R&D

DNA treatment could delay paralysis that strikes nearly all patients with ALS

In virtually all persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in up to half of all cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia, a protein called TDP-43 is lost from its normal location in the nucleus of the cell. In turn, this triggers the loss of stathmin-2, a protein crucial to regeneration of neurons and the maintenance of their connections to muscle fibers, essential to contraction and movement.

First nasal monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 shows promise for treating virus, other diseases

A pilot trial by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, tested the nasal administration of the drug Foralumab, an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. Investigators found evidence that the drug dampened the inflammatory T cell response and decreased lung inflammation in patients with COVID-19.

Digital twin opens way to effective treatment of inflammatory diseases

Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis have complex disease mechanisms that can differ from patient to patient with the same diagnosis. This means that currently available drugs have little effect on many patients. Using so-called digital twins, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now obtained a deeper understanding of the "off and on" proteins that control these diseases.

AI conjures proteins that speed up chemical reactions

For the first time, scientists have used machine learning to create brand-new enzymes, which are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions. This is an important step in the field of protein design as new enzymes could have many uses across medicine and industrial manufacturing.

Pill for skin disease also curbs excessive drinking

Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University and institutions across the country have identified a pill used to treat a common skin disease as an "incredibly promising" treatment for alcohol use disorder.

The study was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Paxlovid substantially reduced risk of hospitalization, death during Omicron wave

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) significantly reduced the likelihood of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 in people at risk of severe illness, according to new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

The study, conducted by Ontario researchers, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir in preventing severe illness during the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Scientists pinpoint protein that helps cancer-causing viruses evade immune response

The viruses Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been linked to several cancers. For the first time, UNC School of Medicine scientists have discovered that these viruses use a human protein called barrier-to-autointegration factor 1, or BAF, to evade our innate immune response, allowing the viruses to spread and cause disease.

Research & Development

DNA treatment could delay paralysis that strikes nearly all patients with ALS

First nasal monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 shows promise for treating virus, other diseases

Digital twin opens way to effective treatment of inflammatory diseases

AI conjures proteins that speed up chemical reactions

Pill for skin disease also curbs excessive drinking

Paxlovid substantially reduced risk of hospitalization, death during Omicron wave

Scientists pinpoint protein that helps cancer-causing viruses evade immune response

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