How a Tiny Enzyme Helps Build a Big Brain
When your brain was forming, an enzyme had to pull off a powerful chemical reaction. One wrong move, and the process could fail — leading to a rare disorder that causes seizures and, ultimately, death. Now, researchers at Duke University School of Medicine have uncovered how this enzyme called MoaA tames one of nature’s most reactive chemical players to make this life-or-death reaction happen.
New enzymes promise cheaper, cleaner drug production
A pair of newly discovered enzymes could change drug manufacturing, reducing both costs and environmental harm. Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine showed that one of the enzymes is sufficient to make azetidine, an organic compound and a building block of a wide range of therapeutics, including antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and cancer treatments.
Could a Gout Drug Point to a New Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious genetic condition that affects red blood cells, causing them to become misshapen and sticky. It affects at least 100,000 people in the U.S., leading to blood clots, painful blockages in blood vessels, and shortened lifespans. Researchers in the Duke Department of Biochemistry have discovered a key biological pathway that contributes to these complications. Their findings also suggest a promising treatment strategy: blocking a protein that initiates the process using a drug that’s approved for gout treatment in some countries.
A New Clue in the Fight Against Fungal Infections
Researchers in the Yokoyama lab, in collaboration with the Boal lab at Penn State University, have uncovered a surprising chemical reaction that cou
The Protein That’s Crucial for a Healthy Pregnancy
Researchers have discovered for the first time that a particular protein plays a crucial role in the development of a normal placenta in the early stages of pregnancy. Learning more more about the protein, PIEZ01, and its role in pregnancy could pave the way for preventing unexplained miscarriages, preeclampsia, or fetal growth restriction.
New AI Model Makes Drug Discovery Faster, Smarter, and More Transparent
A new algorithm could help researchers better predict how molecules bind to proteins —an essential step in designing more effective drugs to treat a wide range of diseases.
Breaking New Ground in Pain Relief: A Novel Approach to Non-Opioid Therapeutics
A multidisciplinary team from biochemistry, anesthesiology, and chemistry is developing a promising new approach to pain management using adenosine, a naturally occurring compound in the human body that can help regulate pain, inflammation and seizure activity.
The Secret Life of Gut Bacteria
A bustling metropolis of bacteria lives in our guts, and the chemical compounds they produce may influence how we age.