Close
13/12/2017
ALBA Synchrotron Works for People’s Health
Two recent works remind us that ALBA synchrotron is a very valuable tool to help develop new drugs.

On one hand, using the MIRAS beam line of the ALBA synchrotron (infrared radiations), researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the ALBA Synchrotron have demonstrated in a paper the capability of metalosomes - aggregates made of phospholipids and metal complexes - to interact with cells and release carbon monoxide in a controlled way (CO release can be beneficial because of its anti-inflammatory, vasodilator and cardio protective properties).
 
On the other hand, in another publication, a team led by researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) has unveiled the mechanism of action of two drugs, FR60 and JNI18, which cure 100% of mice with sleeping sickness. Using X-rays of the ALBA XALOC beam line, they have observed how these drugs perfectly stacked on the Trypanosoma brucei’s DNA, the parasite that causes the disease (image). Blocking and inflicting specific damage on its DNA, the parasite cannot reproduce and finally dies after 4-5 days.
 

More news

30/04/2015 The Library Living Lab opens its doors 23/04/2015 8 million Euros turnover for the Start-ups settled in the PRUAB 16/04/2015 The BSP opens its new head office 09/04/2015 Three important projects awarded to SENER 25/03/2015 ALBA synchrotron supports the pharmaceutical industry 20/03/2015 Barcelona named top smart city in the world
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43