New enzyme could mean better drugs
Just as a choreographer's notation tells a dancer to strike a particular pose, an enzyme newly discovered by Rice University scientists is able to tell specific molecules precisely how to arrange themselves, down to the angle of single hydrogen bonds.....»»
Discovery of the first fractal molecule in nature
An international team of researchers led by groups from the Max Planck Institute in Marburg and the Philipps University in Marburg has stumbled upon the first regular molecular fractal in nature. They discovered a microbial enzyme—citrate synthase.....»»
New protein imaging method supports the design of innovative new cancer drugs
Scientists have successfully used a new imaging technique to determine the structure and interactions of a protein complex that plays a significant part in the initiation and progression of cancer. They showed that it was possible to use a high-resol.....»»
A targeted polymer to treat colorectal cancer liver metastases
A nanosized polymer, developed by a research team from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, can selectively deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to blood vessels that feed tumors and metastases and has emerged as an effective treatment for advanced cancer......»»
Cutting-edge enzyme research fights back against plastic pollution
Since the 1950s, the surge in global plastic production has paralleled a concerning rise in plastic waste. In the United States alone, a staggering 35 million tons of plastic waste were generated in 2017, with only a fraction being recycled or combus.....»»
A simple, inexpensive way to make carbon atoms bind together
The active ingredient in many drugs is what's known as a small molecule: bigger than water, much smaller than an antibody and mainly made of carbon. It's tough, however, to make these molecules if they require a quaternary carbon—a carbon atom bond.....»»
Click chemistry: Research team creates 150 new compounds
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) chemists have created a new collection of molecular compounds and begun testing them as potential leads in the search for new drugs. Among these molecules, they found several that show promise for development as a.....»»
New study paves the way for precision drugs to treat blood cancers
The Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) protein mediates signaling from several cytokine receptors in the regulation of hematopoiesis and immune responses. Somatic mutations in human JAK2 lead to constitutive activation and cytokine-independent signaling and under.....»»
Wound treatment hydrogel infused with amino acid kills bacteria naturally and promotes cell growth
Hydrogels are popular for use in skin ailments and tissue engineering. These polymer-based biocompatible materials are useful for their abilities to retain water, deliver drugs into wounds, and biodegrade. However, they are complicated to manufacture.....»»
Researchers reveal structure and assembly mechanism of unique module in cellulosome
Cellulosomes are multi-enzyme complexes known for their efficient lignocellulose degradation, which is valuable in bioenergy technique development. The diverse composition and intricate assembly of cellulosomes give them exceptional substrate degrada.....»»
Data gaps inhibit understanding of trans people"s experiences, researchers say
The influential book "Invisible Women" articulates some of the countless ways in which women are missing from the data we use to understand the world, including the testing of many drugs, consideration of how best to support refugees, and others. The.....»»
The Next Generation of Cancer Drugs Will Be Made in Space
Injectable immunotherapy drugs can be made, in theory, but gravity prevents them from crystallizing correctly. A startup thinks the solution could be right above us......»»
High speed protein movies to aid drug design
Researchers from the University of Southampton have developed technology to help scientists observe proteins in motion. Understanding how proteins move will allow novel drugs to be designed......»»
Research reveals new starting points for the rapid and targeted development of future drugs
Many important medicines, such as antibiotics and anticancer drugs, are derived from natural products of bacteria. The enzyme complexes that produce these active ingredients have a modular design that makes them ideal tools for synthetic biology. By.....»»
Scientists elucidate the role of GlyT1 in anti-schizophrenia drugs
Schizophrenia is a highly disabling mental disorder, and numerous studies have shown that the hypofunction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is one of its pathogenic mechanisms. Glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1), a glycine transporter protein,.....»»
Antibodies against anything? AI tool adapted to make them
Right now, making antibodies means immunizing animals. But that may change. Enlarge Antibodies are incredibly useful. Lots of recently developed drugs rely on antibodies that bind to and block the activity of specific p.....»»
Generative AI illuminates enzyme secrets using sequences evolved in nature
Enzymes, nature's remarkable biocatalysts, play an integral role in various aspects of daily life. Consider the awe-inspiring sight of fireflies lighting up a summer night. Their captivating glow serves not just to enchant observers but also plays a.....»»
A faster, cheaper way to synthesize diabetes and weight loss drugs like semaglutide
Semaglutide is part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor targeting family of peptide drugs which are mainly used to treat diabetes but are difficult and expensive to make......»»
Chimeric nanobody research looks to improve chemotherapy drug delivery
Finding the best method to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to tumor cells can be tricky. Ideally, the treatments target tumor cells while leaving healthy cells alone......»»
Early experiments show Ebola-fighting potential of engineered bacteria
Since its 1976 emergence in Africa, the Ebola virus has proven an especially lethal contagion, killing roughly 50% of the people who contract it. The 2019 FDA approval of a vaccine, combined with the subsequent development of two antibody-based drugs.....»»
Rogue enzymes cause numerous diseases, but a new method could help design drugs to treat them
Helicases are enzymes that unwind DNA and RNA. They're central to cellular life, implicated in a number of cancers and infections—and, alas, extraordinarily difficult to target with drugs......»»