Cornea-on-a-chip could allow for more accurate ophthalmic drug testing 26 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Researchers have developed a device which mimics how blinking and tear movement effect the cornea for use in testing ophthalmic drugs and ocular research.
Imaging technique allows study of early stage Alzheimer’s disease 26 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Scientists used optical photothermal spectroscopy (O-PTIR) to image murine neurons affected by early stage Alzheimer’s disease, providing insight into the progression of the disease.
Using CRISPR-Cas9 to identify new gene drug targets 26 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have used CRISPR-Cas9 to screen the genome for possible targets that could be used in potential treatments for muscular dystrophy.
Collaboration initiated to develop COVID-19 immunotherapy 26 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) The University of Georgia and CEL-SCI Corporation have partnered to develop an immunotherapy to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus using the Ligand Antigen Epitope Presentation System (LEAPS) technology.
Screening reveals rocaglate compounds kill C. auris 26 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have screened over 2,000 compounds to discover that rocaglates effectively combat C. auris, offering a potential new treatment.
COVID-19 viral envelope simulation under development 25 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Researchers are working to build a complete, all-atom model of the exterior of the coronavirus to aid in drug design.
Connections between nerves and stem cells may be essential for function 25 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Researchers have demonstrated that stem cells attract neurons with different strengths and that connections between the two may be vital for cancer stem cell function.
CRISPR discovery could be used to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria 25 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A study has shown that plasmids use type IV CRISPR-Cas against competing plasmids, leading the researchers to suggest the method as a novel way to tackle multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Cannabidiol identified as potential ‘helper’ compound for antibiotics 25 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have found that using antibiotics in combination with cannabidiol (CBD) enhanced their effect against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
New mass spec technique used to determine structure of sugars 25 March 2020 | By Rachael Harper (Drug Target Review) A new method has been invented that boosts the mapping of heparan sulfates and which the researchers say could be widely used for drug discovery.
Map of COVID-19 and human protein interactions reveals drug targets 24 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have identified which SARS-CoV-2 proteins physically associate with proteins in human cells, revealing potential drug targets to treat the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Human tuberculosis blood signal replicated in mice 24 March 2020 | By Rachael Harper (Drug Target Review) More research into tuberculosis is now possible with the development of an optimisied mouse model that exhibits the same blood immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection as humans.
Chronic use of heart disease medications may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 24 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) A researcher has revealed that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may increase the risk of severe lung complications in COVID-19.
UK Consortium to monitor spread and behaviour of coronavirus 24 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) The UK government has invested £20 million into the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium, which will use whole genome sequencing to inform infection control measures and therapeutic developments.
Early natural killer cells more effective than adult versions, find researchers 24 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have shown that natural killer (NK) cells work best as an immunotherapy when in an early stage of development, so could be manufactured from pluripotent stem cells.
