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Introduction
The United Devices Cancer Research Project will advance research to uncover new
cancer drugs through the combination of chemistry, computers, specialized
software, and organizations and individuals who are committed to fighting
cancer.
The research centers on proteins that have been determined to be a possible
target for cancer therapy. Through a process called "virtual
screening", special analysis software will identify molecules that interact
with these proteins, and will determine which of the molecular candidates has a
high likelihood of being developed into a drug. The process is similar to
finding the right key to open a special lock — by looking at millions upon
millions of molecular keys.
Participants in the United Devices Cancer Research Project are sent a ligand
library over the Internet. Their PC will analyze the molecules using a docking
software called LigandFit by Accelrys. The LigandFit software analyzes the
molecular data by using a three-dimensional model to attempt to interact with a
protein binding site. When a ligand docks successfully with a protein the
resulting interaction is scored and the interactions that generate the highest
scores are recorded and filed for further evaluation.
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