Abstract: Carbohydrates are ubiquitous and represent the most abundant class of molecules in nature. All cell surfaces are coated with complex carbohydrates where they act as recognition molecules for other cells, functional molecules, and pathogens. Consequently, they are involved in disease indications as diverse as inflammation, cancer, and infectious disease. In general, native carbohydrates lack the properties necessary for efficacious drugs and historically have not been successful candidates to capitalize on these applications. Understanding the bioactive conformation and molecular interactions of functional carbohydrates, however, allows the rational design of small molecule glycomimetics that exhibit improved drug-like properties such as increased affinity, serum half-life, stability, and bioavailability. Recent advances in analytical techniques (i.e., NMR, x-ray crystallization), molecular modeling, and synthetic organic chemistry allow the design of potent glycomimetic compounds, which opens the door to a new class of therapeutic drugs to target molecular mechanisms that can address many of the current unmet needs in the treatment of disease. ... Read more

Abstract: Proteins produced by DNA recombinant technology have been playing important roles in modern medicine ever since the first such protein drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about three decades ago. However the inherent high cost of producing recombinant proteins, particularly those produced from mammalian cells, has hampered their broad application. Other protein expression systems that can reduce the cost yet still maintain the high-level therapeutic activities of the recombinant proteins are a top R&D priority. Eukaryotic unicellular green algae cells may provide a good solution to this long-standing challenge. ... Read more

Abstract: Fat cells are traditionally considered dormant cells, quietly functioning in lipid accumulation and lipolysis. In recent years, fat cells received a glowing appraisal and were found to be an important player in energy homeostasis, tumorigenesis, immunity, and reproduction, via their endocrine and regulatory functions. Fat cells secrete adipokines, many of which are inflammation-related peptides such as cytokines and cytokine-like molecules. ... Read more

Abstract: It is estimated that 63% of drug targets are intracellular and cannot be reached by antibody drugs and many other therapeutic agents. Intrabody (single-chain antibody or its fragments) produced intracellularly is a promising technology that could bring forth intracellular therapeutics in addition to being an important research tool. ... Read more

Abstract: The 10+ year journey from benchtop to bedside is often a tumultuous one. For those researchers who successfully made it through this journey, the triumph is preceded by tenacity, perseverance, funding, good science, and sound strategy. They have "done right" on something that is critically important. Bortezomib (Velcade) for multiple myeloma represents a model paradigm that has a lot to teach us. ... Read more

Abstract: Comparisons of gene and protein profiling between sickness and health offer tremendous opportunities for finding new drug targets and aiding clinical trial design, in addition to fueling promising expansion of advanced diagnostics. ... Read more

Abstract: Advanced technologies such as high-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry have taken the center stage in drug discovery, but they have yet to reach the the level scientists have expected. Though developing drugs from natural products is laborious and cumbersome, they boast ingenious molecular structures and have time and again proven to be important precursors to many effective drugs. ... Read more

Abstract: Have the big pharmaceutical companies stopped innovating? The answer is no. With pressure from both generic drug makers and peer competition, pharmaceutical companies, big and small, have every incentive to innovate. Experiencing a lull in recent years by big pharmaceutical companies, there is now the possibility of a sizable increase in new drug approvals over the coming years. ... Read more

Discovery Medicine is endowed with a passion to facilitate a greater utilization of cutting-edge biomedical research information for the advancement of both continued research and patient care. This includes the cross-referencing of important information such as new ideas, technical breakthroughs, and illuminating conclusions among various medical specialties. Non-research physicians and other professionals can quickly obtain the latest information on the new understanding of diseases, new treatment options, and investigational therapies.

Now we are pleased to add non-medically trained, healthcare-conscious individuals to the journal’s audience. Although some articles may be technical in nature and may inevitably use some scientific terms, readers of ... Read more

Abstract: Drug discovery and development is a complex, high octane, high risk and potentially highly rewarding endeavor. Companies literally burn cash to push through the arduous process, to the tune of $802 million per drug. Why is it so high? Who's paying for it? Can this be sustained? ... Read more