Drug Targets – News and Features

News
Targeting VDAC2 Could Enhance Tumor Response to Immunotherapy
A study from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital reveals that the protein VDAC2 acts as a “signal jammer” in tumors, preventing immune system communication. By removing VDAC2, tumors became more sensitive to immunotherapy.

News
Zika Builds Nanotubes to Cross Placenta
Researchers discovered that Zika virus constructs nanotubes to transport infection across the placental barrier undetected. The viral protein NS1 triggers this process, allowing Zika to spread while evading immune defenses.

News
Blood Pressure Drug Could Be Repurposed for ADHD
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that repurposing amlodipine, a commonly used blood pressure medicine, could offer a promising new pathway to address ADHD symptoms.

News
Computer Model “Visualizes” RNA Structures To Advance Drug Discovery
Researchers at Purdue University have developed NuFold, a machine learning tool that predicts 3D RNA structures from sequences. Dubbed the RNA equivalent of AlphaFold, NuFold bridges the gap in experimental RNA data.

News
Immune Mapping of Pancreatic Cancer Offers Insights for Precision-Targeted Treatment
Pancreatic cancer patients may benefit from future precision treatments as a new study shows how some tumors may potentially be more susceptible to macrophage-based therapies.

News
Researchers Engineer Living Materials With Unique Properties
Researchers have revealed novel sequence-structure-property relationships for customizing engineered living materials, enabling more precise control over their structure and how they respond to force.

News
Mutations Point to Promising Drug Target in 5% of Adult Cancers
Researchers have discovered that about 5% of adult cancers rely on a gene called PELO to survive, offering a promising drug target.

News
Antibiotic Resistance Can Develop Before Drugs Hit the Market
Scientists in Hungary found that antibiotic resistance can emerge before new drugs are even in clinical use. The study highlights pre-existing bacterial mutations that render new treatments ineffective.

News
Photopharmacology Helps Identify a New Anxiety Drug Target
Researchers have identified a specific brain circuit that, when inhibited, reduces anxiety without any side effects.
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