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Optical tweezers for drug discovery
Matthew T J Halma1, Jack A Tuszynski2, Gijs J L Wuite3
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; LUMICKS B.V, Paalbergweg 3, 1105 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Drug Discovery Today
|November 17, 2022
Summary
Optical tweezers reveal dynamic protein conformations for drug discovery, aiding in targeting previously undruggable proteins and increasing drug candidate numbers. This technology enhances understanding of target dynamics and compound interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Traditional drug discovery is time-consuming and expensive, involving computational screening, compound assays, and clinical trials.
- Many therapeutic targets, particularly proteins, remain 'undruggable' due to complex structural dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of optical tweezers in drug discovery.
- To highlight how dynamic conformational information from optical tweezers can address challenges in targeting 'undruggable' proteins.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing optical tweezers to obtain dynamic conformational information of proteins.
- Analyzing the link between biological mechanisms and protein structural conformations.
- Developing integrated workflows with software and sample preparation for optical tweezers.
Main Results:
- Optical tweezers provide crucial insights into protein dynamics and their relationship with biological function.
- This technology can elucidate interactions between drug compounds and their protein targets.
- It offers a complementary approach to enhance drug discovery pipelines.
Conclusions:
- Optical tweezers offer a valuable tool for drug discovery by providing dynamic conformational data.
- Adoption of optical tweezers, supported by improved workflows, can accelerate the identification of novel drug candidates.
- The technique enhances the understanding of complex protein dynamics and interactions, enabling the targeting of challenging proteins.
