Drug Discovery@nature.com 20 December 2013

Advertisement Successful experiments happen with Reichert Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) instruments  Reichert SPR systems generate precise kinetics (on/off rates), affinity and thermodynamics data for lead optimization. The ultra-sensitive systems are flexible and affordable. Discover the importance of rate constants and read about the TraceDrawer data analysis program in the SPR Insider Blog   ReichertSPR.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 20 December 2013 News Analysis Research Highlights Research & Reviews Careers Nature Reviews Drug Discovery is on Twitter Advertisement NATURE REVIEWS CANCER & NATURE REVIEWS CLINICAL ONCOLOGY 2014 CALENDAR  Download the calendar for FREE As well as plundering the Nature Reviews Cancer image bank for more clinically oriented figures for our 2014 calendar, we have chosen six images and figures from our sister journal, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. Our calendar is freely available thanks to support from  OriGene    News Top Diabetes drugs ride a bumpy road doi:10.1038/504198a Safety worries hamper emerging therapies. Full Text Kinesin inhibitor marches toward first-in-class pivotal trial doi:10.1038/nm1213-1550a A Phase III trial is expected to begin next year testing the idea that an inhibitor of the kinesin spindle protein could more specifically target the role of microtubules in cancer. Full Text Bacterium can reverse autism-like behaviour in mice doi:10.1038/nature.2013.14308 Findings support idea that gut microbiome has a role in disorder. Full Text Hopes raised for simplification of cancer research doi:10.1038/nature.2013.14318 Incoming director of major US research centre predicts identification of key genes to target with cancer drugs. Full Text Analysis Top T cells go universal doi:10.1038/scibx.2013.1337 Scientists have engineered T cells that engage in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and enhance the antitumor potential of any immunotherapeutic antibody. Full Text Does size matter in R&D productivity? If not, what does? doi:10.1038/nrd4164 This analysis of factors that affect the likelihood of success in drug research and development (R&D) indicates that scientific acumen and good judgment - particularly with regard to the early termination of less viable drug candidates - are crucial. Full Text Research Highlights Top Autoimmune disease: Parkinson's drug promotes myelin repair doi:10.1038/nrd4181 A study in Nature reports that a drug currently approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease promotes neuronal myelination and decreases the clinical severity of MS in mouse models. Full Text Neurological disorders: Chloride extrusion alleviates neuropathic pain doi:10.1038/nrd4183 Activators of the potassium-chloride co-transporter KCC2 show promising oral efficacy in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Full Text Bone disorders: Targeting NOX4 knocks down osteoporosis doi:10.1038/nrd4182 NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) – an enzyme that is involved in the production of reactive oxygen species – could be a therapeutic target for disorders characterized by bone loss, such as osteoporosis. Full Text Research & Reviews Top Modulation of oxidative stress as an anticancer strategy doi:10.1038/nrd4002 The role of ROS in cancer cells is controversial as they can have both pro-tumorigenic and antitumorigenic properties. This article discusses recent findings that cancer cells upregulate antioxidant pathways to counteract ROS, and explores the potential of anticancer strategies that target the antioxidant capacity of tumour cells. Full Text Chemical predictive modelling to improve compound quality doi:10.1038/nrd4128 The potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetic characteristics of small-molecule compounds are some of the key factors influencing their chances of success in clinical trials. This article discusses the application of computational methods, particularly quantitative structure-activity relationships, in guiding the selection of higher-quality drug candidates. Full Text bHLH–PAS proteins in cancer doi:10.1038/nrc3621 Mammalian basic HLH (helix-loop-helix)-PER-ARNT-SIM (bHLH-PAS) proteins are heterodimeric transcription factors. Recently determined structures of their PAS domains and successful small-molecule screening programmes are now providing new opportunities to discover selective agonists and antagonists directed against this multitasking family of transcription factors. Full Text Antimalarial drug discovery — approaches and progress towards new medicines doi:10.1038/nrmicro3138 Current antimalarial therapy heavily relies on artemisinins, a drug class that only targets the blood stages of the parasite and which is increasingly feared to elicit drug resistance. This article discusses the approaches used to develop novel drugs that are active against different life cycle stages with the ultimate aim of eliminating malaria. Full Text Drug Discovery JOBS of the week Associate Medical Director-US Drug Safety, Medical Affairs Genentech, Inc. Medical Director, Global Drug Safety Product Leader (m / f) Merck Group Characterization of amino acid transporters of Trypanosoma brucei and their role as drug delivery systems or drug targets University of Bern, Institute of Plant Sciences Associate Scientist, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics-Bioanalytical (DMPK-BA) Genentech, Inc. Research Assistant, Controlled Drug Release From Biodegradable And Biocompatible Platforms Waterford Institute of Technology More Science jobs from Drug Discovery EVENT 6th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy 10.02.14 Dubai More science events from Careers Top Career snapshots archive Career snapshots feature people associated with drug discovery and drug development, with the aim of providing expert insights and advice on a wide range of positions and career paths in this field. Full Text Top Natureevents is a fully searchable, multi-disciplinary database designed to maximise exposure for events organisers. The contents of the Natureevents Directory are now live. The digital version is available here. Find the latest scientific conferences, courses, meetings and symposia on natureevents.com. For event advertising opportunities across the Nature Publishing Group portfolio please contact natureevents@nature.com More Nature Events

You have been sent this Table of Contents Alert because you have opted in to receive it. You can change or discontinue your e-mail alerts at any time, by modifying your preferences on your nature.com account at: www.nature.com/myaccount (You will need to log in to be recognised as a nature.com registrant) For further technical assistance, please contact our registration department For print subscription enquiries, please contact our subscription department For other enquiries, please contact our customer feedback department Nature Publishing Group | 75 Varick Street, 9th Floor | New York | NY 10013-1917 | USA Nature Publishing Group's worldwide offices: London - Paris - Munich - New Delhi - Tokyo - Melbourne San Diego - San Francisco - Washington - New York - Boston Macmillan Publishers Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales under company number 785998 and whose registered office is located at Brunel Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. © Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited. All Rights Reserved.