Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

February 27, 2026

28/02/2026

New way to intentionally discover molecular glues could expand drug discovery Scripps Research scientists and colleagues show how drugs that eliminate certain disease-driving proteins can be discovered systematically rather than by chance.

February 27, 2026

LA JOLLA, CA Though many drugs are designed to block the activity of proteins involved in disease, some compounds, called degraders, can go a step further by removing problematic proteins from a cell altogether. Molecular glue degraders do this by binding to a target protein and then forcing it to interact with the cell's natural disposal system. But while molecular glues hold promise for treating diseases driven by hard-to-target proteins, most have been discovered by accident, leaving scientists without a clear roadmap for finding new ones.

Now, a new collaborative study from Scripps Research reports a way to change that. Published in Nature Chemical Biology on February 16, 2026, the study was led by Michael Erb, an associate professor of chemistry at Scripps Research, and Georg Winter, a former principal investigator at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences who's now the scientific director of the AITHYRA Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Their findings describe a strategy for discovering molecular glues deliberately rather than by chance. The approach starts with small molecules that are already known to stick to a specific protein but don't mark it for removal. By making subtle chemical changes and testing the results, the researchers asked whether those same molecules could be transformed into molecular glues that cause a cell to eliminate a target protein.

Discovering molecular glues purposely and prospectively has been a long-standing challenge with very few solutions, says Erb. What we show here is that it's possible to take a molecule that already binds to a specific protein and convert it into a molecular glue that eliminates the protein.

In earlier work, Erb and others had identified small starter molecules that stick to proteins with key roles in cancer and gene regulation but don't trigger their removal from a cell. The question was whether subtle chemical changes could give those same molecules entirely new behaviors, ultimately removing a target protein rather than just sticking to it.

To find out, the team of the current study generated roughly 3,000 slightly altered versions of each starting molecule. Each version differed by a small chemical add-on, but all were based on the same core structure. The researchers tested these variants in cells to determine whether any caused the target protein to be pulled into contact with the cell's protein-disposal system.

Going into our project, one of the biggest unknowns was scale since we didn't know whether we'd need to test a few hundred molecules or many thousands to find molecular glues, recalls Erb. When we started to see signs that some molecules were beginning to trigger protein removal, that's when it became clear this strategy may actually be viable.

Using this approach, the team ultimately focused on three compounds that triggered targeted protein degradation. Two of these compounds acted through glue-like mechanisms: binding to the target protein first and then recruiting the cell's protein-degradation machinery. One compound selectively eliminated the cancer-related eleven-nineteen leukemia (ENL) protein in leukemia cells, while the other induced degradation of BRD4 (a protein that controls gene expression related to cancer) by engaging a component of the degradation machinery that hadn't previously been harnessed for this purpose.

Importantly, the study also revealed that not all molecular glues work in the same way. In the case of ENL, the newly discovered compound only engaged the degradation machinery after first sticking to the target protein, forming a combined surface that stabilized the interaction. This cooperative mechanism helps explain why small structural changes can have such significant effects, and why these compounds are difficult to predict without testing thousands of chemical variations.

Beyond cell-based experiments, the researchers showed that one of the ENL-targeting compounds could reduce levels of the problematic protein in mouse models, suggesting it may be relevant as a starting point for future drug development. Still, Erb is careful to point out what the study doesn't yet solve.

This approach starts with a protein that you can already bind with a small molecule, but it doesn't suddenly make it possible to find drugs for hard-to-target proteins that don't readily bind to small molecules, he explains. Instead, it gives us a way to turn molecules that don't do much on their own into something more functional.

Erb cites his previous work on FOXA1, which is linked to hormone-driven breast and prostate cancer, as an example. Working with the lab of Benjamin Cravatt, the Gilula Chair in Biology and a professor of chemistry at Scripps Research, Erb's lab showed that small molecules could bind to FOXA1. The new method now offers a potential way to go further, turning these molecules into compounds that actively control the protein's fate in a cell.

A lot of progress has been made in finding molecules that bind to proteins that were historically difficult to target with drugs, Erb points out. The challenge in many cases is figuring out what to do with those binders, and this novel approach gives us a new way forward.

In addition to Erb and Winter, authors of the study, High-throughput ligand diversification to discover chemical inducers of proximity, include James B. Shaum, Erica A. Steen, Jordan Janowski, Eric M. Bilotta, Paige A. Bart
LINK: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2026/20260227-erb-n...
See more stories from scripps

North America Stories

28/02/2026

Berklee Presents Mambo Mania: Eguie Castrillo and the Berklee All-Stars Big Band's Tribute to Eddie Palmieri

Berklee Presents Mambo Mania: Eguie Castrillo and the Berklee All-Stars Big Band...

