RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17640 PROFILE

This project looks at how a drug called Dasatinib sticks to Abl kinase, a protein involved in some leukemias. Researchers want to see if computer simulations can find new ways for drugs to bind to Abl kinase, which could help develop better cancer treatments.

This is a project studying the binding of Dasatinib (sold as the drug Sprycel) to Abl kinase, the target of many leukemias.

While the binding of Dasatininb-Abl has been observed in other contexts, it remains unclear if parallel simulations will a) observe it more efficiently and b) observe other binding pathways that may be useful for leveraging in drug discovery projects.

This project therefore serves as both a technical test and scientific project.

Dasatinib

A tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia.

Dasatinib is a medication primarily used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a type of cancer that affects blood cells. It works by blocking the activity of specific enzymes called tyrosine kinases, which are involved in the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells.

Sprycel

The brand name for the drug Dasatinib.

Sprycel is a brand name for the generic medication Dasatinib. It's used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).

Abl kinase

A type of enzyme involved in cell growth and division.

Abl kinase is a protein that plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth and division. When it's overactive, it can contribute to the development of certain cancers, such as leukemia.

Leukemia

A type of cancer that affects blood-forming cells in the bone marrow.

Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. It disrupts the normal production of healthy blood cells, leading to an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.