Disease Research

Alpha-synuclein clumps promote Parkinson’s progression

14 June 2018 | By Dr Zara Kassam (Drug Target Review)

Detailed brain cell analysis has helped researchers uncover new mechanisms thought to underlie Parkinson's disease...

New epigenetic drug against Mantle Cell Lymphoma

13 June 2018 | By Drug Target Review

A new study presents an epigenetic drug capable of slowing down cell growth in Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)...

ANT1 mutation links bipolar disorder to mitochondrial disease

12 June 2018 | By Dr Zara Kassam (Drug Target Review)

Researchers have reported that mitochondrial dysfunction affects the activity of serotonergic neurons in mice with mutations of ANT1...

Expert view: Overcoming the problems of working with human primary hepatocytes

7 June 2018 | By Liz Quinn (Associate Director - Stem Cells Marketing at Takara Bio USA)

Human primary hepatocytes (hpheps) are the gold standard for in vitro evaluation of drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions, and metabolic disease research. However, hpheps don’t survive in standard 2D culture for very long – no longer than two or three days.

Arc protein ‘switch off’ essential for cognitive flexibility

6 June 2018 | By Drug Target Review

An international team of scientists has discovered that memory, learning and cognitive flexibility depend on a 'switch off' of the Arc protein in the brain, which could enable us to better understand and combat neurological diseases that inhibit memory, such as Alzheimer's.

Scientists link inflammatory signalling to atrial fibrillation

6 June 2018 | By Drug Target Review

An international team of scientists have found that interfering with inflammatory signals produced by heart muscle cells might someday provide novel therapeutic strategies for atrial fibrillation.

HIV vaccine elicits antibodies in animals that neutralise dozens of HIV strains

5 June 2018 | By Dr Zara Kassam (Drug Target Review)

NIH study results represent a major advance for structure-based HIV vaccine design...

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EMT activation in tissue growth is also at play in cancer metastasis

1 June 2018 | By Drug Target Review

Scientists in the USA have added a new dimension to the understanding of how cells alter their communication with one another by means of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) during development, wound healing, and the spread of cancer.

Researchers use blood serum markers to develop lupus risk index

1 June 2018 | By Dr Zara Kassam (Drug Target Review)

Researchers have developed an index that identifies the risk for lupus based on the presence and amount of IgG and IgM antibodies and levels of C1q...

RNA-modifying tool corrects genetic diseases

31 May 2018 | By Dr Zara Kassam (Drug Target Review)

Researchers have developed a small-molecule-based tool that acts on RNA to selectively delete certain gene products...

Changes to specific MicroRNA involved in development of Lou Gehrig’s disease

31 May 2018 | By Drug Target Review

A new Tel Aviv University study identifies a previously unknown mechanism involved in the development of Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

IL-25 molecule linked to nasal polyps

30 May 2018 | By Drug Target Review

Study could lead to the development of new treatments for common sinus conditions...

Gut microbiome can control anti-tumour immune function in liver

29 May 2018 | By Dr Zara Kassam (Drug Target Review)

Scientists have found a connection between bacteria in the gut and antitumor immune responses in the liver...

Researchers in Spain elucidate complete epigenome for leukaemia

25 May 2018 | By Drug Target Review

A team of researchers in Spain show for the first time the complete epigenome of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, the most common type of leukaemia.