75,338 research outputs found
Influenza A nucleoprotein binding sites for antivirals: current research and future potential
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Andreas Kukol and Hershna Patel, ‘Influenza A nucleoprotein binding sites for antivirals: current research and future potential’, Future Biology, Vol 9(7): 625-627, July 2014. The version of record is available online at doi: 10.2217/fvl.14.45Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
Evolutionary conservation of influenza A PB2 sequences reveals potential target sites for small molecule inhibitors.
The influenza A basic polymerase protein 2 (PB2) functions as part of a heterotrimer to replicate the viral RNA genome. To investigate novel PB2 antiviral target sites, this work identified evolutionary conserved regions across the PB2 protein sequence amongst all sub-types and hosts, as well as ligand binding hot spots which overlap with highly conserved areas. Fifteen binding sites were predicted in different PB2 domains; some of which reside in areas of unknown function. Virtual screening of ~50,000 drug-like compounds showed binding affinities of up to 10.3 kcal/mol. The highest affinity molecules were found to interact with conserved residues including Gln138, Gly222, Ile529, Asn540 and Thr530. A library containing 1738 FDA approved drugs were screened additionally and revealed Paliperidone as a top hit with a binding affinity of -10 kcal/mol. Predicted ligands are ideal leads for new antivirals as they were targeted to evolutionary conserved binding sites
Evaluation of a novel virtual screening strategy using receptor decoy binding sites
Virtual screening is used in biomedical research to predict the binding affinity of a large set of small organic molecules to protein receptor targets. This report shows the development and evaluation of a novel yet straightforward attempt to improve this ranking in receptor-based molecular docking using a receptor-decoy strategy. This strategy includes defining a decoy binding site on the receptor and adjusting the ranking of the true binding-site virtual screen based on the decoy-site screen. The results show that by docking against a receptor-decoy site with Autodock Vina, improved Receiver Operator Characteristic Enrichment (ROCE) was achieved for 5 out of fifteen receptor targets investigated, when up to 15 % of a decoy site rank list was considered. No improved enrichment was seen for 7 targets, while for 3 targets the ROCE was reduced. The extent to which this strategy can effectively improve ligand prediction is dependent on the target receptor investigated
Search on a Hypercubic Lattice using a Quantum Random Walk: I. d>2
Random walks describe diffusion processes, where movement at every time step
is restricted to only the neighbouring locations. We construct a quantum random
walk algorithm, based on discretisation of the Dirac evolution operator
inspired by staggered lattice fermions. We use it to investigate the spatial
search problem, i.e. finding a marked vertex on a -dimensional hypercubic
lattice. The restriction on movement hardly matters for , and scaling
behaviour close to Grover's optimal algorithm (which has no restriction on
movement) can be achieved. Using numerical simulations, we optimise the
proportionality constants of the scaling behaviour, and demonstrate the
approach to that for Grover's algorithm (equivalent to the mean field theory or
the limit). In particular, the scaling behaviour for is only
about 25% higher than the optimal value.Comment: 11 pages, Revtex (v2) Introduction and references expanded. Published
versio
Should an intercalated degree be compulsory for undergraduate medical students?
Undertaking an intercalated year whilst at medical school involves taking time out of the medicine undergraduate programme in order to pursue a separate but related degree. It is widely seen as a challenging but rewarding experience, with much to be gained from the independent project or research component of most additional degrees. However, whilst intercalating is encouraged at many universities and is incorporated into some undergraduate curricula, it is by no means compulsory for all students. The literature would suggest that those who have intercalated tend to do better academically, both for the remainder of medical school and after graduating. Despite this, the issue of making intercalation mandatory is one of considerable debate, with counter-arguments ranging from the detrimental effect time taken out of the course can have to the lack of options available to cater for all students. Nonetheless, the research skills developed during an intercalated year are invaluable and help students prepare for taking a critical evidence-based approach to medicine. If intercalated degrees were made compulsory for undergraduates, it would be a step in the right direction. It would mean the doctors of tomorrow would be better equipped to practise medicine in disciplines that are constantly evolving
Hydrodynamic flows of non-Fermi liquids: magnetotransport and bilayer drag
We consider a hydrodynamic description of transport for generic two
dimensional electron systems that lack Galilean invariance and do not fall into
the category of Fermi liquids. We study magnetoresistance and show that it is
governed only by the electronic viscosity provided that the wavelength of the
underlying disorder potential is large compared to the microscopic
equilibration length. We also derive the Coulomb drag transresistance for
double-layer non-Fermi liquid systems in the hydrodynamic regime. As an
example, we consider frictional drag between two quantum Hall states with
half-filled lowest Landau levels, each described by a Fermi surface of
composite fermions coupled to a gauge field. We contrast our results to
prior calculations of drag of Chern-Simons composite particles and place our
findings in the context of available experimental data.Comment: 4 pages + references + supplementary information, 1 figur
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