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New Protein 'Glue' Screening Method Speeds Drug Discovery for Breast Cancer and Parkinson's

A breakthrough in protein screening could speed up drug discovery. The new method uses mass spectrometry to quickly test potential treatments for diseases where protein interactions are disrupted.

In this image i can see a bottle with a name of discovery on it.
In this image i can see a bottle with a name of discovery on it.

New Protein 'Glue' Screening Method Speeds Drug Discovery for Breast Cancer and Parkinson's

Scientists from the University of Birmingham and the University of Leicester have pioneered a novel screening method for evaluating therapeutic molecules designed to 'glue' proteins together. This breakthrough, published in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemical Science, could accelerate the discovery of new treatments for diseases like breast cancer and Parkinson's.

The method, developed by researchers from both universities, utilises mass spectrometry to measure the precise mass of a pair of proteins along with the 'glue'. This allows for the identification of the strongest 'glue' for treating diseases where protein interactions are disrupted.

The technique provides a quick assessment of the 'glue's' effectiveness by offering a 'snapshot' of what happens to the proteins when a potential drug is added. This speed and efficiency are made possible by the ability of mass spectrometry to gather and analyse data rapidly and effectively. The method was tested on therapeutic compounds being studied by Dr. Richard Doveston's team at the University of Leicester, demonstrating its practical application.

The University of Birmingham, ranked among the world's top 100 institutions, and the University of Leicester, committed to international excellence and equal access to higher education, have collaborated to advance this innovative screening method. Published in the prestigious Chemical Science journal, this research opens avenues for drug developers to screen large numbers of potential compounds, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases where protein interactions are impaired.

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