Treatments that prevent recurrence of types of stroke and dementia caused by damage to small blood vessels in the brain have moved a step closer, following a small study.

Scientists used a compound found in a shrub native to Africa to reveal the three major shapes of the serotonin transporter, a protein in the brain linked to anxiety and depression.

A new chemical synthesis strategy to harvest the rich information found in natural products has led to the identification of novel, simpler derivatives with potential to selectively protect neurons, important for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, or to prevent the body’s immune system from rejecting organ transplants, according to a Baylor University-led study.

Given the complexity of cancer, it’s arguably unlikely that single molecules will work as clinically meaningful biomarkers for cancer. Today, biomarker discovery involves detecting patterns – characteristics or phenotypes that can be measured and monitored throughout a patient’s journey. Here, we look at two approaches being explored in this evolving field.

When developing diagnostic tests or evaluating results, it is important to understand how reliable those tests and therefore the results you are obtaining are. By using samples of known disease status, values such as sensitivity and specificity can be calculated that allow you to evaluate just that.

Running in parallel with advances in 3D cell culture is the growing use of human cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Researchers are interested in testing drugs in the most physiologically relevant models possible, so it was only a matter of time before these two approaches converged – providing optimized systems for disease modeling and drug toxicity testing.

To improve cancer survival rates, pharma and biotech researchers must develop safe and effective therapies to treat not only primary tumors, but also metastatic growths and tumors that have acquired resistance.

Part of the "systems biology" trend, proteogenomics is expanding at an accelerating rate. In this article, we look at the approaches adopted in proteogenomics and explore how proteogenomics is changing the dynamics of precision medicine in oncology.

This article reviews the importance and requirements for developing successful drug–diagnostic co-development models. It also highlights current challenges and ongoing efforts to address these issues, bringing us closer towards a more promising future for pharmacotherapy and patient care.