necessary conditions for successful synthesis of small molecules. They found that differences in electronic properties of substituent groups determine the reaction speed, with electron-accepting substitutes reacting fast...
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new method using easily assembled gold nanoparticles to rapidly understand molecular mechanisms. This approach streamlines the laborious process of identifying target proteins for bioactive small molecules, which can be used in pharmaceutical treatments.
Researchers found that certain metabolites can predict which patients are most likely to relapse into major depressive disorder. The study identified six metabolic pathways and specific lipids associated with the condition, suggesting a new approach for predicting vulnerability to depression recurrence.
Scientists have discovered how drug-like small molecules can regulate the activity of therapeutically relevant ion channels, providing new avenues for drug discovery. The study reveals how Pico145 binds to TRPC5 channels, preventing them from opening, and highlights the importance of individual amino acid residues in this binding site.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a technique to visualize small-molecule drugs in cells using gold nanoparticles and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy. This approach allows for real-time observation of the dynamics of small molecules inside target cells, providing valuable insights for drug discovery.
The collaboration aims to develop a small molecule drug targeting inflammatory cell trafficking in the gut, offering a safe alternative to current treatments for IBD. The company will apply its proprietary approach to develop antagonists of integrin targets.
A research team at Greenwood Genetic Center successfully restored normal heart and valve development in an animal model for Mucolipidosis II using small molecules. The study used cathepsin protease inhibitors to normalize cardiac development in a zebrafish model with genetic mutations that disrupted growth factor signaling.
Researchers used high-throughput screening to identify small molecules that confer protection against environmental stressors in mouse skin cells. These compounds may have potential as therapeutic agents for improving health and longevity.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a potential new drug candidate against enterovirus 71, a common cause of severe hand, foot and mouth disease. The small molecule inhibits the virus's RNA structure, blocking replication and potentially offering a new treatment option.
Researchers at Scripps Research have identified a new class of compounds that can restart cellular production of VEGF-A, a key factor in rebuilding blood vessels and muscle in damaged heart tissue. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers have solved the debate on respiration's initial molecular events by studying nitrosyl-myoglobin. Using XES, they found that the transition from low-spin to high-spin domed heme is caused by a cascade among spin states.
Scientists have identified a small molecule that successfully inhibits influenza A, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 in tissue culture and mice by blocking the interaction of AP2M1 with viral proteins. This finding suggests a possible broad-spectrum antiviral therapy to treat various viruses.
Scientists at the University of Münster developed a new method to construct complex polyenes, such as retinoic acid, using small molecules as