28/02/2026

Berklee Announces Two New Summer Programs in Los Angeles

Berklee Announces Two New Summer Programs in Los Angeles The Berklee Music Business Program and Electronic Music Production and Sound Design Workshop bring imme...

28/02/2026

February 27, 2026

New way to intentionally discover molecular glues could expand drug discovery Scripps Research scientists and colleagues show how drugs that eliminate certain d...

27/02/2026

Scripps Appoints Oliver Gray as Vice President, Network Sports and Client Partnerships

The E.W. Scripps Company names Oliver Gray as Vice President, Network Sports and...

27/02/2026

Gotham Sports App Now Available for Purchase Through Prime Video

The Gotham Sports App, the exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming home of MSG Networks and the YES Network, is now available for purchase through Prime Video fo...

27/02/2026

ESPN, Horizon League Extend Long-Standing Rights Agreement

ESPN and the Horizon League announce a new multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement, continuing a 38-year collaboration that began with the 1988 Midwes...

27/02/2026

NETGEAR to Showcase Expanded Broadcast Portfolio at 2026 NAB Show

At the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas, NETGEAR will highlight its new switch models and major updates to its Engage Controller software. The company's network d...

27/02/2026

Teatro alla Scala Elevates Backstage Communication with Riedel's Bolero Wireless Intercom System

Riedel Communications announces that Fondazione Teatro alla Scala has deployed a...

27/02/2026

Lyuno Leverages Dante AV for Synchronization of Audio and Video Content

Lyuno specializes in media localization, including translation, dubbing, subtitling, and voice-over services for a wide array of entertainment content. The comp...

27/02/2026

Chyron Releases Weather 2.3 with New Data and Automation Features

Chyron Weather 2.3, the latest edition of Chyron's weather visualization suite for broadcasters and meteorologists, recently launched. The release includes...

27/02/2026

Telestream Advances Production-Ready AI Across its Product Portfolio

Telestream, which concentrates in media workflow technologies, announces expanded practical AI enhancements across its Vantage, Vantage Cloud, EDC, Stanza, and ...

27/02/2026

Horizon Sports & Experiences, TOGETHXR Launch Joint Venture to Power Future of Women's Sports

Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E), a global sports marketing, media, and live ...

27/02/2026

NBC Reunites Bob Costas, Doug Collins and 1990s NBA Legends for Spurs-Sixers on March 3

Legendary sports broadcasters Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Mike Czar of the Telest...

27/02/2026

IndyCar Season Opener: A Look into the Productions' Fast-Track IP Transformation

Beginning on March 1st, IndyCar will be kicking off their 31st season on the str...

27/02/2026

SVG GameDay, Ep. 5: Philadelphia Eagles' Alessandra Lane Behind the Birds in South Philly

In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...

27/02/2026

Ratings Roundup: NBC Sports Takes Gold With Milano Cortina 2026 Viewership Hitting All Time Highs

Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...

27/02/2026

SMX League Partners with Owl AI as Official AI Trailblazer to Revolutionize Action Sports Technology

Owl AI a pioneer in artificial intelligence for professional sports, announces a...

27/02/2026

Formula 1 Re-Ups Broadcast Deals With beIN SPORTS in Asia, ESPN in Latin America/Caribbean,

With over 447 million fans in APAC, Formula 1 and beIN will continue to innovate...

27/02/2026

YES Network Spotlights Brooklyn Youth With Kid Reporter' Broadcast Initiative

12-year-old Noelle Taylor will be the Kid Reporter when the Brooklyn Nets host t...

27/02/2026

ESPN Explores New POVs With CapCam, EarCam for NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, College Softball

Entire CapCam system - including camera unit, RF transmitter, and battery - is h...

27/02/2026

32.6 Million Watch 2026 State of the Union Address

NEW YORK - February 26, 2026 - An estimated 32.6 million people watched President Donald J. Trump deliver the 2026 State of the Union address on Tuesday, Februa...

27/02/2026

Atomos Introduces Ninja RAW HDR Monitor-Recorder At CP+ Trade Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/02/2026

Scripps to Reacquire 23 ION Stations

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/02/2026

Survey: 88% of Sports Execs Bullish on Industry's Prospects

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/02/2026

Chyron Releases Weather 2.3 With New Data and Automation Features

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/02/2026

Samba: Essentials, Utilities Tally Most Ad Impressions in 2nd-Half 2025

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/02/2026

TVB: Linear TV Still King

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/02/2026

AJA U-TAP Helps Stary Technologies with Courtroom Evidenc...

Video is one of the lawyer's most powerful storytelling tools in civil litigation today, whether used to transport jurors to an incident scene or challenge ...

