Searching for the microbial treasure

New family of bacteria with high pharmaceutical potential discovered

17-May-2024 - Most antibiotics used in human medicine originate from natural products derived from bacteria and other microbes. Novel microorganisms are therefore a promising source of new active compounds - also for the treatment of diseases such as cancer or viral infections. A team from the Helmholtz ...

AI designs new drugs based on protein structures

“It’s a real breakthrough for drug discovery”: Process ensures right from the start that the molecules can be chemically synthesised

25-Apr-2024 - A new computer process developed by chemists at ETH Zurich makes it possible to generate active pharmaceutical ingredients quickly and easily based on a protein’s three-​dimensional surface. The new process could revolutionise drug research. “It’s a real breakthrough for drug discovery,” says ...

Fermentation revolution?

Trash becomes treasure as bio-waste yields valuable acetone and isopropanol

07-Feb-2024 - In a major stride towards sustainable industrial fermentation, a team of researchers at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in The Netherlands, has unveiled pioneering advancements in the purification of isopropanol and acetone from the fermentation of waste gases. The study, published in ...

Pharmaceutical research knocking on wood

Researchers establish green pharmaceutical production from wood waste

20-Nov-2023 - Sustainable and environmentally friendly production processes are playing an increasingly important role in almost all branches of industry. The production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in particular involves the use of various materials and reagents, many of which have environmentally ...

Green chemistry: BAM investigates pharmaceutical production without solvents and CO₂ emissions

Pharmaceutical production with mechanochemistry

28-Nov-2022 - The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is developing a more sustainable process to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients in a major EU project: The pilot project is intended to demonstrate the advantages of mechanochemistry for more environmentally friendly and CO2-neutral ...

More Sustainability with Mechanochemistry

Research project will develop new environmentally friendly methods for manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients using mechanochemistry as a disruptive technology

29-Sep-2022 - Flour, coffee or spices: Many people know the principle of a mill from the kitchen. But special mills are also used for research purposes in the laboratories of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. The scientists are convinced that mechanochemistry can make the chemical industry more ...

On our way to the bio-economy: High-performance biocatalyst discovered

Future applications primarily in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, but also in the synthesis of fine chemicals expected

22-May-2020 - In the bioeconomy, biotechnological processes are replacing processes that rely on fossil resources. Microorganisms and enzymes are being used in targeted fashion as biocatalysts for industrial production. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have now discovered an enzyme that offers great ...

Active pharmaceutical ingredients can persist in the environment

26-Jul-2019 - Homeowners who rely on private wells as their drinking water source can be vulnerable to bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants that have known human health risks. Because they are not connected to a public drinking water supply, the homeowners are responsible for ensuring that their own ...

Catalysts combination opens doors to making useful compounds

17-Aug-2018 - Researchers have developed a new method that aids in the process of making valuable compounds by using a unique combination of catalysts. Huimin Zhao, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and leader of the Biosystems Design research theme at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic ...

Tackling poor quality medicines

31-May-2018 - The proliferation of poor quality medical products (medicines, vaccines and devices) is an important but neglected public health problem, threatening millions of people all over the world, both in developing and wealthy countries. A recent report from the World Health Organization found that an ...