Derek Lowe, an Arkansan by birth, got his BA from Hendrix College and his PhD in organic chemistry from Duke before spending time in Germany on a Humboldt Fellowship on his post-doc. He's worked for several major pharmaceutical companies since 1989 on drug discovery projects against schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, diabetes, osteoporosis and other diseases.
To contact Derek email him directly: derekb.lowe@gmail.com
Twitter: Dereklowe
I wanted to let everyone know that I'm back from my break, and will resume regular blogging tomorrow. I have a few topics queued up, but in case I've missed something - any big stories out there that we should be talking about?
Another link for the "Natural Products: Not the Best Fit for Drugs?" topic from Jul 12, 2010.
Bioactivity-Guided Navigation of Chemical Space.
Robin S. Bon and Herbert Waldmann. Acc. Chem. Res., May 19, 2010, DOI: 10.1021/ar100014h
A central aim of biological research is to elucidate the many roles of proteins in complex, dynamic living systems; the selective perturbation of protein function is an important tool in achieving this goal. Because chemical perturbations offer opportunities often not accessible with genetic methods, the development of small-molecule modulators of protein function is at the heart of chemical biology research. In this endeavor, the identification of biologically relevant starting points within the vast chemical space available for the design of compound collections is a particularly relevant, yet difficult, task.
In this Account, we present our research aimed at linking chemical and biological space to define suitable starting points that guide the synthesis of compound collections with biological relevance.
I have always wondered what the scientific community on this blog thinks about this process (http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org/body_press.cfm?id=15&UserAction=PressDetails&action=detail&ref=207) which has been proposed as a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis. I believe it was first proposed/discovered by an Italian doctor and is now being explored as an alternative to drug therapies.
Anon #2: I would not hold your breath on that one. I have extensive experience in multiple sclerosis research and clinical development. I think the NMSS is going to waste a lot of money on this red herring.
The layoffs at Sanofi-Aventis. I recently heard about some former colleagues who had significant amount of service (20+ years) with Aventis/Rhone-Poulenc Rorer/Rorer (anyone remember them?) who got the axe there....
Glad you're back! I was missing this blog. I always enjoy your entries, even coming as I do from a non-chemisty background. If you've heard of any horrifying new chemicals you won't work with, or any ridiculous horror stories of laboratory ineptitude those are always a welcome treat :)
8. Mr E chemist on July 22, 2010 7:28 PM writes...
Bluto #5 , I am a former Rorer chemist now at another pharma, many friends and former colleagues at Sanofi-Aventis? How bad was it , did medchem get hit hard?
I second #10 on the PPARgamma ligand connection with CDK5 phosphorylation. One question that came to mind reading about that research: how good are the mouse models of diabetes?
@2: The NY Times had a good long article on this:
www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/health/29vein.html
One disturbing quote from the article:
"On June 29, the team in Buffalo is to begin the first treatment study to include a control group. The controls will be given a sham procedure, and compared with others who get the real thing. Initially, 30 patients — only those with an early form of the disease — will be enrolled."
So, despite all the hullabaloo, *noone* had done a study with a control group? For a disease whose progression is so sporadic, that seems crazy.
I'm skeptical about both the theory and the treatment, but I have to say that this is the kind of alternative medicine that merits research simply because patients are using it already regardless of the scientific evidence.
I'd be interested in the opinions of the readership on the latest (organic, Pchem, NMR, biochemistry, molecular biology etc. etc.) textbooks. It took me quite a while to find an organometallic textbook which put the disposition in space of the d orbitals of the metals front and center.
I think the pond just got broader - to my rather untrained eye, this looks like the EU is continuing to treat it as a biologic (because it's so irregular and comes from biologic source materials), while the US 505j approach potentially means more of a small molecule approach...but other than the LWMHs, what else falls between these two stools?
This is what I've heard regarding S-A: pilot plant closing by end of 2010 - 30 chemists losing their jobs. Medicinal chemistry is losing ~20 chemists (out of ~75 total) - from very experienced to newbies (must balance it out to make it look good, you know). All told, ~50 scientists being displaced at Bridgewater - with a hint that Bridgewater might not be in management's plan past 2015.
Do an entry on the scientist at Duke who got suspended for faking a Rhodes scholarship (I think) on his biosketch et al and publishing very questionable findings. Brings up the whole issue of nobody actively patrolling BS science because there's no upside.
Today, with the fast lifestyle that everyone is having, credit cards have a huge demand in the economy. Persons from every area are using credit card and people who not using the credit card have prepared to apply for one in particular. Thanks for sharing your ideas on credit cards.
Computer drives are much better at reading CD-R than stand alone DVD players. DVD players are more likely to produce glitches in the picture, but on a computer these errors are corrected.
College chemistry, 1983
The 2002 Model
After 10 years of blogging. . .
1. newnickname on July 22, 2010 1:50 PM writes...
Another link for the "Natural Products: Not the Best Fit for Drugs?" topic from Jul 12, 2010.
Bioactivity-Guided Navigation of Chemical Space.
Robin S. Bon and Herbert Waldmann. Acc. Chem. Res., May 19, 2010, DOI: 10.1021/ar100014h
A central aim of biological research is to elucidate the many roles of proteins in complex, dynamic living systems; the selective perturbation of protein function is an important tool in achieving this goal. Because chemical perturbations offer opportunities often not accessible with genetic methods, the development of small-molecule modulators of protein function is at the heart of chemical biology research. In this endeavor, the identification of biologically relevant starting points within the vast chemical space available for the design of compound collections is a particularly relevant, yet difficult, task.
In this Account, we present our research aimed at linking chemical and biological space to define suitable starting points that guide the synthesis of compound collections with biological relevance.