27/02/2026

Foundry releases Nuke 17-0

Creative software developer Foundry today released Nuke 17.0, the latest version of its powerful compositing tool for visual effects and animation. Marking one ...

27/02/2026

KRK helps Kryz Reid Keep Third Eye Blind Sounding Sharp O...

In a sun-drenched Los Angeles studio filled with guitars, laughter, and the low thrum of KRK monitors, Third Eye Blind's Kryz Reid balances rockstar energy ...

27/02/2026

Atomos Announces Ninja RAW Monitor-Recorder

Atomos announces the launch of Ninja RAW, a 5-inch HDR monitor-recorder designed to give filmmakers, content creators, and broadcasters an uncompromising and af...

27/02/2026

Marshall Electronics CV228 Lipstick Cameras Capture Criti...

FM, leaders in commercial property insurance, is utilizing Marshall Electronics CV228 Weatherproof Lipstick Cameras to capture critical fire testing data inside...

27/02/2026

Telestream Advances Production-Ready AI Across Its Produc...

Telestream, global leader in media workflow technologies, today announced expanded practical AI enhancements across its Vantage, Vantage Cloud, EDC, Stanza, and...

27/02/2026

Teatro alla Scala Elevates Backstage Communication with R...

Riedel Communications today announced that Fondazione Teatro alla Scala has deployed a comprehensive wireless intercom solution, leveraging Riedel's Bolero,...

27/02/2026

Live Sports on TV: Premium Moments at Scale in a Broadcast + Streaming World

From the Milan Winter Olympics to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the next Super Bowl, live sports continue to command global attention. Broadcast and streaming com...

27/02/2026

Telos Alliance Partners with College Radio Foundation to Show Love to College Broadcasters

Telos Alliance Partners with College Radio Foundation to Show Love to College B...

27/02/2026

Dandelion': Netflix Adapts Gintama' Creator Hideaki Sorachi's Debut Work into New Anime Series

Back to All News Dandelion': Netflix Adapts Gintama' Creator Hideaki ...

26/02/2026

NHL, Cosm Install C360 10.5K Capture Systems at All 32 Arenas

Multi-angle coverage, on-demand access to ultra-high-resolution video are provided for replays and clips across multiple distribution channels The NHL and Cosm...

26/02/2026

Advanced Systems Group Promotes Jody Boatwright to Chief Strategy Officer

Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, has appointed Jody Boatwright as Chief Strategy Of...

26/02/2026

TikTok, MLB Expand Multi-Year Global Content Partnership

As players report to Spring Training, TikTok and MLB announce an expanded content partnership bringing baseball fans around the world closer to the game through...

26/02/2026

Chyron Announces 2026 Designer of the Year Competition

Chyron announces its 2026 Designer of the Year Competition to be awarded during a live stream from the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas. This year's competition i...

26/02/2026

Appear's X Platform Now SRT Verified for YouTube Live Content Delivery

Appear, which specializes in live production technology, announces that its X Platform has been officially verified by YouTube for Secure Reliable Transport (SR...

26/02/2026

Adder Technology Enters New Era of Strategic Engagement with Launch of Customer Experience Center

Adder Technology, a specialist in connectivity solutions and high performance IP...

26/02/2026

Alcom Elevates Headend Video Service with Harmonic to Drive Growth

Harmonic announces that Alcom, a leading telco operator in Finland, is powering its next-generation white-label headend video service with Harmonic's XOS Ad...

26/02/2026

ESPN, Disney+ to Deliver More Banana Ball Games Than Ever as Collaboration Expands in 2026

ESPN, Disney , and the Savannah Bananas announce a 25-game exclusive package in ...

26/02/2026

SailGP Announces Broadcast Extensions with Globo and BandSports in Brazil for 2026 Season

Brazilian broadcaster Globo has returned as the official broadcast partner of th...

26/02/2026

NDI Appoints JRS as Official Distribution Partner for China

NDI, which concentrates in plug-and-play IP video connectivity, announces a strategic partnership with Jiaruisen (JRS), a Shenzhen-based technology distributor,...

26/02/2026

SVG Students To Watch: Noah Boudolf, Clemson University

The Charleston, SC, native has excelled as a live-camera operator on Tigers broadcasts In the live-sports-video industry, the future is bright. Our series SVG ...

26/02/2026

Behind The Mic: ESPN, Tennis Channel Sign New Deals for 2026 Tennis Analysts

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...

26/02/2026

SVG in Indy: Beyond the Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium Stays Busy With NFL Scouting Combine, NCAA Men's Final Four

Supported by partners, the in-venue production team keeps videoboard-show qualit...