Researchers at the University of California in San Diego have developed computational tools that will allow scientists to quickly and easily determine whether newly isolated nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) are novel or already known. NRPs are a diverse family of secondary…
Blog Archives
New Lead for Autoimmune Disease
A major challenge in treating autoimmune disease is to prevent tissue damage without generalised immunosuppression. US researchers now suggest that selective damping down of the TH17 response using compounds such as halofuginone may provide an answer to this challenge. Writing…
First Total Synthesis of (+)-11,11′-Dideoxyverticillin A
Although it is ten years since the anti-cancer properties of (+)-11,11′-dideoxyverticillin A were first described, it is only now that the first total synthesis has been reported. The compound was originally isolated from the mycelium of a marine-derived fungus of…
Long Lasting Pain Relief
A new slow-release anaesthetic drug-delivery system could potentially revolutionize the treatment of pain during and after surgery, and may also have a large impact on chronic pain management. Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston have developed a liposomal delivery system for…
Chemical from Chinese Medicinal Plant can Combat HIV
Telomeres are structures which protect chromosomes during cell division and become progressively shorter as a result; telomerase adds telomere DNA to the ends of chromosomes and increases the potential for cell division. Most non-dividing cells show little or no telomerase…
Modified Plant Extract Could Rival Viagra
Plant extracts have traditionally been used as aphrodisiacs and a recent report describes the synthesis of a modified natural product that could be as effective as sildenafil (Viagra®) for treating erectile dysfunction. Icariin, a component of Epimedium brevicornum (also known…