Permalink to Comment2. Anonymous on July 22, 2010 4:18 PM writes...
I have always wondered what the scientific community on this blog thinks about this process (http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org/body_press.cfm?id=15&UserAction=PressDetails&action=detail&ref=207) which has been proposed as a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis. I believe it was first proposed/discovered by an Italian doctor and is now being explored as an alternative to drug therapies.
Permalink to Comment3. Don Monroe on July 22, 2010 4:21 PM writes...
Avastin. Probably you're on that already, though.
Permalink to CommentWelcome back.
4. cynical1 on July 22, 2010 5:08 PM writes...
Anon #2: I would not hold your breath on that one. I have extensive experience in multiple sclerosis research and clinical development. I think the NMSS is going to waste a lot of money on this red herring.
Permalink to Comment5. Bluto Blutarsky on July 22, 2010 6:20 PM writes...
The layoffs at Sanofi-Aventis. I recently heard about some former colleagues who had significant amount of service (20+ years) with Aventis/Rhone-Poulenc Rorer/Rorer (anyone remember them?) who got the axe there....
Permalink to Comment6. Mike on July 22, 2010 6:25 PM writes...
Glad you're back! I was missing this blog. I always enjoy your entries, even coming as I do from a non-chemisty background. If you've heard of any horrifying new chemicals you won't work with, or any ridiculous horror stories of laboratory ineptitude those are always a welcome treat :)
Permalink to Comment7. bbooooooya on July 22, 2010 6:39 PM writes...
VVUS ad panel!
Apparently 1 yr safety, which was worth SPA from FDA, did not merit thumbs up from ad panel.
Interesting to see how plays out on oct 22, and what happens to arna on sept 16.
too bad you can't bottle exercise and sensible eating.
Permalink to Comment8. Mr E chemist on July 22, 2010 7:28 PM writes...
Bluto #5 , I am a former Rorer chemist now at another pharma, many friends and former colleagues at Sanofi-Aventis? How bad was it , did medchem get hit hard?
Permalink to Comment9. biochap on July 22, 2010 10:43 PM writes...
Lilly CEO: Pipeline to soften patent losses
Permalink to Comment10. Knight on July 23, 2010 2:27 AM writes...
PPARgamma ligand and cdk5
Permalink to CommentNature doi:10.1038/nature09291
11. befuddled on July 23, 2010 5:19 AM writes...
I second #10 on the PPARgamma ligand connection with CDK5 phosphorylation. One question that came to mind reading about that research: how good are the mouse models of diabetes?
@2: The NY Times had a good long article on this:
www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/health/29vein.html
One disturbing quote from the article:
"On June 29, the team in Buffalo is to begin the first treatment study to include a control group. The controls will be given a sham procedure, and compared with others who get the real thing. Initially, 30 patients — only those with an early form of the disease — will be enrolled."
So, despite all the hullabaloo, *noone* had done a study with a control group? For a disease whose progression is so sporadic, that seems crazy.
I'm skeptical about both the theory and the treatment, but I have to say that this is the kind of alternative medicine that merits research simply because patients are using it already regardless of the scientific evidence.
Permalink to Comment12. retread on July 23, 2010 9:24 AM writes...
I'd be interested in the opinions of the readership on the latest (organic, Pchem, NMR, biochemistry, molecular biology etc. etc.) textbooks. It took me quite a while to find an organometallic textbook which put the disposition in space of the d orbitals of the metals front and center.
Permalink to Comment13. Anonymous on July 23, 2010 10:29 AM writes...
How about the following news shared at the International AIDS conference this week?
http://www.sciencemag.org/hottopics/hivprevention/index.dtl
Permalink to Comment14. Jingle on July 23, 2010 10:35 AM writes...
Generic enoxaparin.
I think the pond just got broader - to my rather untrained eye, this looks like the EU is continuing to treat it as a biologic (because it's so irregular and comes from biologic source materials), while the US 505j approach potentially means more of a small molecule approach...but other than the LWMHs, what else falls between these two stools?
Permalink to Comment15. Anonymous on July 23, 2010 12:18 PM writes...
To Senator Blutarsky and Mr. E Chemist:
This is what I've heard regarding S-A: pilot plant closing by end of 2010 - 30 chemists losing their jobs. Medicinal chemistry is losing ~20 chemists (out of ~75 total) - from very experienced to newbies (must balance it out to make it look good, you know). All told, ~50 scientists being displaced at Bridgewater - with a hint that Bridgewater might not be in management's plan past 2015.
Permalink to Comment16. Anonymous on July 23, 2010 12:24 PM writes...
Do an entry on the scientist at Duke who got suspended for faking a Rhodes scholarship (I think) on his biosketch et al and publishing very questionable findings. Brings up the whole issue of nobody actively patrolling BS science because there's no upside.
Permalink to Comment17. MIMD on July 24, 2010 7:32 AM writes...
On Duke, see post here.
Permalink to Comment18. Anonymous on July 26, 2010 8:38 AM writes...
This was a great post & quote from Pharmalot last week:
"Not a good side effect for people paid to carry guns."
http://www.pharmalot.com/2010/07/chantix-and-violence-what-patients-have-in-common/
Permalink to Comment19. Lavone Chirco on March 1, 2012 2:20 PM writes...
Today, with the fast lifestyle that everyone is having, credit cards have a huge demand in the economy. Persons from every area are using credit card and people who not using the credit card have prepared to apply for one in particular. Thanks for sharing your ideas on credit cards.
Permalink to Comment20. food and art on May 8, 2012 5:23 PM writes...
Computer drives are much better at reading CD-R than stand alone DVD players. DVD players are more likely to produce glitches in the picture, but on a computer these errors are corrected.
Permalink to Comment