Target Discovery--Select Biosciences' World Congress. 4-5 August 2009, San Francisco, CA, USA

Area of Science:

• Drug Discovery and Development
• Oncology
• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The Target Discovery World Congress convened experts to discuss advancements in identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets.
• The conference focused on innovative screening platforms and strategies for accelerating drug discovery pipelines.

Framework:

• Presentations explored the inhibition of specific cancer targets, such as Braf and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC).
• Discussions covered the therapeutic potential of targeting protein kinases in both cancer and neurological disease contexts.
• An assay designed for the development of kinase inhibitors was a key focus, highlighting new methodologies.

Implementation:

• The congress showcased research on deorphanized nuclear receptors as promising new drug targets.
• Strategies for the rational design of kinase inhibitors were presented, emphasizing structure-activity relationships.

Implications:

• These advancements in target discovery and screening platforms are crucial for developing next-generation therapeutics.
• The identification of novel targets like deorphanized nuclear receptors and kinases offers new avenues for treating complex diseases.
• The congress underscored the interdisciplinary nature of modern drug discovery, integrating molecular biology, oncology, and neuroscience insights.