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Assay that mimics SARS-CoV-2 infection could test potential COVID-19 drugs
Scientists have developed a new assay that uses nanoparticles to mimic how SARS-CoV-2 infects a cell, which could be used to screen for drugs that treat COVID-19.
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Drug Targets
A drug target is anything within a living organism to which a drug is directed and/or binds, resulting in a change in its behaviour or function.
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Treg cells could be used in immunotherapy to treat multiple sclerosis, study shows
Researchers have discovered how Tregs can reduce spinal cord injury caused by diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Researchers discover druggable pocket on SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein
A pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has been discovered by researchers, who say it could be a drug target for COVID-19.
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Lethal poxviruses could be rendered harmless with single gene removal
Researchers report that removing the vSLFN gene from the ectromelia virus (ECTV) caused a potent immune response which protected animal models.
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How do general anaesthetics cause loss of consciousness?
Inhaled general anaesthetics have been used for over 100 years and continue to be used daily for surgeries around the world. But how do they induce changes to consciousness? This article explores the research that suggests the anaesthetics chloroform and isoflurane disrupt the organisation of lipid rafts within cellular membranes…
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Psychedelic drug discovery enabling discovery of new psychiatric drugs
Having resolved the structure of psychedelic drugs bound to the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor researchers are now developing new therapeutic drugs.
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Mystery glycoprotein could prevent respiratory distress
According to researchers, the DMBT1S8 molecule can halt inflammation in the respiratory tract through its interaction with the Siglec-8 receptor on immune cells.
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A novel drug target for viral encephalitis therapies
Researchers showed CXCL1 signalling to neutrophils drove brain inflammation in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis and blocking the protein resulted in less severe disease.
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Could FDA-approved drug heparin prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection?
SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells is dependent on heparan sulfate and disrupting this interaction using heparin reduces infectivity of the coronavirus, find scientists.
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The next generation of cancer immunotherapies: re-exploring the IL-2 pathway
In this article, Dr Bruce Dezube explains why new cancer immunotherapy drugs that utilise the IL-2 pathway with lower side effects could offer more benefits compared to high-dose IL-2 treatment.
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Drug target to combat three coronavirus diseases identified by researchers
Researchers studying the PLpro binding site of three coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, say the BL2 loop could be targeted by antiviral drugs.
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Novel antiviral drug candidate blocks SARS-CoV-2 reproduction in cells
In human cells, a drug candidate called PF-00835231 has demonstrated success at blocking the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2.
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Cocaine and the brain: identifying targets for addiction therapies
There are currently no licenced pharmaceuticals to treat cocaine addiction. To overcome this issue, US researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been exploring how cocaine alters transcription in the nucleus accumbens, a region of the brain implicated in compulsive drug use. Here, Hannah Balfour discusses with Dr…
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COVID-19 therapies in the pipeline
As the global COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing, staying abreast with the latest news can be challenging. In this article, Sheraz Gul provides an overview of the broad range of potential treatments in development and discusses how the regulatory landscape can shift at any time.
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Study identifies potential therapeutic targets for most lethal pancreatic cancer
The detailed analysis of adenosquamous cancer of the pancreas (ASCP) suggested FGFR and RORC were two promising therapeutic targets.