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Exploring the Impact of Drugs on Cellular Metabolism (Zampieri Lab)
Researchers in Mattia Zampieri's Systems Pharmacology and Biology of Metabolism lab have developed a novel method to study how thousands of active compounds simultaneously affect cellular metabolism. This approach offers new insights into drug interactions with metabolic processes and their potential applications.
Using a technique called high-throughput metabolomics, the team tested more than 1,500 substances on cultured cells. By analyzing changes in small molecules within the cells, known as metabolites, they mapped the metabolic effects of each compound. This method allowed them to generate detailed profiles of how more than 2,000 metabolites responded to treatment, providing a clearer view of each compound’s specific effects on cell metabolism.
The study, published today in Nature Biotechnology, also revealed surprising findings about existing medications. For example, a drug used to treat thyroid disorders, tiratricol, was found to affect nucleotide production, which is essential for DNA synthesis. This suggests that the medication might have potential applications in cancer therapy by targeting cancer cell metabolism.
The lab emphasizes that understanding how drugs interfere with metabolism can accelerate the development of treatments and uncover new uses for established pharmaceuticals. The long-term goal is to combine patient-specific metabolic data with these findings to identify the most effective treatment options for various diseases. Future research will also focus on how the human body processes these compounds, which plays a crucial role in determining their overall effectiveness.
The DBM congratulates the Zampieri Lab and all of its collaborators on this achievement.