Search

Proteases are enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins and peptides; thus, they control virtually all biological processes. Our understanding of protease function has advanced considerably from nonselective digestive enzymes to highly specialized molecular scissors that orchestrate complex signaling networks through a limited proteolysis. The catalytic activity of proteases is tightly regulated at several levels, ranging from gene expression through trafficking and maturation to posttranslational modifications. However, when this delicate balance is disturbed, many diseases develop, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This new understanding of the role of proteases in pathologic physiology indicates that these enzymes represent excellent molecular targets for the development of therapeutic inhibitors, as well as for the design of chemical probes to visualize their redundant activity. Recently, numerous platform technologies have been developed to identify and optimize protease substrates and inhibitors, which were further used as lead structures for the development of chemical probes and therapeutic drugs. Due to this considerable success, the clinical potential of proteases in therapeutics and diagnostics is rapidly growing and is still not completely explored. Therefore, small molecules that can selectively target aberrant protease activity are emerging in diseases cells. In this review, we describe modern trends in the design of protease drugs as well as small molecule activity-based probes to visualize selected proteases in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LunAres Research Station is an analog research station for crewed space mission simulation, located at the abandoned airport in Poland. The facility provides full isolation, allowing for complex research on the psychological and physiological impact of long-term extra-terrestrial human presence. The general objective of LunAres is to create a research platform to support scientific and technological development in human space exploration. A broad range of specialists is involved in the study from fields like extreme medicine, psychology, biotechnology, robotics and engineering, sociology, architecture. The possible observation and control of the indoor environment, as well as telemetry of the crew's physical and psychological states, provide large quantities of data for complex studies. This paper presents an overview of the LunAres Research Station activity since its establishment in 2017. The contribution to scientific research and technology development is included. Based on the presented experience of carried missions and crews' feedback a roadmap regarding the station design advancement is determined. The decision-making process of development is presented finalized with the demonstration of the potential for future projects and studies regarding human missions and sustainability. The conclusions of upgraded functional plans and spaces were determined through research on existing references and the new strategy for LunAres. Detailed drawings regarding architectural and technical solutions as well as future steps will be introduced. • LunAres Research Station gathered feedback on infrastructure during conducted manned missions. • Analog missions can have a significant impact on pursuing SDG on Earth • Analog missions have can investigate the impacts of isolation during pandemic. • Human and environmental telemetry studies are essential for space missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]