Drug Discovery & Pharmaceuticals

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A novel approach to photosynthetic production of high-value compounds

Using evolution as a guiding principle, researchers have successfully engineered bacteria-yeast hybrids to perform photosynthetic carbon assimilation, generate cellular energy and support yeast growth without traditional carbon feedstocks like glucose or glycerol. By engineering photosynthetic cyanobacteria to live symbiotically inside yeast cells, the bacteria-yeast hybrids can produce important hydrocarbons, paving new biotechnical pathways to non-petroleum-based energy, other synthetic biology applications, and the experimental study of evolution.

27 Aug 2024

Octavalent intranasal flu vaccine proves effective in neutralizing both existing and emerging strains

A new octavalent intranasal vaccine shows promising results in providing broad immunity against both seasonal and pre-pandemic influenza strains by eliciting strong mucosal and systemic immune responses in ferrets.

25 Aug 2024

Human gut microbiome: A source of new antibiotic peptides

Researchers identified 323 peptide-based antimicrobials from the human microbiome, with 71% showing significant antibacterial activity, and the lead peptide, prevotellin-2, matching the efficacy of polymyxin B in both in vitro and in vivo models.

25 Aug 2024

AI advances drug discovery for mental health disorders with new receptor models

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help identify molecules that could serve as new drugs for mental health disorders.

23 Aug 2024

Exploring opioid prescription trends in chronic cough treatment

Chronic cough, with symptoms lasting more than eight weeks, affects approximately one in 10 adults. Cough is among the most common reasons for seeking medical care in the United States, yet chronic cough is difficult to treat. One of the largest studies of chronic cough and one of the first to explore the use of opioids, which are known to suppress cough, to treat these patients, has found that 20 percent of patients with chronic cough received a prescription for a cough suppressant containing an opioid.

23 Aug 2024

Novel screening method for blood-brain barrier penetration

Scientists at Southwest Research Institute have developed a new screening method to identify drug formulations that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), to facilitate treatment of brain diseases and conditions.

23 Aug 2024

FDA-approved drug could revolutionize organ transplantation

Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University report that they were able to successfully put tadpoles of Xenopus laevis frogs into a hibernation-like torpor state using donepezil (DNP), a drug approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer's. The team had previously used another drug, SNC80, to achieve similar results in tadpoles and enhance the survival of whole mammalian hearts for transplants, but SNC80 is not approved for clinical use in humans because it can cause seizures. By contrast, DNP is already being used in the clinic, meaning it potentially could be rapidly repurposed for use in emergency situations to prevent irreversible organ injury while a person is being transported to a hospital.

23 Aug 2024

Exploring gene silencing mechanisms for improved RNAi therapeutics

RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics have garnered significant attention in clinical research due to their potential for treating various diseases, including genetic disorders, viral infections and cancer.

20 Aug 2024

Researchers use XAI to unlock secrets of drug discovery

Artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded in popularity. It powers models that help us drive vehicles, proofread emails and even design new molecules for medications.

18 Aug 2024

Breakthrough in synthesizing complex plant molecules

MIT chemists have developed a new way to synthesize complex molecules that were originally isolated from plants and could hold potential as antibiotics, analgesics, or cancer drugs.

14 Aug 2024

Novel vaccination strategy shows promise in boosting immunity and controlling influenza spread in pigs

Study demonstrates that a novel prime/boost vaccination protocol using live-attenuated influenza vaccines effectively induces strong immune responses in pigs, offering a promising approach for future influenza vaccination strategies.

13 Aug 2024

AlphaFold accelerates discovery of potential antipsychotic drugs by outperforming traditional methods

Researchers used AlphaFold and homology modeling to identify potent TAAR1 agonists, showing AlphaFold's superior performance in drug discovery for neuropsychiatric conditions.

13 Aug 2024

Breakthrough in the synthesis of fungal bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications

The natural world is rich in chemical compounds with remarkable medicinal properties. A notable example is penicillin, discovered by chance from the Penicillium mold.

9 Aug 2024

Navigating the future of drug development at the C-Path Global Impact Conference

Critical Path Institute (C-Path), whose mission is to lead collaborations that accelerate drug development, advancing better treatments for people worldwide, is proud to announce its inaugural C-Path Global Impact Conference (CGIC), taking place from September 9-11, 2024, at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center.

8 Aug 2024

Natural compound from skin bacteria shows promise as tyrosinase inhibitor for skincare

Melanin protects the skin-;the body's largest organ and a vital component of the immune system-;from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

5 Aug 2024

Uncovering hidden drug benefits through protein mapping

Fewer side effects, improved chances of healing: the goal of precision medicine is to provide patients with the most individualized treatment possible. This requires a precise understanding of what is happening at the cellular level. For the first time, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now succeeded in mapping the interactions of 144 active substances with around 8,000 proteins. The results could help to identify previously unknown potential benefits of existing drugs.

2 Aug 2024

Drug Discovery & Pharmaceuticals

A novel approach to photosynthetic production of high-value compounds

Octavalent intranasal flu vaccine proves effective in neutralizing both existing and emerging strains

Human gut microbiome: A source of new antibiotic peptides

AI advances drug discovery for mental health disorders with new receptor models

Exploring opioid prescription trends in chronic cough treatment

Novel screening method for blood-brain barrier penetration

FDA-approved drug could revolutionize organ transplantation

Exploring gene silencing mechanisms for improved RNAi therapeutics

Researchers use XAI to unlock secrets of drug discovery

Breakthrough in synthesizing complex plant molecules

Novel vaccination strategy shows promise in boosting immunity and controlling influenza spread in pigs

AlphaFold accelerates discovery of potential antipsychotic drugs by outperforming traditional methods

Breakthrough in the synthesis of fungal bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications

Navigating the future of drug development at the C-Path Global Impact Conference

Natural compound from skin bacteria shows promise as tyrosinase inhibitor for skincare

Uncovering hidden drug benefits through protein mapping

Quantum simulation drives breakthrough in drug development

UQ opens new facility for personalized mRNA cancer vaccine development

Insilico Medicine's PandaOmics Box enhances drug discovery with advanced AI capabilities

MD Anderson and Summit Therapeutics partner to accelerate ivonescimab development

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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