Science Synergy

A not-for-profit organisation known as the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) was formed in 2003 with the premise that drug discovery research should be open access, allowing researchers to work together sharing insight and expertise. By making all their research freely available to the scientific community, the SGC has already aided and accelerated drug discovery. Since its launch, the SGC has characterised more than 1700 high-resolution crystal structures of human and parasite proteins – pictured are ribbon diagrams of four of many medically relevant human proteins publicly released by the SGC. Today they’re exploring a new avenue of research by developing assays for human-derived cells. Donated tumour cells and stem cells from patients with cancer or neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, will be analysed to determine their function and activity. These cells will then serve as targets for new medicines, and can be tested against the SGC’s current catalogue of chemical probes.

Written by Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas

Writer

Currently at Warwick University, Helen is working towards a chemistry doctorate in nanomaterials. However her scientific interests remain broad, and she enjoys exploring these different areas as a writer for the University paper.

• Image by the Structural Genomics Consortium
• Copyright held by original author
• Article published in Nature Biotechnology, May 2015