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New sleep molecule discovered: “It shows just how complex the machinery of sleep is”

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.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2022

How cells control their borders

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2022

Promising nose spray could prevent, treat COVID-19

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.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateMar 28, 2022

Breakthrough in cell research: Jacobs University scientists discover new method for drug delivery

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.

SourceJacobs University Bremen gGmbH·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Treating TB: uOttawa scientists collaborate to identify new drug for unique therapeutic approach

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.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 22, 2022

Small molecule targets Achilles' Heel of AML, kills cancer cells

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.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

Taking new aim at COVID-19

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 26, 2021

Hepatitis drug increases antibiotic potency, limits antibiotic resistance

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.

SourceNew York University·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2021

Chemistry breakthrough leads way to more sustainable pharmaceuticals

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.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

New group of antibacterial molecules identified

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.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered a mechanism that helps plants cope with water shortages

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.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 2, 2021

Mount Sinai scientists show that a novel therapy could be effective against pediatric leukemia

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.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 29, 2021

Neural network detects protein-peptide binding sites to kick-start peptide drug discovery

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.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2021

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers develop “dimmer switch” to help control gene therapy

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.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

SARS-CoV-2: Achilles' heel of viral RNA

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.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 20, 2021

NIST uses method to understand the molecular underpinnings of a disease affecting corals

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 develop novel raman method to capture target molecules in small gaps actively

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.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 23, 2021

New study presents evaporation-driven transport-control of small molecules along nanoslits

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.

The role of hydrophobic molecules in catalytic reactions

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.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2021

HKUST researchers unlock the micro-molecular physiochemical mechanism of dental plaque formation

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.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 16, 2021

Molecular bridges power up printed electronics

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.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateFeb 25, 2021

Chemists identified necessary conditions for successful synthesis of small molecules

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...

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalTetrahedron Letters·DateFeb 9, 2021

Easily assembled gold nanoparticle scaffolding serves as molecular probe

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.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalOrganic & Biomolecular Chemistry·DateFeb 1, 2021