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DNA ‘needle’ bypasses cellular defences to deliver therapeutics
A microscopic DNA nanostructure inspired by bacteriophages can deliver therapeutic molecules directly into cells whilst evading endosomal traps that typically render treatments ineffective. The virus-inspired platform, demonstrated in breast cancer cells, could address the longstanding challenge that only one per cent of oligonucleotide therapeutics reach their cellular targets.
FGF21 hormone targets hindbrain pathways to reverse obesity
New research reveals that FGF21, a hormone under investigation for obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), works by signalling to the hindbrain rather than the hypothalamus. The discovery of this distinct neural circuit—which increases metabolic rate rather than simply suppressing appetite—could enable development of more precise therapies with fewer adverse effects than current FGF21 analogues.
Small molecule SK-129 targets protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
International researchers have identified a small molecule capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to prevent pathological protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy.
DNA-based system delivers targeted cancer drugs via biomarker logic
Researchers at the University of Geneva have developed a DNA-based drug delivery platform that uses molecular logic gates to identify cancer cells through dual biomarker recognition. The system activates cytotoxic agents only when both tumour markers are present, offering enhanced specificity over current antibody–drug conjugates while enabling deeper tissue penetration and multi-drug combinations.
Human antimicrobial peptide dermcidin shows antiviral activity against influenza
Researchers at Fisabio Foundation have discovered that dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide naturally present in human sweat, exhibits antiviral activity against influenza by binding to viral haemagglutinin and preventing cell fusion, opening new possibilities for innate immunity-based therapeutics.
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Human antimicrobial peptide dermcidin shows antiviral activity against influenza
Researchers at Fisabio Foundation have discovered that dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide naturally present in human sweat, exhibits antiviral activity against influenza by binding to viral haemagglutinin and preventing cell fusion, opening new possibilities for innate immunity-based therapeutics.
Mirrored molecules target disordered proteins in Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers at Kobe University have developed a novel approach to Alzheimer’s disease treatment by engineering right-handed amino acid chains that bind to amyloid-beta proteins. The method, inspired by materials science principles of chirality, demonstrated effective inhibition of toxic protein aggregation in mouse brain cell cultures, maintaining cell viability where amyloid-beta alone reduced it by 50 percent.
Scientists scale up neural organoid studies for drug testing
Researchers at King’s College London have developed a hybrid neural organoid approach that addresses longstanding limitations in scalability, reproducibility and longitudinal analysis. By dissociating 3D organoids and culturing pooled cells on microelectrode arrays, the team created 2D networks that retain cellular diversity whilst enabling consistent, long-term tracking of neural activity across parallel cultures.
Implantable ‘living pharmacy’ device produces multiple drugs inside the body
Scientists have developed an implantable device that acts as a ‘living pharmacy’, using engineered cells to continuously produce multiple therapeutic biologics inside the body. The wireless system, which generates its own oxygen supply, maintained stable drug levels for 30 days in preclinical studies.
$13.9M UCLA study maps autism and schizophrenia biology for drug discovery
A $13.9 million UCLA-led research programme will use CRISPR gene editing and ‘cell villages’ to systematically map the molecular differences underlying autism and schizophrenia, addressing the absence of medicines targeting the biological roots of both conditions.
Haem signalling pathway identified as key driver of T cell exhaustion
University of Lausanne researchers have identified a molecular mechanism explaining how cancer-fighting T cells become exhausted in tumours, offering a potential route to improve CAR T therapies through proteasome modulation during cell manufacturing.
COPD drug roflumilast may help fight breast cancer lung metastasis
University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center scientists have uncovered how metastatic breast cancer cells exploit pulmonary repair pathways to establish tumours in the lungs.
Scientists link IVNS1ABP gene to new ageing disorder
An international research team has identified a previously unknown genetic disease characterised by premature ageing and progressive neurological decline. Using genome sequencing combined with induced pluripotent stem cell technology, scientists traced the condition to a mutation in the IVNS1ABP gene and uncovered disrupted actin dynamics during cell division as the underlying pathological mechanism.
New evidence links autoantibodies to Long COVID
Dutch researchers have demonstrated that IgG autoantibodies from Long COVID patients can induce persistent pain-like hypersensitivity in mice, with effects lasting at least two weeks. The study identifies distinct biological subgroups and suggests that autoimmune mechanisms may drive the condition’s diverse symptomatology, opening avenues for targeted immunotherapies.
AI discovers peptide that eases ulcerative colitis symptoms
Researchers at First Hospital of Jilin University have used machine learning to identify antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis. The AI-driven approach screened over 6,000 candidates, identifying a lead peptide that demonstrated superior efficacy to standard treatments in preclinical models by reducing inflammation, restoring gut barrier integrity and selectively modulating the microbiome.
CD47 protein found to drive glioblastoma growth
University of Adelaide researchers have discovered that CD47, a protein known for helping cancer cells evade immune detection, also directly promotes glioblastoma growth and invasion through a novel molecular pathway involving ROBO2 stabilisation.
Toxoplasma cell cycle mapped for next-generation therapies
University of South Florida researchers have adapted fluorescent imaging to visualise the cell cycle of Toxoplasma gondii in real time, revealing an unusual branching growth pattern that enables rapid multiplication. The breakthrough could identify new therapeutic targets for toxoplasmosis, which affects one-third of the global population and has limited treatment options once chronic.
Blocking protein pathway may slow Huntington’s disease
Researchers have identified a previously unknown cellular mechanism involving tunnelling nanotubes and the protein SLC4A7 that enables toxic huntingtin to spread directly between neurons, offering new therapeutic targets for Huntington’s disease.
Biomarker discovery may improve schizophrenia treatment
Northwestern University scientists have identified a circulating brain protein biomarker that is significantly reduced in schizophrenia patients and developed a synthetic therapeutic that corrected abnormal brain activity in preclinical models, offering hope for treating the disorder’s debilitating cognitive symptoms.
Gut microbes found to drive chronic kidney disease
A newly discovered feedback loop between impaired kidney function and gut bacteria may drive disease progression through toxic compound production. UC Davis researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target to interrupt this damaging cycle.
PRI-101 could become first disease-modifying Parkinson’s drug
Biotechnology company Priavoid GmbH has announced proof-of-concept data for PRI-101, an orally available peptide drug targeting neurodegeneration. Preclinical studies demonstrate the experimental therapy reduces toxic α-synuclein aggregates across multiple Parkinson’s disease models, with evidence of blood-brain barrier penetration and improved survival outcomes.
New AI-designed T-cell engager LGTX-101 to be presented at AACR in San Diego
LabGenius Therapeutics will present preclinical data for LGTX-101, its AI-designed Nectin-4 x CD3 T-cell engager, at AACR 2026 in San Diego.
Probiotic bacteria successfully attacks tumours in preclinical models
Engineered probiotic bacteria that can deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly to tumours have shown promising results in mice, offering a potential new approach to targeted cancer therapy.
SonoPIN ultrasound method shows promise for targeted cancer therapy
A new ultrasound-based technique developed by researchers at Duke University uses microbubbles to deliver cancer drugs directly into tumour cells, showing promise for highly targeted treatments that cause minimal damage to healthy tissue.
ELRIG announces keynote speakers for Advances in Cell-based Screening 2026 in Gothenburg
ELRIG has announced the keynote speakers for its 2026 Advances in Cell-based Screening conference in Gothenburg, where scientists will gather to explore how human-first models, advanced cell biology and AI are changing the future of drug discovery.