New Generation Taxoids and Taxanes Paclitaxel and docetaxel have developed into two of the most widely used agents for cancer chemotherapy, with combined sales of roughly 2.8 billion dollars in 2006, however, their lack of tumor-specificity frequently causes the patient to suffer from serious and dangerous side effects. Click to read more |
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Tumor-targeting Drug Delivery The drug discovery program includes tumor-specific drug delivery systems, “guided molecular missiles” in the fight against cancer. Despite the significant progress in the development of cancer detection, prevention, surgery and therapy, there is still no common cure for this disease. Click to read more
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Anti-microbials Targeting FtsZ The program also includes novel antibacterial agents against drug-resistant tuberculosis, MRSA, VRE and other pathogens. Despite extensive research in the last 40 years, the drugs used to treat these infections are still limited to rather classical antibacterial drugs that target cell wall biosynthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, etc. Click to read more |
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New Synthetic Methods and Asymmetric Synthesis The Ojima Laboratory has been exploring and developing new methodologies, especially based on catalytic organic transformations, including enantioselective processes, cyclohydrocarbonylations and higher order cycloadditions and carbocyclizations, which provide the basis for the efficient syntheses of biologically active substances of medicinal interest, such as those anticancer and antibacterial agents mentioned above. Click to read more |
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Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP) Inhibitors Fatty acids play many important roles in the body. One such fatty acid is anandamide, an endocannabinoid that is linked to the regulation of stress, pain, and inflammation. Fatty acids, because of their hydrophobicity, require the help of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) to be transported throughout cells. Anandamide targets cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) on cell surface. Activation of the CB, receptor leads to pain relief and stress relief. Click to read more
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Antifungal Agents Targeting GluCer Synthesis More than 300 million people are affected by serious fungal infections globally. Current drugs have a variety of drawbacks including drug-drug interactions, toxicity and narrow spectrum of activity. With the emergence of fungal infections resistant to current drugs, there is an urgent need for the development of new antifungal agents with novel mechanisms of action. In this context, fungal sphingolipids that are essential for their virulence in alkaline environment is a potential target for the development of new antifungal agents. Glucosyl Ceramide (GlcCer), is one such sphingolipid that can be potentially targeted. Click to read more |
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