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Automation in High-throughput screening
Posted on February 5th, 2010 No commentsDrug discovery uses the major amount of its resources for the high throughput screening. Based on specific probabilistic calculation, large experiments in HTS are performed by pharmaceutical and biotech companies to identify some molecules that could become drug after further long analyses. Robots are usually used in this complex process. It’s important that all data are generated in reliable and accurate manner in order to obtain useful results.
Robots can execute some passages: from serial dilution to reaction buffer disposal. In each of these steps, errors could be generated and, giving the small volumes in which HTS is usually performed, robots must be well calibrated in order to exclude the possibility to have this kind of problems. A lot of data arises from an HTS. Data management and statistical analyses are other key- steps for the high throughput screening. Thus, IT systems have not only to control robots to correctly work, but also help scientists to produce meaningful results from raw data. This kind of experiments are highly expensive and can be repeated only strictly necessary times. However, it’s really important to plan the experiment in the correct way and set up robot ant other IT systems involved into the process to obtain more data as possible. -
Pharmacological profile of Marijuana
Posted on November 16th, 2009 No commentsAncient Romains knew some pharmacological effect of Marijuana and have used it in their medicine. In the last time other positive effects have been identified for this plant. Unfortunately cannabis is often used out of medical control and is considered as a drug.
Specially young people prefers Marijuana to other drug, because the most recognized effect on central nervous system is an unusual happiness and appreciation of music, art and in general pleasure; furthermore it gives a relaxing sensation. The pharmacological reason for these effects is the distribution of cannabioidis receptors that are located in brain area involved in tension control, movement control and in the nucleus accumbens that is the pleasure centre of the brain. Marijuana is usually smoked and through this way it’s almost impossible to reach dangerous or lethal dosed from a pharmacological point of view. Of course the abuse of this substance causes a decreased attention that could be really dangerous if you drive. Other collateral effects are nausea and cardiovascular problems specially if it is assumed in presence of other drugs, such as cocaine. No correlation between marijuana and the use of other drugs has been identified, thus marijuana can not be considered as a passage- drug.
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