Harvard Researchers Use DNA Nanoswitches to Speed Up Protein Interaction Drug Discovery

Scientists at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School have created a new drug discovery platform called FIND that could change how medicines are found. FIND uses DNA nanoswitches to screen large libraries of molecules for their ability to modulate interactions between two proteins. This approach differs from traditional methods that only look for molecules binding to a single protein target. By focusing on protein-protein interactions, which are crucial in many diseases but difficult to target, FIND can identify drug candidates that may be missed by conventional screening. The platform works by attaching the two proteins of interest to a DNA nanoswitch; when a molecule disrupts or stabilizes their interaction, the nanoswitch changes shape, allowing detection. This method is faster and more efficient, potentially accelerating the discovery of treatments for conditions like cancer and infectious diseases. The researchers believe FIND's ability to directly measure functional effects will lead to better drug leads and reduce failure rates in later stages of development. Overall, this innovation could make drug discovery more precise and open new avenues for targeting previously 'undruggable' protein interactions.