News round-up for 27 November – 1 December by DDW Digital Content Editor Diana Spencer.

The key drug discovery news this week focuses on experimental approaches to the treatment of some of the most challenging diseases, including a mathematical model that can simulate Alzheimer’s progression and using CRISPR gene editing to ‘shred’ tumours.

The top stories:

Potential disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease

An experimental drug has shown potential as a disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.

Stem cell therapy shows promise in advanced MS

An international team of scientists has shown that a stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) could prevent further damage to the brain.

Can a plant-based discovery pave the way for new drug treatments?

Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a way of joining up the head and tail of a protein, making it more stable and easier to get into cells.

Mathematical model can speed up Alzheimer’s drug development

Researchers have created a mathematical model that can accurately predict Alzheimer’s disease progression in individual patients, paving the way for personalised treatment and faster development of therapies.

CRISPR ‘cancer shredding’ technique destroys brain tumours

Scientists have used CRISPR gene editing to target and rapidly destroy glioblastoma cells in an approach that could apply to other highly mutated cancers.