A computational solution to improving drugs
Drug development has until recently been a case of trial and error. However, new technology is now available that can help drug development become more strategic and targeted, and thus more efficient. The EU-funded project GBMTARGET (Targeting glioblastoma signalling) aimed to lock-in on the proteins associated with brain tumours and improve drug targeting of these tumours. The researchers would make use of computer models to identify where drugs need to act to tackle this cancer. Researchers used modelling to identify where the drugs are needed in order to best treat different diseases. They tested their approach against a brain tumour using CATH-FunFams proteins. GBMTARGET showed that CATH-FunFams proteins can be used to act against gliomas, a specific type of brain tumour. The researchers also identified potential drug targets by modelling the network of signals in the glioma. The computational platform used by GBMTARGET can also be used to test drug efficacy for other types of cancer as well as other diseases.
