Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

A Fluorescence-based Protocol for Preliminary Screening of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors from Natural Sources
Published on: January 27, 2026
Combretastatins: from natural products to drug discovery
1School of Chemistry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5AG, Northern Ireland.
Abstract:
The combretastatins are a group of anti-mitotic agents isolated from the bark of the South African tree Combretum caffrum. The most potent member is combretastatin A-4, and this compound together with a phosphate pro-drug form have already progressed through into clinical trails for the treatment of solid tumours. What makes this class of compounds rather more interesting than other anti-mitotic agents is that they are also angiogenesis inhibitors, and are being evaluated for their efficacy in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy which is the biggest single cause of blindness They are thus of considerable contemporary interest.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drug Discovery: Overview
Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence its...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...

