In many cases, the decision to take or prescribe a particular medication is a matter of weighing the benefits versus the side effects. The effort to minimize or eliminate such unwanted effects has thus been the subject of much research. In an effort to pave the way to side effect-free drugs, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have now developed a technique to precisely target molecules within cells.
Currently, drugs tend to be developed to entirely block a molecule seen as harmful. The authors of the study point out that this has downsides too, as a molecule that is harmful in one part of the cell can be doing something important in other parts. Inability to carry out these beneficial effects is often the cause of harmful side effects.
The new technique refines this technique by manipulate molecules from compartment to compartment within individual cells. This allows for targeting of a specific molecule’s particular action in a specific location, adding a new level of precision.
The researchers believe this will be particularly useful for treating diseases including cancer and neurological conditions like autism and Alzheimer’s. Their findings are published in the journal Neuron.