Nanoscale High-Content Analysis, Article Review Example

An article published in Science Daily addresses the significance of G-protein-coupled receptors, which are reactive in nature and often respond to cannabis and other chemicals. Their ability to bind effectively to different types of substances is important because it contributes to an even greater potential to advance drug development more rapidly and perhaps more cost effectively (Science Daily). A new method has been developed that is designed to minimize waste in the use of protein samples, which are very valuable in the drug development process (Science Daily). It is believed that new types of advanced screens are available to determine how the G-protein binding occurs in order to accelerate drug development (Science Daily).

The article provides valuable information regarding the importance of advanced techniques in supporting a more efficient understanding of G-protein receptor binding to identify smaller samples for testing and possible inclusion in drug therapies (Science Daily). The article’s purpose is to explore this new method and to inform the reader that there are potential advantages that could expand the scope of drug development on many levels with an even smaller set of testing samples (Science Daily).

The strong points of the article include the promising discovery of G-protein-coupled receptors and how they might have a significant impact on the discovery of new pharmaceutical therapies using isolated protein constructs (Science Daily). This information strengthens the argument that new discoveries continue to be made that have a significant impact on drug development, but that new and emerging techniques are likely to be effective in improving efficiency in this regard (Science Daily).

The article appears to be somewhat limited on the details of the method that is referenced, perhaps because the article is brief and not comprehensive in nature. Therefore, the article does not convey a full discussion of the technique and how it might be effective in supporting drug development effectively. The original article by Mathaisen et.al provides a more detailed explanation of this technique.

If I were able to ask the authors questions regarding the article, I would ask why cannabis was specifically brought up as one of the chemicals to be examined, as there is little reference to it in the rest of the article. Perhaps this was introduced to generate interest in the article through its title, but to also aim to engage readers, even if the article does not address cannabis in sufficient detail. This appears to be used in order to grab the reader’s attention, but otherwise, does not have any real significance.

The next step in this project would be to address the issues that are relevant to the method under consideration and how it will meet the challenges of drug development and the issues that continue to emerge in this area. It is also important to provide an explanation of the technique and its benefits that is understandable for the reader and that improves the understanding of the screening tool and its impact on the drug development process.

Based upon the information provided in the article, I believe that it is important to continue to find new methods to promote efficiency in drug development, as this encourages scientists to explore new ideas and to facilitate changes that will have a positive impact on drug discovery. The cost of drug development is substantial; therefore, new techniques are important in this process. Nonetheless, they must be better understood and explained by the authors, with greater attention paid to the ideas that are presented in the article to reflect a more well-rounded approach to the topic.

Works Cited

Mathiasen, Signe, et al. “Nanoscale high-content analysis using compositional heterogeneities of single proteoliposomes.” Nature methods 11.9 (2014): 931-934.

“New knowledge of cannabis paves way for drug development.” Science Daily, 20 September 2014: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140908093735.htm