Designing materials for biology and medicine

Biomaterials have played an enormous role in the success of medical devices and drug delivery systems. We discuss here new challenges and directions in biomaterials research. These include synthetic replacements for biological tissues, designing materials for specific medical applications, and materials for new applications such as diagnostics and array technologies.     

单线态氧分子：生物学和医学

单线态氧分子(1 O2)是一个具有高度化学反应活性的内源性信号分子,可以在机体的正常细胞生理活动中产生.它与生物分子的双价键发生特定加合反应,在细胞水平主要氧化功能性和结构性蛋白质.1 O2永久性激活胆囊收缩素1型受体CCK1R,并对其他G 蛋白偶联受体具有差别性调控作用.1 O2具有与其他活性氧明显不同的细胞反应.1 O2抑制多种类型的电压门控钠通道 Nav 和钾通道 Kv ,但是激活某些类型的 TRP 通道如TRPA1和TRPV1.1 O2也特异性调控信号转导过程中的多种信号蛋白,如激活钙离子钙调素依赖性激酶 II.1 O2对细胞功能的这些特定调节,不但在肿瘤的光动力治疗中得到应用,也正在逐渐形成一门以细胞信号转导调控为基础的光控药理学学科.     

Conservation biology: lion attacks on humans in Tanzania

Large carnivores inspire opposition to conservation efforts owing to their impact on livestock and human safety. Here we analyse the pattern of lion attacks over the past 15 years on humans in Tanzania, which has the largest population of lions in Africa, and find that they have killed more than 563 Tanzanians since 1990 and injured at least 308. Attacks have increased dramatically during this time: they peak at harvest time each year and are most frequent in areas with few prey apart from bush pigs (Potamochoerus larvatus), the most common nocturnal crop pest. Our findings provide an important starting point for devising strategies to reduce the risk to rural Tanzanians of lion attacks.     

Navigating chemical space for biology and medicine

Despite over a century of applying organic synthesis to the search for drugs, we are still far from even a cursory examination of the vast number of possible small molecules that could be created. Indeed, a thorough examination of all 'chemical space' is practically impossible. Given this, what are the best strategies for identifying small molecules that modulate biological targets? And how might such strategies differ, depending on whether the primary goal is to understand biological systems or to develop potential drugs?