Protein-binding affinity model expands role of AI in drug discovery

Jun, Mon, 2025
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Understanding how molecules interact is central to biology: from decoding how living organisms function to uncovering disease mechanisms and developing life-saving drugs. In recent years, models like AlphaFold changed our ability to predict the 3D structure of proteins, offering crucial insights into molecular shape and interaction.

'Bio-stickers' speed up plastic breakdown in marine environments
Plastic waste poses an urgent problem for the planet's ecosystems, especially in waterways. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter Earth's oceans every year, and plastic has been found in every part of the ocean, including at the bottom of the deepest ocean trenches.
Revised mushroom toxin pathway could improve poisoning detection
The St. George's mushroom (Calocybe gambosa) is a popular edible mushroom, usually picked in May. Unfortunately, however, it also carries a risk as it can easily be confused with the young deadly fiber cap, which can potentially lead to fatal poisoning. The reason for this is the mushroom toxin muscarine, which is present in high concentrations in the deadly fiber cap. Muscarine is best known from the fly agaric, in which it was first discovered.
New biosynthesis platform could enable bioactive compounds to be labeled, targeted and released on demand
Many medically important drugs originate from natural sources. Microorganisms produce these compounds using highly sophisticated and remarkably precise enzymatic assembly lines. Many natural microbial products belong to a class known as nonribosomal peptides—short chains of amino acids that often possess pharmacologically relevant biological activities, including antibiotic effects.
Protein shape mapping could detect diseases before symptoms appear
A University of Mississippi professor and his team have developed a technology that may one day lead to the early diagnosis of juvenile diabetes and CTE caused by traumatic brain injuries. The technology allows researchers to see and label protein shapes and interactions in mammal blood that can possibly lead to an earlier diagnosis of disease before a person even shows symptoms.
Five-tea comparison reveals kombucha's biological properties depend on starting point
Over the past few years, kombucha has become one of the world's most popular fermented beverages. While most consumers focus primarily on its taste, scientists are increasingly analyzing its chemical composition and potential biological properties.