Conjugation News and Research

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Compounds that give citrus fruits their scent may affect gut health

A review published in Food & Function found that dietary terpenoids, naturally occurring compounds in fruits, herbs, and vegetables, can suppress inflammatory signalling and improve intestinal barrier function in laboratory and animal studies. However, human evidence remains limited to two small studies of geraniol-based interventions for irritable bowel syndrome, with further research needed to establish clinical efficacy, appropriate dosing, and long-term safety.

3 Nov 2026

High-dose taurine aggravates alcohol-induced liver injury, study shows

The researchers first tested whether taurine could compensate for reduced intestinal taurine availability and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage.

30 Sep 2026

Advances in chemistry and delivery are taking oligonucleotide medicines beyond rare diseases

A review in Cell Reports Medicine examines how advances in oligonucleotide chemistry and delivery have established ASOs and RNA interference therapies as a class of genetic medicines, with 21 oligonucleotides approved at the time of writing. It also identifies extrahepatic delivery, safety, target validation, individualized treatment, and data quality as priorities as the field expands into common diseases and explores AI-assisted development.

24 Sep 2026

Cooperative sperm may improve fertilization success across diverse arthropods

Fertilization is often imagined as a frantic race, with millions of sperm competing for a single prize. But new research by a team of evolutionary biologists from Syracuse University, University of Siena, Italy, and University of Szeged, Hungary, reveals a more surprising reality, where success can depend less on competition and more on cooperation.

31 Jul 2026

Natural compound puerarin may protect against cholestatic liver fibrosis

A recent study published in Current Molecular Pharmacology demonstrates that puerarin-a bioactive isoflavone derived from Kudzu root and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine-may offer significant therapeutic benefits against cholestatic liver fibrosis, a progressive pathological condition arising from impaired bile formation and flow that currently lacks effective pharmacotherapies.

25 Jun 2026

Synthetic biology platform unmasks hidden bacterial targets of bacteriophages

An interdisciplinary team of Rice University researchers has uncovered previously unknown relationships between bacteriophages - viruses that infect bacteria - and their bacterial hosts, offering a powerful new tool for next-generation microbiome engineering.

17 Jun 2026

Researchers isolate intact tumor microRNAs using antibody-conjugated nanowires

A research team in Japan has developed an efficient and minimally invasive cancer detection device that uses high-performance zinc oxide nanowires to selectively capture extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bodily fluids.

11 Jun 2026

Bioinformatics accelerates discovery of marine-derived bioactive therapeutic peptides

Marine organisms have evolved a remarkable arsenal of host-defense peptides under conditions of extreme variability and constant pathogen exposure. Generally defined as short chains of 2 to 20 amino acid residues, these molecules have become a focal point for biomedicine, food science, and materials science.

22 May 2026

Polymer-based immunotherapies enhance tumor targeting and immune activation

Conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, can reinvigorate T cells but typically benefit less than 30% of patients.

21 May 2026

How antibody-drug conjugates are redefining targeted cancer therapy

Antibody-drug conjugates are rapidly expanding cancer therapies, with 19 approved globally and many more in development, but their success depends on better targets, payloads, linkers, dosing, and patient selection. The Cell review shows that next-generation ADCs could widen treatment options, but safety, resistance, tumor heterogeneity, and clinical translation remain major barriers.

19 May 2026

Molecular gatekeepers in bacteria prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance

A new study finds that bacteria can actively block the transfer of beneficial genes to neighboring cells, using specialized proteins to specifically destroy shared DNA before it spreads.

25 Apr 2026

VALANX Biotech establishes Scientific Advisory Board to advance ADC therapeutics

VALANX Biotech (VALANX), a biotech company developing novel technology for site-specific protein conjugation in drug discovery, today announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), appointing John Lambert as Chair, with Morris Rosenberg and Peter de Waele serving alongside.

From VALANX Biotech 15 Apr 2026

Nanomedicine offers targeted solutions for breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer (BCA) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high mortality and morbidity in women.

10 Apr 2026

Aptamer Group launches targeted radiopharmaceutical program

Aptamer Group plc, the developer of next‑generation synthetic binders for the life sciences industry, today announced the launch of a new targeted radiopharmaceutical program in collaboration with Radiopharmium Ltd, a UK-based specialist consultancy in radiopharmaceutical development.

From Aptamer Group 18 Mar 2026

VALANX Biotech secures €3 million to advance LIV-1 ADC for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

VALANX Biotech (VALANX), a biotech company developing a technology for site-selectable, site-specific protein conjugation, today announced it has secured €3 million to advance its lead antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) program.

From VALANX Biotech 12 Mar 2026

Peptide-based platform marks a major step toward needle-free diabetes care

For more than a century, oral insulin has been considered a "dream" therapy for diabetes, hindered by enzymatic degradation in the digestive tract and the absence of a dedicated intestinal transport mechanism. Consequently, many patients must rely on daily insulin injections, which can significantly reduce their quality of life.

23 Jan 2026